6 TIPS FOR COMMISSIONING ART
"Bull Market" by Pete Tillack
how to capture your story through custom artwork.
communicate that to the artist. If you don’t have reference photos, in many cases, the artist will go take their own if it’s of a particular place, person or animal. If it’s a portrait, they may ask to interview the person or have several sittings with them. Particularly, with portraits, artists want to capture the essence of that person and often that detail is in the slightest subtleties in the face. A combination of good reference materials and your candid feedback will be very important to creating a piece you are happy with. Tip 5: Trust the artist Ultimately, this is an endeavor of trust. Keep in mind you chose that artist for a reason. Trust them and their process and try not to put too many limitations on their creative freedom. Every good artist will put their heart and soul into creating something you will love, and they will bring you along every step of the way to make sure you are happy with the direction. Tip 6: Don’t be afraid to ask A commission can be as simple as changing the size, scale or color of a piece the artist has already created. Don’t be afraid to ask what is possible. Some artists have even collaborated on pieces to get the client exactly what they want. Commissioning art is an exhilarating experience and a unique way to memorialize a significant part of your life’s story. And you just might make a new lifelong friend out of the process.
true whether it’s simply tailoring an existing piece to your specifications or commemorating a specific person, place, time or event. Tip 3: Don’t overlook the details Be sure to discuss size and scale, color palette, framing, and timeline. Some artists will create small- or large-scale studies and color samples for you to approve first before they dive in with a full-blown work. Ask about their process and policies before you begin. Every artist will structure payment terms differently. Some require 50% at the start with the balance due at the end once you’ve approved the piece. Also check your state’s tax laws. In some states, commissions are tax free, but there are specific parameters that dictate what a true commission is. Timeline is also important. In some cases, particularly if you’ve commissioned a piece from a show, the artist may not be able to start the piece until after the show or may have a backlog of commissions to work through. If this is the case, it can be a couple of months to a year before you get your final piece. Just be sure to ask at the start so expectations are aligned. Tip 4: Provide as much information as possiblE If you have any reference materials like photos, share those with the artist and note things you like or dislike about the photo. For instance, if it was captured on a rainy day, but you want the painting to reflect clear, blue skies,
While every artist approaches commissions differently, there are some best practices to consider to get a custom piece of art you will love and
cherish for years to come –– and hopefully pass on to your future generations.
Tip 1: Align with the right artist One of the most important things to any commission is to trust the process and the artist. To do that, you have to find an artist whose work you like and feel will capture what you’re after. You may have a favorite abstract artist, but if you are looking for a highly detailed figurative piece, it’s often best for all involved to work with the artist who specializes in the style you’re after. Any good artist will know his or her limitations and will be upfront about what they can and cannot do. Don’t be disappointed if they don’t feel they aren’t the right person for the job. Being candid and transparent from the start will avoid costly mistakes and even bigger disappointments in the long run. Tip 2: Working with the artist The artist should spend the time to really understand what you are looking for and ask detailed questions. They are portraying a story and most artists will put a lot of care and time into this part of the process. Since they are working to transform your vision into a physical piece, they should ask a lot of questions. This is
Issue 3 | Winter 2023
Page 12
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