Commissioning a piece of artwork or having an artist provide a live painting at your event is an exciting and very personal experience. However, if you are commissioning a piece of art for the first time, you may have a lot of questions. That's why I start with a free consultation to learn more about you and what your expectations are for the project.
The best way to prepare for this meeting is for you to become familiar with my process and for me to gain a better understanding of your expectations. The more information we can provide to one another, the greater the likelihood everyone will be happy with a successful project in the end.
I've provided details from an article below on the Artwork Archive website. This is a great resource to help you prepare:
DO provide the artist with as many details about the piece you want as possible. They will need to know what materials will be needed to produce the piece you want. Providing reference images is a great way to communicate with them about what you are looking for. If the piece will be for a certain area of your home, provide the artist with an idea of the style so they can understand how this piece fits with your aesthetic.
DON’T be vague about what you want or expect the artist to know exactly what you will like. If the artist accepts to work on the proposed piece without a clear idea of what you want, there is a good chance you might not be happy with the end result.
DOexpect a contract. Or, be prepared to make one. You should have a contract in place between you and the artist before work begins. The contract should include the price, with all applicable expenses associated with creating the piece, and payment terms. Many artists will also ask for fifty-percent up front or some sort of deposit. The contract should also include a timeline detailing when certain aspects of the work will be completed so that you know when to check in with them. The timeline should also include the date of completion and approval process. The contract will also be the place to include what rights you and the artist have for using the work. Think & Wonder Ink provides a great example of what the contract between you and an artist would look like. DON’T assume that terms, price, and timelines will work themselves out or develop along the way. A formal contract keeps the process of commissioning an artwork as professional as possible by setting clear expectations for the project.
DOcommunicate and have fun while working on a commissioned piece. Keep in touch with the artist to make sure the project is staying within the timeline. Also, see if they need anything from you. Do they need more reference images or materials? By communicating clearly any concerns or questions to the artist you can both put doubts aside and be excited about the project. DON’Tlose contact with the artist. Do not wait until the piece is close to being finished before you check in. If the artist is on the wrong track, big revisions could be expensive, timely, and compromise your relationship with the artist. Most artists will expect you to be reaching out and communicating pretty often — it should be part of the process. Everyone appreciates recognition and praise for their work. Commissioning a work of art can be great for both collectors and artists, if it is done right. As a collector, it is your chance to be a part of the creative process and bring to life something that you will connect with forever. For artists, it's a chance to build lasting relationships with collectors and stretch their creative boundaries.