Artist share their tips and struggles with commissioned art

Making a custom piece of art for someone’s home is a special thing. If your thinking about starting to offer commissioned art it will definitely increase your sales and push you to grow as an artist! Sometimes knowing how to start or build your business can seem hard. I had some talented artists share their tips and struggles with commissioned art.

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Erin Laughlin creates dreamy abstract pieces. Here’s what she shared:

• Commission Tips:
• Offer an in-home consult, including size and design recommendations, as well as local delivery and installation – go the extra mile to provide value for to your client to make it a 5-star experience.  You get to build a real relationship as well which makes it more meaningful for you and them!  Commission work is a big decision, and they’ll love your expertise and input!
• Make sure your commission price covers your time for the consult and install! 
• Keep a gallery of all your current AND sold works that you could feel comfortable repainting or painting in a like style.  Both you and the client will feel more confident if they simply want something similar to an old piece with size or a few color changes! 
• Make sure all of your social media and website mention that you do commissions, and take it one step further by adding some details of how the custom process can work!
• Ask to take photos of your commissions hung in people’s spaces. It validates your work, and people need to see art in the context of a room so it adds some variety to your online content.
• Commission Struggles
• Communication is key, and a contract will help. Make sure you collect a deposit and explain that secures their spot in your queue. Put as many details in your contract as possible including colors, size, timeline, refund policy,
• Commission work can be tough to estimate timeline for. Don’t be afraid to build in extra weeks, and make sure to ask if the client have any hard deadlines like open houses, pickup arrangements, etc. especially if you are working with a Design Firm or business. I have had to push back a few times on my delivery estimate, and changed my wording to reflect that it isn’t a guaranteed date.  
• Commission work is satisfying in a different way than spec work. Most artists need a mixture, so as your commissions take off, consider how you can make time for your own projects!
• you pictures of your previous work and have them explain what aspects they like about each. Also have them send pictures of colors they are referencing, if it is not a descriptive explanation. Artists know how many types of “blue” there are, but not everyone else realizes it while explaining! Before you end the conversation and get to work, hve a detailed explanation that you can verify with the client that walks through every element they are asking for. Clarity and communication is key. 

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Carly Wiggers creates bright and joyful paintings! Here’s what she shared:

• Commissions can be the most exciting or most painful orders ever. Set boundaries for yourself when it comes to commissions. Figure out what you will be willing to create for someone that matches your style and doesn’t steal your joy. However, also allow yourself to accept commissions that are pushing you to grow and try something new. You’ll be able to feel out if the commission is just right for you while chatting with the client. Remember that commissions are a great way to expand your collection of work! 
• You don’t always have to say “Yes” to a commission! I did not allow myself to say no for the longest time. This was definitely a mistake because I began to feel trapped. I was not creative, joyful, or inspired because of my art. Instead of a beautiful hobby, painting became a job that I avoided at all costs. DO NOT PUT YOURSELF IN THIS POSITION! Learn how to say no in a polite way that communicates well that you are not the right fit for the project. It is okay to explain your reasoning, and it is also okay to choose not to explain! Just make sure your response is polite, respectful, and clear. 
• Balance your load. For the amount of commissions that you take on, make sure you are still giving yourself the time and energy to create freely. Commissions are a great way to make more money on your art, but remember to let yourself play as well! Organize time out of your schedule to take breaks and create from your own heart. 
• If you accept commissions that are super different than your usual style or color palette, don’t feel pressured to share everything you do on social media! I have done dozens of commissions that I never actually posted pictures of. However, even if you aren’t posting about it, make sure that you still take pictures to document the piece and add it to your collection because you might want to reference it later!
• Make sure that you are on the same page as your client. Sometimes it is difficult for people to explain what they want. Although it might feel annoying or redundant to ask so many questions, that is okay! It is better to ask more questions for more clarity, than end up creating something that is not what the client had in mind. Communicating with pictures is usually best. Have them send you pictures of your previous work and have them explain what aspects they like about each. Also have them send pictures of colors they are referencing, if it is not a descriptive explanation. Artists know how many types of “blue” there are, but not everyone else realizes it while explaining! Before you end the conversation and get to work, have a detailed explanation that you can verify with the client that walks through every element they are asking for. Clarity and communication is key. 

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Samantha Kuri creates beautifully detailed fluid art. Here’s what she shared:

• This is HUGE for me. When I started doing commissions, I took each one and did it exactly as they asked. That was hard and unmotivating for me. I vividly remember a piece I did for a family member – it was a huge piece so was excited at first, but she wanted something that was completely generic and trendy. I did it, but it took me SO LONG because I wasn’t inspired and for a while I thought about not offering them anymore. Now I only accept colors, size, and previous works as “guidelines” and when speaking with my clients I make it clear that they will get something clearly Samantha Jo. It’s okay to be rigid, they followed you for a reason and should trust that.
• SOME TIPS: Be open and honest with your timing. Do an inventory with yourself:
• Are you a full-time artist? Do you have other pieces or deadlines to make? I work full time, so I only have nights and weekends to create so I have to factor that in as well.
• How long does the piece itself take +
• varnish time +
• photographing time +
• shipping
• Ask for pictures of their space – or better yet, if they are willing, walk through their space. It helps immensely with inspiration and color matching.
• Schedule yourself: for me, knowing I told someone that it would be finished by X date helps. If you work better without deadlines, you may want to book commissions in quarterly/monthly segments. For example – book 3 for the Jun-Aug time frame and be able to work on whichever one you feel like on a specific day throughout that time. But remember deadlines are important to clients – they are excited and undoubtedly have saved up for or invested in a piece and can’t wait to cherish it in their home.

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Emily Minor creates beautiful alcohol ink art! Here’s what she shared:

• As a painter and writer, I have really had to learn that understanding your clients needs is most important with commissioned artwork.
• Listen to your clients. Listen to their needs. Their wants. What feelings do they want the painting to exude? Colors? What is their space like? Their vibe?

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Sarah Pollitt creates beautiful resin art. Here’s what she shared:

I have been quite lucky that I have not had to deal much with unhappy customers (phew) but it’s all in the delivery also …. I always state that my art is unique and every artwork Varys in look, so if they are sending pics of previous work saying I want this I always state I can do the exact same colours but may turn out completely different so if they are after a certain ‘look’ I may not be able to offer this, that way your covered and they are aware that there piece will be unique! And always get a non refundable deposit before you start!! Can not stress this enough! 

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Rena Samsara creates elegant geode inspired art. Here’s what she shared:

I love doing commission pieces because I can discuss styles and colors with a client so that it fits perfectly into their house. I often ask for pictures of the room to get an idea of the energy and the style that the customer likes. If you get asked to commission something you don’t feel comfortable with, don’t do it! You can say no, you are not obligated. In cases like that, I even refer them to other artists, who I think may better create their vision.

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Roxy Syroid creates lovely abstract art. Here’s what she shared:

• Get a clear idea of what the client wants, and honestly access if you will be able to create the piece. There have been a few times I have had someone approach me with a commission idea that I knew I wouldn’t be able to do. Don’t take on a commission you won’t be able to complete.
• Always give the client a price before you start the project and take a percentage as a deposit before starting a piece. Most artists take 50% non-refundable deposit, this allows you to ensure that your costs are covered and that the client will claim the piece. It would suck to have put your time and effort into a piece, finish it and then have the client change their mind about purchasing the art.
• Set clear expectations, when the client gives you the colours, subject or idea for the piece, repeat it back to them to make sure you’re on the same page. Provide a timeline, as well as details about your artwork and shipping expectations.
• Check in with the client. Often when I have a commission, after every major part is completed, I check back with the client and send them photos of approvable before the next step. For example, when working with alcohol inks I will send a photo of the completed work before I resin the piece so that I can adjust the piece if they aren’t completely satisfied.
• Have some sort of contract. You can have a physical contract that the client fills out with details of the piece. Such as size and colours, the amount put down for a deposit etc. Or you can use your email conversation as the contract, just make sure you mention that your emails are your contracts. Any type of written form that explains the expectations and agreement for the artwork.

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Rajan Seth creates awesome textured modern art. Here’s what he shared:

• Tips
• Be sure you are able to understand the customer needs and style 
• be flexible in your design, if you have previously designed commissions to show, put them in front of a customer and ask them to chose which ones they like and explain what attiracts them to it 
• Patience. The client is always going to have something pictured in their head they are after and I will have something different. It’s about collaborating and working together to bridge that gap and give them a piece they want
• Struggles
• Ensuring good prioritisation by having multiple commissions on the go is always hardy but it’s about time management, building up layers slowly and textured.
• Dealing with clients that are less able to explain the style they would like or colour scheme.
• Taking pictures and videos in the correct lighting to ensure it is not misleading and a true representation of how it looks in person!

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Geetika Nagpal creates cheerful alcohol ink art. Here’s what she shared:

• Doing a commission piece can be a little daunting sometimes as I’ve mentioned this thing frequently on my posts too.
• Through my experience  it’s a different joy to incorporate ideas of a customer with your style of art. I mean we all have different techniques to work especially when it comes to alcohol inks.
• My Tips for commission artwork would be 
• Always prefer to listen to a customer needs that’s the key to literally nail your commission work. 
• Make sure to put in my efforts, in short telling them what will look nice and what won’t. I think as an artist the customer really needs your effort and what do an artist think before incorporating the work.
• Another key point to remember is to always give a mock to a customer before starting off and even if i started with a piece i keep them updated with what I’m doing, so that the final work is always under their knowledge as to how it will come out or if there are any changes they could probably tell me and it can be fixed.
• One of the most important things would be obviously the financial conversation, you should let your customers know the prices before you start with a commission piece because in many cases customers would try and negotiate and they should know how much labour and hard work a single piece of art consumes.
• Last moment changes, you have to be completely ready for it. That’s something we all have experienced once in a lifetime. A customer needs something and later wants something else so here’s my friend a mock helps,they really do. Always make sure to keep yourself and the customer updated as to how the piece will look and how are the preps going.
• Lastly simply have fun with it as along as you enjoy your work nothing will go out of your hand, in case you don’t like what you are doing, take a break give your self sometime and start again let your ideas flow.

Thank you to all the amazing artist’s who shared their tips!

I hope these tips were helpful to you and left you inspired with new ideas! Please share this post if you enjoyed it! Tag me @happilyevercrafty and #happilyevercrafty to have your work featured on my Instagram! I would love to see! If you have any tips or questions I would love to hear from you! Happy crafting!