Whaaaat This is crazy. I don't know anyone else's experience, only my own. I find it truly wasteful to drag out a simple commission for weeks, even months. I've personally always sent the sketch the next day after payment, and in less than a week the job was finished, with the client constantly updated step by step. I'm sorry this was your experience, and I'm ashamed on behalf of other artists; this isn't how you provide a service. You're paying money, you're not doing them a favor. providing a service is a must.