But if you're looking for original artwork, you 
are also looking for a talented *artist*, not 
just with painting fancels (which are basically 
just a trace job of someone else's art). 

I agree with what Requiem and Ms. Poe said, and 
that is to do research and scope out what 
everyone has to offer - and not just 
commission/sale sites either. Look at gallery 
collections, too. Some people paint fancels for 
the heck of it, without having a commission page 
(X, Celtryant, Lady Brick, Nabs-chan, ix etc.), 
and might do you one if you ask nice enough! ^_^

My recommendations for fancel artists with 
commission sites:

Leandra aka genrou - Baka Neko Fancels
http://www.lvcm.com/genrou

I love Lia's work. She manages to mix perfect 
colors, and handles dark hues very well. 
Depending on what you want done, I'd recommend 
her for something more "moody". She paints 
stright details well, too. I find she has the 
best prices, as well.

Her original art is good, and judging by those cg-
samples, she could definitely do you a wonderful 
big-eyed CLAMP-style girl! ^_~


Amy and Jenny - Eyegrey
http://www.niisan.com

I haven't commissioned a cel, but Amy painted me 
a BIG Olba Frost on canvas (not original pose, 
but modified - holding a gun^^) Amy and Jenny 
offer professional work on studio-quality 
products. Their fees are (in comparison to others 
and depending on what you want) mid-priced to 
high, and you do have to pay up front.

They say on their site they won't do originals, 
but I know Amy does fantastic original fan arts - 
I've seen some of her CG samples. She's also so 
far one of few fancel artists I've seen draw more 
fuller original figures/poses (not just face 
shots). They're always busy, but you could ask.

And then someone who probably needs no 
introduction:

Requiem - Darkside Millenium
http://www.darksidemillenium.com/cels/

If you look on her fifth gallery up top, you'll 
see the original Olba Frost I commissioned from 
her! I was very, very happy with how he turned 
out, and she painted it beautifully - her colors 
are always really vibrant and bright. Requiem is 
very easy to work with, prices things decently 
for what she offers, and never leaves a 
dissatisfied customer.  

Well, I babbled enough. I'll post the original 
Olba Frost that Requiem did for me so you can see.
Good luck, Drac! ^_^

~ keeper

postscript --> I don't mind painting fancels for 
others, either ^_^ All of my newer/better fancels 
can be viewed at my gallery linked above. I use 
to do original fantasy/sci-fi for 
EllenMillionGraphics.com when I had more time, 
and pasteled equine portraits. Now I just pencil 
anime fanart. *shrugs* 

My fanart sketches can be see for a limited time 
(I'm deleting this site as I don't draw enough to 
keep it well updated - right now it's a lot more 
of my older works) here: 
http://www.ryuseisui.net/neverwhere/shadows