Useful tips for commissioning an artwork from me
You’ve decided that you’d like to commission me to create an artwork for you, which is terrific! Before engaging me, I’d like to invite you to consider some points to assist both of us in making the process of creating something beautiful for you.
Why? Consider this scenario: someone has decided they need an outfit. They contact a shop, put in a request that states ‘an outfit’. No size, no colour, no identified purpose. You may find yourself in a similar place when requesting a commission, particularly if this is your first commission request.
In order to avoid this sort of scenario, I invite you to consider the following:
Do you have a particular image in mind or is it of a subject that you are happy to leave to me to choose an image?
Is it from a photograph that you would like to turn into an artwork?
Is the artwork to be of a specific subject? Do you have a number of images of the same subject? It’s worth showing me the different images as I see view them from a different perspective and can discuss with you the qualities of the images and which may suit the upcoming work best.
What size work do you want? Where do you see it ‘living’? Do you want it for a large space or somewhere small and intimate?
Materials – what kind of materials do you have in mind for the work? Acrylic paint on canvas? Graphite pencil on paper? Watercolour pencil on paper? Watercolour? Oil pain on canvas? Pastels? This is a consideration open for discussion if you’re unsure, as there may be options that haven’t been considered that may work well.
Developing the work. This is part of the planning process prior to commencement of the work. We talk through the expectations from both sides. It may/may not include sketches.
Do you have a deadline? A mutually agreeable delivery date will be scheduled in conjunction my current workload.
For artworks on canvas, think about whether you want the work to ultimately be framed. They don’t necessarily need to be framed.
Will you be organising the framing of an artwork or are you leaving it to me to arrange? If you’d like me to arrange this, there will be an additional cost for framing.
If you live either interstate or overseas, you will need to also include shipping and possibly import duties to the cost of the work.
A Commission Agreement stating the commission details, including costs, will be provided to you. This covers both you as the commissioner and myself as the artist.
A Certificate of Authenticity will be issued with the completed artwork.
Some additional considerations:
Please note that I do not create through AI, it’s all my own hand drawn or painted work. This takes time. My works can take anywhere from 20 to 60 hours or more to complete and will need to be scheduled in with my current workload.
You will be asked to pay a 50% deposit prior to commencement of the commission with payment in full (including shipping and any additional charges) to be paid prior to shipping the final work.
Acrylic paint works – I apply a protective coat of varnish in order to protect the paint from the elements (including UV light). Additional time is required to ensure the paint is fully dry before varnish application, as well as ensuring the varnish is dry before shipping.
Oil paint works – A protective varnish coat is also applied to a work done in this medium. However, it takes up to 6 months for an oil painting to dry completely prior to applying the varnish. Without the drying time, the varnish can make the painting cloudy and destroy the work.
Progress of the work – once the work has commenced, changes cannot be made. There may be a possibility that I make some subtle suggested changes if I believe the work will be enhanced. You will be consulted prior to any changes being made unless you have consented to giving me artistic licence to go with what I feel would be the best outcome for the work.
Copyright – note that I retain the copyright to all commissioned works, including all reproduction rights. No artwork created by me may be reproduced or altered without my written consent.