Guidelines for Tandem Top Sketches
Added 2025-03-19 00:55:57 +0000 UTC
Thank you to those of you who support me at Tandem Top tier! Each month you're subscribed to this tier, you get to commission me a single-character Black & White sketch!
I'll be explaining the guidelines as follows for each sketch you provide!
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With Tandem Top sketches I just require 4 things!
1 - CHARACTER
2 - REFERENCES
3 - IDEA/POSE (Optional)
4 - FOLLOW THE DO'S/DON'TS
I'll explain what each of these entail!
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1 - CHARACTER
First and most importantly, the character! My Patreon charges on the number date you subscribed. Not the first of the month like other Patreons! When you subscribe or resubscribe, you will receive a DM from me. Or, you can send me a DM to notify me!
Once you were sent a DM, tell me what character you would like! Keep in mind that it is single-character. And they must be solo! I will not draw additional characters, even if they are small.
examples: "Can you draw Erza from Fairy Tail?" or "Can you draw my OC Syvlia?" or "Can you draw your OC Hotori?
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2 - REFERENCES
If you are requesting that I draw your own OC, or an OC of a friend, you must send me reference images. The best way to do so is to send me an imgur link in our DM here on Patreon, or to message me on Twitter/X with the images. (Be sure to notify me on Patreon that you have sent them to my Twitter/X, if you do this)
This will be stated in the do's/don'ts section, but the Tandem Top Sketch is not for designing. I will not design a brand new OC for you, nor will I draw OCs without reference images. A text description of the OC as the only reference will not suffice.
If the character is generally well known/easy to Google, I don't require that you send me reference images. However, you should do so if you had a particular outfit for the character in mind.
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3 - IDEA/POSE (Optional)
Typically, most Tandem Top members just want a character and they don't care what pose they are in/what they are wearing/etc. Which is fun for me, because it lets me choose whatever I like! However, if you have a specific idea or pose in mind, please let me know! The best thing to do is either leave it up to me, or to be very specific about what you had in mind!
examples: "You can draw the character in any pose you like." or "Can you draw her with her arms behind her head and winking at the viewer?"
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4 - FOLLOW THE DO'S/DON'TS
There is not many requirements I have. The main thing is just that it will be a single character. The character must be solo! So no floating hands or other appendages. As well as no other characters alongside them, even if they are small.
That's really all for the do's. But please note if your character is overly detailed, I may cut down on certain details or draw a small portion of them such as their shoulders and up.
Otherwise, here are the things I don't allow:
Gore
Horror
Anything illegal
Text
OCs without reference images
To further explain: I do not draw any gore. Nor do I draw anything related to horror imagery. I may draw a character from something horror related, but it's not likely. You're most likely better off suggesting a humanoid character like how I usually draw!
I also do not draw anything illegal. I understand that this is a broad statement, but if you have to question if your request is illegal or not, then you probably should not ask for it.
These next two are recent additions (as of March 2025). I will not draw any written text unless it is a part of the characters specific design.
example of something I DO draw: The "ROCK YOU" text on Sol Badguy from Guilty Gear's headband. Or, a company logo or phrase on a characters clothing.
example of something I DO NOT draw: A speech or thought bubble coming out of the character. Them thinking/saying something. Or, a noise such as "WOOSH" or "BOING"
Finally, I do not draw OCs without reference images. I love designing OCs, but your Tandem Top Sketch is not for that. If you would like me to design an OC for you, look out for when I open commissions. Otherwise, reference images of the specific OC character you want me to draw are required. (And as stated before, a text only description of your OC does not suffice as a reference.)
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As an addition important note, it should be said that I have the right to refuse your request if I am not comfortable doing it for any reason. If I have to refuse your request, I will be happy to compromise with a different idea.
I should also say, in the past I have colored Tandem Top Sketches in grayscale. Going forward, I will not be able to do that! The sketches will be just black & white lining!
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CONCLUSION
That's it! This may seem like a lot, but most of you already follow these without even thinking about it! I hope these all make sense, and if you have a question about your Tandem Top request, feel free to ask! Finally, I'll leave you with an example of a typical request that follows the guidelines.
example: "Could you draw Bulma from Dragon Ball wearing a Bunny outfit? I'd like her hands on her hips and winking at the viewer." or "Can you draw my OC Sally? I'd like her to be shrugging her shoulders and making a smug look. I'll send reference images in a moment." or "Can you draw Jessica Rabbit? Any pose is fine. I'd just like her to be in her main outfit."
Thanks again everyone!
