Susan Washington

Selling art you’ve already created is undoubtedly fulfilling, but the opportunity to create commissioned pieces for collectors can be equally rewarding. It allows you to expand your market while offering something unique and personalized. 

### Custom Artworks

Custom artworks (or commissions) are created upon request from a client. This request can come from collectors, advisors, companies, institutions, designers, or hospitality professionals.

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### Who Commissions Art and Why

**Collectors** may request commissions if they fall in love with an artwork you have already sold or need a custom size or color. They also may want to have personalized artwork to celebrate a milestone or commission a portrait.

**Designers** in the hospitality industry may request site-specific or larger artworks to accommodate specific spaces and scales. 

**Interior designers** in residential design may commission work that fits their own aesthetic and client designs. 

**Art advisors** often commission works with artists for their clients. Sometimes, their client is looking for artwork with a particular style or message from a reputable artist, and the advisor helps locate the right artist and helps work through the details.

**Businesses and corporations** may request commissions reflecting their brand identity, values, or themes. 

**Government organizations, museums, and public spaces** often commission artwork for public display. These commissioned pieces can serve as landmarks, focal points, or cultural contributions to the community.

### Balancing Requests and Your Style

Maintaining your style while accommodating client requests is vital. Set clear expectations and boundaries, communicate openly about your artistic approach, and ensure the client understands your creative process. This balance helps create a collaborative environment that preserves your artistic integrity.

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### Create a Commission Process 

When a commission request comes in, it’s important to have a defined process in place rather than searching around at the last minute so you can provide answers to the client. Consider the following steps:

**Responding to Requests**: Engage in a detailed discussion to understand client expectations, including style, size, materials, and palette. Most of my commissions are inspired by works already in my portfolio. To start off, we often go through my paintings and pick out the ones that resonate most with the client. Understand that this is often a big step for someone, so be patient and make sure you explain the process.

**Securing a Deposit**: Clarify the terms on an invoice, including pricing, revisions, shipping address and cost, and a deposit (typically 50%). Requiring a deposit ensures mutual commitment and reserves your time. Sometimes, artists prefer not to take a deposit and opt to just create the work. If the client decides not to purchase it upon completion, the artist will sell it elsewhere. Of course, if it’s a portrait or very personalized, you cannot go this route. 

**Mockups**: Some artists create a mockup to use as a guide, and others don’t. Decide what works best for you. Sometimes, it’s a good idea to ensure you are on the same page as your client and get them to sign off before proceeding. I often create a simple digital mockup that I use as a guide and send it for approval before I start work.

**Process Updates**: Share progress photos, particularly at the halfway mark, to get feedback before finalizing. Typically, I don’t share images during the early stages, as I believe that, as artists, we can envision the result while others may struggle to do so.

**Wrapping It Up**: Consider how you will present the artwork for final approval and the next steps. I share high-resolution photos and videos on my Google Drive. This part can be nerve-wracking for the artist as you wait to hear that they love the artwork. But, if you have openly communicated and did the proper planning, you will have a happy collector. Next, you can send the final invoice and wrap up the work securely. Don’t forget to include a Certificate of Authenticity and a personalized thank you note. Also, I always politely ask for photos of the painting in its new home and approval to share on my socials. 

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Offering commissions is a great way to expand your art community and enhance your revenue streams while providing your collectors something unique. It's important to remember that while creating art remains a personal endeavor, we can still offer commissions that fit comfortably into our values. Effective communication, customer service skills, and patience are crucial.

Commissioning a painting can be a significant step for clients, who may approach it with apprehension. As the artist, your role is to provide a fabulous work of art and a sense of confidence, ensuring they have chosen the right artist. Creating a positive relationship with the collector is essential, leading to their ultimate satisfaction, positive reviews, and potential referrals.

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Commissioning unique art allows artists to offer unique and personalized pieces, while expanding their market and fostering client relationships.

Creating Bespoke Artworks

Creating Bespoke Artworks

Anna Kalinitschenko

Christy Hopkins

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