To commission an art piece is to request an artist to create artwork on behalf of another– no wonder commissioning artwork has historically been a sure-fire way of displaying power and wealth. It allows the commissioner to be a part of the artistic process while trusting the artist fully to create what they have been visualizing.

Since commissioned art is now available to a wider audience, here are the dos and don’ts of commissioning an artwork:

Don’t Expect Every Commissioned Artist to Accept Your Request

There are tons of reasons a commissioned artist may turn down your offer. The right thing to do is to discuss all important details of the project with the commissioned artist beforehand to keep them from quitting midway. Discuss the price you’re willing to pay, the mediums they’re allowed to use, and the timeline for submission.

Do Communicate Well

When you reach out to the commissioning artist, you want to make a good first impression. Start by informing the concerned parties why you’ve chosen them for the project.

If and when they accept your project, provide the commissioning artist with all the details about the piece. A great way to covey details about the piece is to provide reference images that showcase what you are looking for, more or less. Being on terms with the commissioned artist will allow you to check time and again if the project is staying well within the timeline.

Being vague about what you need to reflect in the project or your expectations from the artist will only end up in poor artwork that no one is happy with.

Don’t Assume the Contractual Details will Work out Themselves

Without a contract, things will only get messier for you and your artist. Establish a formal agreement that states the price and payment terms – some artists request fifty percent up front, while others make their peace with a minimal deposit. The contract should also include the timeline detailing such as the approval process and date of completion for the project. By setting clear expectations from day one, you should be able to keep the commissioning artwork process as professional as possible.

Do Take Charge When Things Go South

A contract with a commissioned artist is a sure-fire way of preventing scammers from harming you or your project. It also makes it far easier for those who don’t understand the industry to stay well within their limits – for example, a client unwilling to pay standard charges for the project is a red flag!

Two paintings of a heart on display in front of a table.

Indulge in the original artwork for salefrom commissioned artist Mr Green Hearts. Here you can buy framed print artwork, custom wedding portraits, customized art anniversary gifts, custom nursery art, or order a child’s dream portrait online. We give you a custom art buying experience, great prices, single custom art pieces, reliable and timely delivery, and a satisfaction guarantee for our personalized artwork online.

Contact Mr Green Heartsfor further details on commissioning an artwork.

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