What is commissioned artwork

Another use for commissions in art refers to a percentage cut that an art gallery or an agency takes in exchange for their services. There are many names for the person who commissions art, but the most common are client, patron, and benefactor. A client is a person who uses the professional services of a person or a company. Patron is a supporter of the arts who pays for commissions with money, gifts and other endorsements.

In the 21st century, we are often referring to them as clients. Especially if an artist is working for the agency and a client is commissioning a work. And benefactors have always been the people that commission public artworks and then donate them to the city as a gift for the public.

Throughout history, commissioning an artwork has been very common for government and wealthy people. Common uses for art were the depiction of wealth, propaganda and redemption of sins.

And my favorite commission for redeeming sins is the Scrovegni Arena Chapel. This wealthy family was known for the sin of usury — lending money at exhorting interest pretty much what banks do. With the discovery of the Internet and a variety of websites that allow artists and Patrons to find each other in a matter of a few clicks. Taking commissions simply means that an artist is open to job opportunities and can offer their services in exchange for a monetary value.

Sometimes, getting commissioned happens randomly. By luck, someone found your art and fell in love with your skills, they will contact you and request a job done. Other times, if you are a more established artist you might be working with an agency that will find jobs for you. Artists make money in a variety of different ways , and only some rely on commissions alone. If you do get lucky and someone reaches out — make sure to do your best if you are open for commissions.

Because chances are, they will be showing off the piece of art you created for them, and their friends might be interesting in commissioning you as well. When you are ready to take things in your own hands, think about creating your own portfolio website I break down how to do it in the linked article.

And on that portfolio website, have a breakdown of fees you charge for your commissioned work, or simply state that you are open for commissions. When you are ready to dive deep in the world of commissioned art, be prepared to follow some rules and etiquette:.

And the same goes for your art skills. Someone who has been practicing full-time for the past century vs someone who started drawing 2 months ago will also charge different prices. You take your skill level and create an hourly rate for yourself based on that. Then you guess how much time the work will take you and give a fee. Let the artist know why specifically you would like them to make the piece. What is it about their work that intrigued you? Prepare yourself to answer these questions artists might be ready to ask you when considering accepting your project.

And don't wait until the work has started to discuss important details. There are many reasons an artist may turn down an offer. Some artists have had awful experiences with commissions in the past, are currently working on other projects, or they may feel they are not a good fit for your project. It may put an artist's mind at ease if you ask about the medium's they can use, price and timeline upfront.

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 with fits with your aesthetic. 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. DO expect 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.

If you are ordering an art piece from another country , you will likely have to pay taxes, customs charges, import duty, and VAT, which will increase the price of the commission. Since shipping can be complicated, it might be better to leave it to the artists or their gallery. Most galleries are knowledgeable about shipping options and additional costs, and will be more than happy to take care of all shipping arrangements. The timeline should contain time estimates for every part of the creation process.

Image by Ari He via Unsplash. Commissioning art is a great way to get more affordable art pieces, personalize your collection, or acquire artworks that complement your living space. It is a very personal process for everyone involved and can require a lot of work.

But the effort will pay off at the end when you receive a one-of-a-kind art piece, tailor-made for your collection. The value of art spans way beyond its aesthetic qualities. We already wrote about how art can help us change society The coronavirus lockdown has forced many to work from home.

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