If you are interested in commissioning an artist to make an art commission for you then at this stage you will probably have a vision for the artwork that you want. You may have also found the perfect artist for the style of your commission. So, the big question is, how do you ask the artist for an art commission online or even in person?
A lot of people do ask the question where can I commission art?
If it is the first time you are considering commissioning a piece of art then it can feel intimidating but I can assure you that it’s not so bad. Having your very own art commission made can actually be a really fun and fulfilling experience because you were part of the creation process of that artwork.
So how does art commission work? I have put together a guide as to how to have your custom piece of art made by an artist and have a happy experience.
The initial contact with your commission artist is important
The first thing to do is contact your chosen artist to see if they are taking on art commissions. Most artists will be easy enough to contact via their websites or social media pages.
The best thing you can do is to approach the artist with a polite well written brief message because you never get to make a first impression more than once. You never want to message an artist and bluntly ask how much does an art commission cost. Barking blunt one-line messages to artists will most likely leave you without a reply.
The commission artist you choose may as you why you chose them and what it is about their work that you like. It is probably a good idea to think about this before making contact as artists care why you are choosing them to do your art commission.
Not every artist will accept your art commission request so do not assume anything.
Every artist has different reasons for taking on art commissions, some just like the person and story of the person asking and others like the idea. You might find that the artist does not wish to take on your commission at that moment or at all. One of the crucial things to remember is to make sure that you discuss all of the most important details about your commission in order for the artist to make a decision.
Provide the artist with details about your commission.
Any artist that you contact about a commission will need to know what materials, size and images of the idea that you have for your art commission or things will not get off to a good start. Another thing to remember is to offer ALL crucial details right at the start because you will only annoy the artist if you let them get started then start to change things up or add things on. Discuss timeline, medium and it will be sure to make you and the artist feel more confident in commissioning any artwork.
The best thing you can do is send your chosen commission artist as many reference images as possible, having a visual to work from is so helpful for any artist. If the artwork is for a particular space in your home or office then maybe ask the artist if providing images of the space would help them.
Think contracts for your commission artwork
Having a contract in place between you and your artist for your commission is a good idea before any work is started. It should include all detail of the discussed commission such as payment terms,price, size and timeline. Often artists will ask for a certain percentage upfront to cover costs and to get you to show commitment to the work which is understandable.
Your contract should include things like rights for using the work.
Art Commission Prices
One of the main things people think about when considering a piece of commission art is what will the art commission cost? The answer is not simple, the price of a commission will vary from artist to artist.
The price that an artist charges will be based on lots of factors including how in demand they are, how much of a known artist they are, size of piece, time it will take to make your commission and so many more considerations.
I think you may be surprised to find out that the costs of a commissioned artwork are mostly very reasonable considering that its a one of a kind artwork you are buying. A helpful guide to price is to look at what the artist is charging on their website, it may help you find a ball park figure.
Your art commission can be paid for by paypal, direct bank transfer or in cash to the artist if you are nearby. If you do not have a paypal account you can still use it with your debit card to pay for your art.
Keep communications open and enjoy yourself while commissioning artworks
Try to regularly keep in contact with your chosen artist to make sure the project is staying within the time frame but do not hassle or try to rush the artist. Just be helpful, supportive and nice, ask if they need anything from you. Things like more images to work from. If you have any questions or concerns then ask the artist and they will be happy to help, I’m sure.
Keep in touch with your artist until the end.
If the artist is on the wrong track then big revisions can be expensive and can disrupt the relationship between you both. Most artists will expect you to stay in touch so don’t worry about it, it is part of the commission process.
I think I speak for all artists when I say that everyone appreciates recognition and praise for their artworks. Commissioning an original artwork is an exciting and fulfilling thing for you and the artist if you follow my guide on how to approach commissioning original art.
For most artists, it is a great chance to build long-lasting professional and personal relationships with you the client. You can commission art by clicking here right now
