How to commission a painting
How does it work?
It’s really exciting commissioning your own painting and when you’ve decided that I am the right artist for your commission there are a number of things that we need to do and things that you need to know. The following is a guide through the process, although you may have other questions which you can send by email or we can talk on the phone on 07816 391643.
Get in touch with me to discuss the process. I'll help you choose the size, orientation, (portrait or landscape) and colour scheme. Whether you want a pictorial piece such as portraiture, a landscape or an abstract piece enter your requirements in the form below.
What genres or styles?
I paint portraits, animal portraits, and abstracts - usually in a loose, expressionist style.
What medium do I use?
I mainly work in acrylics. I don't do watercolour paintings.
What can I commission?
Ask for anything! From portraits of your family, your pet, a landscape or an abstract to fill the empty spot above the fireplace.
How will your painting reach you?
Your painting will be carefully and lovingly packaged to ensure it arrives in perfect condition.
Your certificate will be in the package along with your original photographs if they are the source material. If it's a gift it comes gift wrapped, although you will be able to look at and re-wrap it.
It will be sent by courier delivery service so it is important that someone is available to receive it.
How much will it cost?
Costing out a commission of a painting is all about the complexity of the image, and depends on the subject, size and detail.
Prices for commissions start at £400. I will
always confirm the price with you before starting the work.
How and when do I pay?
After we have agreed the deadline, brief and size I take payment in full by PayPal or credit card.
How long does it take?
It usually takes 4 weeks to complete a commission once all the details are agreed. This is to fit into a schedule, so if your painting is for a specific event or a gift such as a birthday, please remember to allow enough time for the painting to be completed and delivered for the special day.
All paintings come with a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist. This also shows who owns the painting, so if it is a gift, let me know what name
to use.
Reference images
To get the painting you deserve, it is essential that you provide high quality imagery for reference. The photographs should be clear, sharp and not fuzzy or blurred. If it is for a portrait, the person must not be obscured at all. Images taken on digital cameras are preferred.
It's also important we understand what outcome is expected. Sometimes the reference might be of a person for a portrait and in keeping with my style the background will be abstract and colourful in nature..
Reproducing the image and
intellectual property
Although the customer (that's you) owns the painting, the intellectual property remains with the artist (that's me) and I am allowed to reproduce the image, as a limited edition print for example, but I felt that commissions should be exclusive to the commissioner (that's you again) and will not reproduce the image. Should you want to reproduce the image, that would only be possible with permission from me as the artist. The simple and fair solution if you did want to reproduce the image, is to ask me to arrange it for you. I can provide a small limited edition print run individually signed by the artist (me) if you wanted to share it with your friends and family, for example.
Can I return a commissioned artwork?
Unfortunately returns of commissioned artwork are not accepted.
How big do you want your painting?
Stretched canvases come in various sizes. The standard sizes I work in are, from A3 (420 x 297mm) to A0 (1200 x 841mm). In between these sizes there are both square and rectangular formats. You can choose your size on the order form. Should you require a bespoke size, even if it's larger than A0, let me know the dimensions in mm and I can stretch canvas to your requirements. Please note this will incur an additional cost.
Canvases come in these standard sizes:
Getting started
Go to My Commission in the dropdown menu at the top of the page where you where you can fill out the order form with your contact details, describe in detail what you require, letting me know the subject, size, colour scheme, and orientation, and upload your high quality images.
I will then contact you to discuss your requirements and price.
Once your job is accepted and payment received, I'll start to work on your artwork and keep in touch giving you regular updates via email and also notify you when its complete and ready to ship.