The Commissions Process

The Process

The commission is a wonderfully creative collaboration between artist and client. Getting to know my clients, sharing their vision and making it come to life on canvas, is extremely rewarding. I consider my commissioned paintings to be some of the best work I have ever created. Many grand, unique ideas have taken wing through these mutually beneficial brainstorming sessions.

STEP 1

Commission discussed in person, by phone or email.

When communicating in person, visits to the home or business create the opportunity to visualize the best display space, size, orientation and palette for the commission. Prints and paintings are often brought to presentations to make these choices easier. “A picture is worth a thousand words!”

Communication through email is also very effective. Clients often send photos of the room and wall they have in mind. Photos of my paintings, in assorted sizes, can be superimposed in these photos to help the client visualize them in their home or business.

STEP 2

Arizona Sunset with mountain range, Sonoran, desert, landscape with saguaros in foreground, Arizona,

Resource photos are provided by artist and/or client.

Photos are shared during personal meetings with clients or through email communication. My vast inventory of photos includes sunsets and sunrises, skyscapes, landscapes, waterscapes, fishing boats, many botanical varieties, etc.

Many skyscape commissions have included views from a client’s home. During home visits, I will capture these gorgeous views with my camera.

The painting, upper left, features a sunset the Greg and Catherine chose while reviewing sunset photos I sent by email. The landscape details are from photos I took from the back patio while visiting them in their gorgeous second home in Northern Scottsdale.

Commissioned paintings are also created by resource photos provided by clients. The painting, upper right, was inspired by a photo taken while the couple vacationed in Costa Rica.

STEP 3

Composition drawing is reviewed in person or by email.

A compositional drawing is provided once the concept and size has been determined for the commission, At this stage, if changes are requested, updated versions or additional drawings are completed for review in person or by email.

The completed oil painting, based on this drawing, appears below.

STEP 4

Botanical Paintings, desertscape featuring cacti and family of quail

Contract is drawn up with a schedule of completion.

The contract includes a description of the commission’s composition, subject, palette, size, materials, framing, the price, terms, and due date. Both the client and artist sign and date the contract, each retaining a copy.

STEP 5

Commission is personally delivered or shipped.

Arrangements are made to personally deliver the commission to a client’s home or business if located in Arizona. Installation is included if requested.

However, exceptions have been made when I travel out of state for art shows or visits with family and friends. The photo on the left features a commissioned triptych, painted in oil, sized 60″ x 36″ (3 paintings) that we delivered and installed for Sue and Terry in the beautiful, new home they had built near Houston, Texas.

If shipping is required, I use a company that specializes in packaging, crating, and shipping fine art paintings.

REQUEST A COMMISSION

error: Content is protected !!