Commissioning artwork from an artist is not as hard as you think. And honestly, it’s one of the best ways to get a unique, one-of-a-kind piece on your walls that nobody else has.
There’s also something incredibly rewarding about supporting local artists. The feel-good factor can’t be beat. I do love mass-produced art, don’t get me wrong. And we specify it often. But when selecting multiple art pieces for a home I like to include an original artwork if the budget allows.
And that’s the other thing: it’s not as expensive as you think. With all that in mind, I’ve reached out to some local artists we’ve worked with to impart some advice, along with my own, on how to commission art the right way.
Enjoy the read and drop me a comment at the end of the post if you have any questions.
Commissioning an Artwork Starts with a Brief
Don’t worry, you’re not preparing a 20-page dossier. You’re essentially giving the artist some guidance on what you’re looking for. As Melbourne abstract artist Catherine Hiller explains, it may include a few things to help guide the artist on the vibe you’re after.
“Usually clients come to me because they like my particular style of painting and I take a detailed brief, which may include photos of their interior, material samples and a mood board,” Catherine explains.
Don’t worry if you don’t know exactly what you want, either. Reach out to the artist with some details – even if limited – and they can go from there in helping draw out what you’re after.
You Can Allow the Artist Free Reign to Create Something Magical
If you’ve spent time lusting after an artists work, it’s likely you might not feel the urge to be too specific with the brief. You might prefer to let the artist have at it, which can also result in a commissioned piece that’s mind-blowing.
“My clients have as little or as much input as they like,” Melbourne abstract artist Fern Siebler explains. “I have some who say ‘go for it – do whatever you like’ and others who have specific colour palettes. We work together to recreate a new painting with those colours, or perhaps in a different size”.
Remember That a Commissioned Artwork is Not a Copy
Remember, commissioning artwork from an artist means the piece is not a replica of their other works. The artist is carving out something from scratch for you.
It might take cues from their existing or past works, but give them the space to create something new. Let the expert do the experting!
“Many art lovers fall in love with particular original paintings of mine which have already found their forever homes” Chalie Macrae, a Melbourne abstract artist tells me. “It’s important for clients to not get attached to a previous work and understand their painting will be unique and not a copy of another.
It’s important to me that every client receives a truly original work, so every painting is unique”.
Be Honest with What You Want
The artist you’re commissioning work from wants your direction. You love their work, but explaining what colours you might want to avoid, or describing a mood you’re going for can be helpful in ensuring you’ll be pleased with the end result.
You’ll also need to outline things like the size of art and frame colour you want to go with.
“I often hear people are nervous or concerned to approach an artist if it’s their first ever commission,” Fern says. There is absolutely nothing to be scared of. I’m here to help you through the process of creating a piece of art just for you, that you will love for years to come”.
That Said, Be Respectful of the Artist’s Style
It probably goes without saying, but when commissioning a custom artwork from an artist it’s important that you allow them to stay within the art style they specialise in.
“Don’t ever ask an artist to reproduce someone else’s artwork or to work in a style that’s not theirs,” Catherine advises. “Believe it or not, this happens a lot – I always redirect them to the artist they are showing me a photo from”.
Fern agrees; “I only take on commissions that I am confident match my unique artistic style, so I know I can produce something wonderfully perfect!”
Not the Best Communicator? There are People to Help You
Commissioning artwork from an artist does require some level of back and forth. And understandably, using the right words to describe what you’re after can be tough if you don’t have an artistic background.
Luckily, interior designers like myself can help you if you’re working with one. But there are also galleries like Bluethumb who stock work from thousands of artists and can help facilitate the art commissioning process for you if you need.
“The Bluethumb team is always on hand to assist with any questions and help guide you through the commission process,” explains Head of Art Advisory Alexandra Guglielmino. “With all correspondence going through Bluethumb, our team can review, jump in, and assist if required”.
Visiting the Artist In-Person Can Be Helpful
“Seeing art in real life is a totally different ballgame to online – the textures, sheens, colours and metallics will look a million times better,” Fern Siebler says.
Having visited artists in their studio with my design clients, I can attest to the meeting helping you connect to the artist and get a feel for their work. Catherine, whose work I’ve commissioned before, agrees.
“It’s important to talk to [the client] as I get a feel for their personality,” she says. “My work is very much about energy and I can get a feel for their energy and the vibe they wish to create within the commission”.
Don’t Live Near the Artist? There are Workarounds
Wondering how to commission art from an artist you don’t live near? Don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to ensure a successful engagement. Chalie, Fern and Catherine have all done plenty of artwork commissions without seeing the clients in-person.
“I have done plenty of international commissions; online and over the phone works just as well, it’s all about getting a very precise brief,” Catherine says.
For Chalie, there have been times where someone has commissioned her art for a family member she’s never met.
“I was contacted by a husband to commission a painting to surprise his partner at a commemorative celebration. He and her family were all involved behind the scenes, sending me images of the space, responding to my email updates. I was on a Facetime call with the family when it was unveiled at the party”.
Every Artist Prices Art Commissions Differently
Many artists who you approach for a commissioned artwork price their one-off creations similarly to their existing work. Others charge a little more due to the added time it takes to communicate through the process and make revisions.
It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, so reaching out to the artist to ask them about the pricing is another important first step. The size of the artwork you’d like is an obvious factor in how much the price will be.
Using the artists current pricing on their website is a good way to gauge the ballpark of what your commissioned piece might cost.
Commissioning Artwork from an Artist Takes Time
Artists are working solo, after all. They can’t delegate their creativity to someone else. With that in mind, give them the time needed to complete your commissioned artwork.
As a self-confessed slow painter, abstract artist Fern Siebler says that it’s definitely a process you don’t want to rush.
“Artworks come from the heart and soul of an artist,” she explains. “I personally can’t simply rush or speed up my process. I take my time, and create something I love, ensuring that my clients love the end result too”.
The Artists Painting Style Also Affects Timeframes
Many abstract artists are applying layers and layers to the canvas, and so drying between each one extends the time it takes to complete your commissioned artwork too.
“I work with oil paints, and my work is very layered, so there’s a fairly lengthy drying process,” Catherine explains. “I may be working on several commissions at the same time, so it usually takes between eight and 12 weeks to complete a commission”.
Chalie explains that there are supplier and material timeframes that are out of the artists control. Ultimately, giving the artist space allows for the best end result.
“I never, ever rush any painting, as I believe you can see it on the canvas. And I would never want my clients to feel that when welcoming the painting into their home”.
The Artist Will Update You Throughout The Process
Commissioning artwork from an artist is an exciting process. Understandably though, you might feel nervous about what it might look like when it arrives. To allay those fears, most artists will update you throughout the process.
“I keep my clients updated throughout, so they are generally not surprised with the final painting as they’ve been a part of the journey seeing it evolve in my studio,” Chalie explains. “Minor accents can be added towards the very end if a client desires”.
Catherine has a similar approach.
“I am confident that the client will like the end product. With my work being so layered there’s also always room for feedback and touch ups at the end of the process to meet the client’s wishes”.
A Commissioned Artwork Represents a Connection Between You and the Artist
As I said at the start of this blog post, there’s nothing quite like have a commissioned artwork on your walls. It’s unique, reflective of you, and something that’s far more personal that you can connect with for years to come.
“Having commissioned work is a beautiful and personal process between the artist and the client,” Catherine says. “It is a meeting of both their energies and the result will be a unique piece that will give personality to their home and that they can cherish forever”.
Chalie adds that, “accepting a commission is always an incredibly rewarding experience. It also fosters a unique connection between me and the client which adds depth and significance to the piece”.
- For more on Fern Siebler’s art commission process
- For more on Catherine Hiller’s art commission process
- For more on Chalie Macrae’s art commission process
Got any questions on commissioning artwork from an artist? Drop them below and I’ll endeavour to answer them for you.
