I understand that it's hard on you to make a beware as you'd like to keep it peaceful and still have hopes for the commission to be done, but bewares' main role aren't about giving an artist a bad name, but rather warning future commissioners of the artist to be careful considering buying from them, as they could end up in the same situation as you - waiting for years. The artist passed two deadlines and it been over a year, and if they're still avoiding you I highly doubt the commission would be finished anytime soon. An artist telling you it's gonna take more than half year to finish for you a drawing is exaggerated too, no matter how skillful they are in their art or how much details they put in it. If you haven't yet, send them a message you'd like a refund (they'll probably take a bit from it for the sketch if they showed you a picture of it) and send a beware to the website. It's not your fault but theirs - if they were overwhelmed with the commissions to the point that'd take them half year or more to finish each drawing, they should've organized their orders and maybe even cancel & refund some if they see that's impossible to work this way. The artist seem to most likely avoid returning payment, even if it means making costumers wait for years and avoiding them. Disappearing from the social media is also a big red flag - it might mean you're not the only one that been messaging them for not receiving your product. You'll be helping others potential commissioners to not fall victim for their commission progress.
I hope it helps, and I hope you'd receive a refund back.
Artist disappears and now is not responding now that they've reappeared
in Advice for Commissioners
Posted
I understand that it's hard on you to make a beware as you'd like to keep it peaceful and still have hopes for the commission to be done, but bewares' main role aren't about giving an artist a bad name, but rather warning future commissioners of the artist to be careful considering buying from them, as they could end up in the same situation as you - waiting for years. The artist passed two deadlines and it been over a year, and if they're still avoiding you I highly doubt the commission would be finished anytime soon. An artist telling you it's gonna take more than half year to finish for you a drawing is exaggerated too, no matter how skillful they are in their art or how much details they put in it. If you haven't yet, send them a message you'd like a refund (they'll probably take a bit from it for the sketch if they showed you a picture of it) and send a beware to the website. It's not your fault but theirs - if they were overwhelmed with the commissions to the point that'd take them half year or more to finish each drawing, they should've organized their orders and maybe even cancel & refund some if they see that's impossible to work this way. The artist seem to most likely avoid returning payment, even if it means making costumers wait for years and avoiding them. Disappearing from the social media is also a big red flag - it might mean you're not the only one that been messaging them for not receiving your product. You'll be helping others potential commissioners to not fall victim for their commission progress.
I hope it helps, and I hope you'd receive a refund back.