Hey team, I've run into an issue with an artist. 3 milestones: First, for concept art. Second, for rendering completion. Third, for final touch ups or last minute adjustments. Each milestone is an equal dollar amount, the milestones are essentially divided into thirds.
For the first milestone, the concept, I was very happy. Specifically pointed out all of the things I liked about it. Paid out.
The artist then took the project in what I thought was a fairly different direction, which I wasn't satisfied with at all. Communication of what I wanted had been clear, to the best of my knowledge, and the artist does admit they went on a little sideways, trying something different. No problem, it happens, it's part of the creative process.
Fast forward about a week, and the artist says they're having some issues they need to take care of, and thus need a hiatus from the project. They would also like to be paid for the second milestone now, because they have put in time and work on the project, even though I didn't like the direction it went, and won't be using any of it.
So it comes to this, they want to be paid the milestone for the time and work they have done, as part of the creative process, even though it went in the wrong direction. They've claimed they can come back and finish it (in an undefined amount of time) still, for the third and final payment, where things will supposedly be solved.
I however, don't want to pay the second milestone because I haven't gotten anything out of it, and I don't really want to wait for an undefined amount of time for my entire project to move forwards, either.
So I'm looking for advice. I respect an artist's time, but if I pay the milestone out I'll be empty-handed and out $$$ for nothing. I'm not sure if there's an Upwork policy, or etiquette, or culture, surrounding this kind of issue. Any help would be appreciated.
