I'm going to make a quick thread on some tips when commissioning someone cause I'm getting a little exhausted of watching artists get beat up for issues that aren't necessarily their fault:

Clear communication! When you commission someone be very open and to-the-point about what you want, and if you don't have any specifics, tell the artist you're open to them taking some liberties with the piece (but if they do, you can't police that! You let them!)

References!! Send the artist lots of relevant references. Artists don't need 5k words on the characters personality and they don't need 40 pictures describing a piece of jewelry they keep In their pocket. Tell artists something useful like eye color, clothing type.

If you want precise details, let them know before they add finishing touches. It's difficult to change the line art when it's like 13 layers deep into coloring. Didn't catch a mistake until the piece was finished? Learn to live with it or pay extra for adjustments.

Artists have their own unique style, you should be commissioning them because you want to see your piece in that style, not because you want them to conform to your personal style. If you get mad at stylistic choices you picked the wrong artist!

artists aren't psychics, so if you don't tell them about details they won't know, but they also don't have time to mull over 50+ Reference pictures to get every little accurate thing down unless you're really paying them that good. Let artists breathe during the piece.

I'm sure I'll think of more but in the end just remember artists are people and they're working hard to bring your image to life. Be patient and be respectful with them. Ripping into an artist for messing up something that could easily be your fault is rude af!

these are geared towards drawn commissions but the principle applies to all forms. It really comes down to clear communication, patience, and paying them for their hard work.