6 Steps To A Successful Art Commission
Artists often send work in progress photos during the art commission process.
Art commissions often scare prospective clients. Not knowing exactly what your artwork will look like in the end can feel pretty risky. But actually, it’s an incredibly rewarding and exciting journey — a true collaboration between artist and buyer.
Every artist has their own process of working with a client on an art commission. I’ve developed my own after years as a painter and nearly 100 commissioned paintings. What follows is a guide for people who are considering working with an artist on a commissioned painting.
In my next post, I will share my personal process of how I work with a client on commissioned artwork.
Step 1.
Get To Know The Artist
Getting to know the artist is giving yourself the opportunity to look at work the artist has done as well as getting a feel for his/her personality. You may love the artwork but don’t feel comfortable with the artist. Since this is a collaboration, it’s vital that you enjoy the artist you will be working with.
Step 2
Know The Cost
There should be NO surprises about how much your commissioned work of art is going to cost you. Unless you agree prior, an increase in price after the contract is signed is unprofessional and will certainly tarnish your relationship and collaborative process.
Step 3
Have A Contract
There should be a contract. A contract for commissioned artwork should include size of the painting, materials and mediums that will be used in the creation. It should also include an agreement on the color palette and a time frame for completion. Many artists include 1 or 2 reviews of the work while it’s in process. Making sure you are on the same page is essential.
Step 4
The Deposit
Artists generally charge a deposit of 30-50% up front. This covers research, materials and consultations. You will be expected to pay the balance before the hand-over.
Step 5
Ask Questions
Don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for tweaks this is why you will have a couple of meetings during the process.
Step 6
Enjoy your new and uniquely yours new art.
