The art of the commission
Although I don’t often work to commission, when the right project comes along it can be a deeply rewarding and inspiring process; from a private commission for a family home, an artwork for a public space or even creative resources to be downloaded and used for a community art project.
As an abstract painter, the starting point always has to be that my painting resonates with the client. The emotion, the painterly qualities, my use of colour; this is the catalyst from which new work evolves.
Commissions start with a conversation. A discussion about the vision and feeling, alongside the logistics of scale, location, medium… For a public project this can then lead to a period of research and wider consultation.
Below of are two examples of commissioned work (one private, one public) followed by a quick ‘how to’ guide of things to consider if you’re thinking of commissioning an artist yourself - I hope you find it useful.
A painting for a private home
This painting was commissioned by clients for their home. They had known my work for a while, and visited my studio. Although they loved my work, they wanted something created just for them - and the perfect size for the location they had in mind.
The brief was to create feelings of balance and positivity- a representation of friendship. We chatted, I wrote notes and ideas began to form. I began by drawing ideas and selecting a colour palette. The client trusted me and my vision, and I supported that by sending images of the work in progress so they could feel part of the process.
The finished painting, framed and ready to hang in the clients home.
An image, mid-process, that was shared with my client
I began with sketching ideas, and the concept of ‘balance’ came to the fore…the repeated motifs of the vessels - the nod to water, flow and freedom. The client was updated at key stages, firstly with a series of sketches, then with the first stage of the painting on canvas. They knew the direction the work was taking and there was trust in me to paint unhindered.
Artworks for a public space
The JHRT Folk Hall, York
In 2019 I worked on several arts projects for the Jospeh Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT). I was commissioned to create a collection of artworks for their newly renovated grade II listed community centre. I was to celebrate the heritage, locale and social importance of the Rowntree legacy, but to avoid using ‘chocolate box’ imagery- either literal or metaphorical.
This project began with research and archives; finding images and stories that I could develop. In total I created 5 pieces, including a map painting and a mixed-media collage panel. I also created dozens of smaller drawings and paintings that I used as illustrations on cushions for the venue.
For a large project like this there is opportunity to work across a range of media - I painted, made drawings and created typographic designs. I had original paintings printed onto textiles and I commissioned local artisans to create small decorative objects such table vases. I even advised on upholstery fabrics and wrote an information board for visitors - projects like this draw on a wide range of skills.
Install view of the map painting. Painted on a canvas designed to fit above built-in seating.
A mixed-media panel, themed on the building works, with specially commissioned clay tiles dug from the village. The cushions also feature my drawings and paintings of the building-works and floor-plans of the houses.
How to commission a painting
If you’re thinking of approaching an artist for a commission (either myself or someone else) here’s my guide on what to expect.
First, find your artist! Visit galleries, look online, visit websites and check out instagram for ‘behind the scenes’ images of artists and their processes.
Visit an Open Studio event or arrange a one-to-one visit (or call) if there’s an artist you’re particularly interested in. Trust your gut - do you love their work, are you excited to own a piece by them…the process should be a really enriching experience!
Not all artists work to commission, some only very selectively and might not advertise…but if there is an artist you love then ask, the worst they can say is no. If it’s a yes though, ask them about availability and prices - if you’re happy to proceed then the next step is the contract.
Getting all the T’s and C’s down at the start saves any misunderstandings or upset further down the line. It’s worth doing this first, especially when you might be investing hundreds, if not thousands, into purchasing an artwork.
Professional artists should always offer a contract. This is to protect both you (the client) and the artist themselves. Contracts can often be tweaked case-by-case, but I would recommend you make sure you’ve covered the following points…
The T’s and C’s - Start with size, medium and number of artworks. Ask about framing (is that included in the cost or will it be extra?), hanging or display systems (do you need expert advice?) and materials (are you specifically wanting an oil painting or are you leaving it up to artist to decide?). Your artist will then be able to provide you a quote and schedule of work. You can then discuss areas such as in-progress check-ins - are you wanting to see the work during creation? Your contract should also include info on ownership (ie. that the work remains the property of the artist until full payment is made), the cancellation policy (if either the client or the artist needs to cancel) and copyright.
The Cost - Costs vary a lot depending on the artist and the scale and type of the commission. You need to know the total price for the work as well as any ‘extras’ such as delivery, install costs or framing. Depending on the artist, the total fee might then be broken down into a payment schedule.
Research and Source Material - This is really dependent on the type of commission you're wanting and you need to talk this through with your artist. Some commissions will require the client to provide images (source material) this might be in the form of good quality photographs. It might be necessary for an artist to visit a specific location (are their travel costs included in the fee?). Other commissions simply occur after your initial conversation and the artist then gets to work in their studio.
Payment Plan - A commission will often be broken down into instalments, starting with a non-refundable deposit - The artist will expect this before they begin work. The balance is sometimes then split depending on the size/ time-scale of the commission. Remember the painting doesn’t belong to you until the balance is paid in full!
Timescale - You’ll want a date for the completion, but you might also have dates for seeing ‘in-progress’ images - some clients want to see images mid-way though a project, others don’t! Make sure you talk this through with your artist - and factor in things like drying time. An oil painting for example, could take around 6 months after completion to be dry enough to frame and install.
Communication is Key - Make sure you know how to be contacted and how (and when) to contact your artist. If unforeseen circumstances arise (on either part) having an honest and prompt conversation, along with referring to your contract, can be a lifesaver.
The Handover - You’ll have asked about delivery and collection options and if you need help to install your work, at the beginning of the process. So when the work is ready and you have paid in full, the artist will handover the work - it’s yours! They should provide you with a receipt of payment along with a signed and dated Certificate of Authenticity - you keep both documents as proof of provenance.
Enjoy the Process - If you’ve taken your time and are happy with your contract and most importantly are truly excited by your artists work and vision, then a collaboration between client and artist can be amazing. Get the t’s crossed and i’s dotted before you begin, then relax and enjoy! Owning an original artwork created especially for you is a wonderful thing and investing in an artist and supporting their career allows them to develop their practice.
If you’d like to discuss a possible commission with me or need any further info then do get in touch. I can provide availability, time-scales and estimates upfront so you have a clear idea of what’s possible. If you’re local to me then I recommend a studio visit, if not, a zoom call to discus ideas is always a great way to start.
