I think that at this point we should move the conversation away from artists severely undercharging, which always comes with valid excuses of not having the following or skill to raise prices, to “it is okay to not take commissions until your skillset and following base is ready”

you should wait until people want your work, and that doesn’t even necessarily mean you need a ton of followers, either. there just needs to be a demand, even if small, to justify the supply or else you’ll spread yourself thin marketing yourself to an unreceptive audience

offering commissions doesn’t make an artist any more real. it is okay to not monetize a hobby. your passion and skill will get you there, but subjecting yourself to the torture of “begging for crumbs” (a common phrase I hear in regards to this) will only make you resent your art