Comments on: A Framework for Accepting Art Commissions

By: Cleta Grant

Thu, 02 Aug 2018 15:50:56 +0000

This is all very interesting to me. And I searched on “commissions” because I am in the middle of one now for a lovely client…and it’s not going as I would like. I am at the point I always get to on a commission where I think I should just admit that I can’t do it. And then it happens. Things come together quickly and it’s done. I just have to remember that this moment is part of the process.

I have a love/hate relationship with commissions. They take me away from work I want to be doing for myself, but the $$ is great. Also – after 30+ years in the business world, I feel so privileged to be able to do what I’ve always wanted to do – create. So I do not have a contract, I do not charge 50% up front, and if the client likes it then they pay the agreed upon price. Timelines are mine to set. Anything else feels like I am back at work, dealing with contracts and other people’s money. yuck.

I realize I am in a minority here on the handling of commissions, but have had amazing (to me) success. The thing I struggle with is having too much information: colors of rooms, furniture, lighting, etc. TMI!! I paint non-representationally and my style is evolving; so my work that clients have seen elsewhere is not what I do now. And I am very clear about that. I ask them what it is about a certain work that appeals to them…color? composition? Once I have this info, I know how I did that and can work it in, but am very firm in managing expectations.

Great blog post – great information to see how other artists approach commissions.

]]>

By: Alyson Stanfield

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 18:11:31 +0000

In reply to Meg Black.

Meg: Thank you for sharing that experience. I hope your future commissions go smoothly.

]]>

By: Meg Black

Sun, 01 Jul 2018 15:15:00 +0000

I paint natural imagery and after years of working on commissions for private patrons, I had all but given up having had some pretty awful experiences. Most of said experiences have come from patrons wanting me to make changes to the agreed upon ideas which can add hours of work or to include imagery not in the original photos (dogs, sheep, even the sun setting in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean . . . think about it . . . ) to the painting. I have always included a contract, and receive 50% deposit, but several suggestions such as limiting how many of MY photos may be used, sending out the questionnaire and having potential clients visit my web site to review work they are attracted to (thank you Karen Scharer) address many of the issues I have experienced.

One thing I have learned is for most of the people who solicit me to paint a commission, it is their first time commissioning an artist and they really do need and appreciate the guidance. To add to the list of suggestions, I have a minimum price requirement for commissions. This ensures only serious inquires.

]]>

By: Robin Pedrero

Tue, 27 Feb 2018 18:30:26 +0000

I’ve learned over the years to listen and take notes right away. I ask a lot of questions too.
I really enjoy creating nature and landscape commissions. Although I have done many more portrait commissions, I selectively do less of those nowadays, unless there’s a lot of artistic license. Thank you kindly for the feature of my art “Envisage”.

]]>

By: Alyson Stanfield

Tue, 27 Feb 2018 03:41:18 +0000

In reply to Katherine Spandidakis.

Good luck, Katherine.

]]>

By: Katherine Spandidakis

Tue, 27 Feb 2018 01:12:35 +0000

Great post! I normally do paintings as gifts for friends and family, and I often am told I should start doing commissioned works, but I never really know where to start. I’ve recently just started up a blog of my own, so hopefully through its development I will be able to branch out into commissioned work.

]]>

By: Jodie Schmidt

Fri, 23 Feb 2018 14:13:09 +0000

In reply to Alyson Stanfield.

I’m very new to making custom art, so I am still learning about all the things to talk about beforehand….Previously art has been a hobby, but I am trying to take it to a more professional level. I had never had the experience of someone asking me to copy another artist’s book cover until recently and I decided to make it part of the contract that I don’t copy anyone’s art for custom work. Usually, people just say, can you paint my dog, cat or child from this photo, r some variation of that…Hope that helps to explain.

]]>

By: Alyson Stanfield

Fri, 23 Feb 2018 04:03:50 +0000

In reply to Pauline Johnson.

Pauline: It would be great if the two of you could work it out. So many children’s books have author + illustrator collaborations.

]]>

By: Alyson Stanfield

Fri, 23 Feb 2018 04:01:25 +0000

In reply to Jodie Schmidt.

Jodie: Thank you for sharing that experience. It’s interesting you put that language in a contract because that is usually discussed before a contract – before the arrangement is agreed upon.

]]>

By: Alyson Stanfield

Fri, 23 Feb 2018 03:59:42 +0000

In reply to Ellie Harold.

Ellie: I hope you find a way to make it work for you.

]]>