Clients are often as nervous of commissioning a painting,
as we artists are of accepting them.
As an artist you have to get inside the clients head to understand what they have in mind, whether it be for private or commercial purposes.
Recent Commission, "Night Light, Nocturne"
Focusing on the private commission process, I have accepted a number, over my 26 years as a professional artist, a variety of subjects have included homes, hotels, Cromer Pier, holiday homes, portraits, favourite landscape and cityscapes...... but never pets !
A Contract means you both understand the process and creates boundaries
There should always be a contract in place, agreeing, price, size, materials to be used, the number of consultations included, realistic deadline, retention of artist's rights, quote without a frame,
Take a deposit that covers your materials, time and costs. I take 50%, non returnable, of the quoted price
Remind the commissioner that they chose you for the work because they saw your style and liked it, so not to expect you to produce a totally different piece of work. Be true to yourself
I work from my own sketches and photos or from life, then there is no argument of who owns the copyright.
Early in my career I nearly completed a commission for a big trans-europe train company, I had the tickets to travel to sketch and paint on the trip to produce designs for notebooks. Two days before the trip their commissioning officer rang me, to discuss copyright and ownership of the original paintings.
I had recently attended a lecture concerning both from Fig Taylor, her name has stayed with me for over 18 years, which gave me the armour to protect myself. That call ended with me losing the commission and a trip on a posh train, but with my professional pride intact, I wasn't as green as they had thought.
I went through a few years of not accepting commissioned work, they can be exhausting, you can't put in any less of yourself than you do your speculative work.
One reason I started again, since moving to France, I have met with clients who are more understanding of the value of a unique piece of art
Limiting my painting commissions to 3 a year, I don't spend my life in a sense of panic,
Will they like it?
Have I got their vision down?
Have I been true to myself?
Am I going to achieve the deadline?
My main medium is oil, planning ahead is essential, allowing at least 3 months for the work, with consultations; then the drying process before varnishing and framing.
Clients often ask Why does a commissioned piece cost more than an off the wall work?
Read on and you will understand more ....
Painting Process
1. Discussion. If the commission is a favourite location visit with the client find out what draws them to the venue, any highlights they want including - consultation 1
2 Artist's Proof. When working in watercolour I will create a rough sketch of what I have in my head,
if the commission is in oil I will create a watercolour sketch. E-mailing it to the client, to make sure we are in agreement on the view, and points to be included
Watercolour proof for Oil commission
3 Adjustments to artist's proof if necessary Consultation 2 *proofs are property of the artist*
Under painting of Commission, testing perpective and adding r/h building on clients request
4 The final piece. send progress reports to the client at each stage, so that any alterations are not a shock at the end of the piece. - Consultation 3
Final Painting - hanging framed - when a client is moved to tears of joy you have got something right
E mail makes consultation easier keeping contact short, outside the three consultations advise clients any extra time will be calculated at your hourly rate.
You could be creating your best work whilst they are taking up your time.
If you would like to commission a painting, or to receive a copy of my contract and price list
please message me via my contact page
Thank you for Reading
Linda ©25/10/2025 All Rights Reserved
Linda H Matthews Artiste Peintre.
