How to handle ART COMMISSIONS like a PRO

I can help you draw & paint better ⬇

One of the hardest challenges you face starting out as a pro is handling the business side of a portrait commission- and the artistic side for that matter!

If you want to get your hands on this contract you can download it free on my Patreon page:

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About me:
My work focuses on the human figure. I've given drawing and painting workshops and demos throughout the United States and Europe. I have been making realist drawing and painting tutorials for two years now that I release through my Patreon page.

[moncherryboom]

Man just the line "are you someone that works incredibly slow? you're going to need to charge a significantly higher amount than someone who ...." took a weight off. I mean I'm still working on bettering myself so that I can get to a stage where I can work a bit faster, but as someone who constantly got told that I wouldn't make it as an artist because I'm too slow and parents always used the professionals working speed as a comparison to my work flow while growing up it's been hard trying to not compare myself in an unhealthy way to someone who's had more years of experience, while still steeling myself to charge people for my work at a price that I think is reasonable. Thank you very much for the video I learned a lot and it was also a nice breath of fresh air to learn a bit more about how to go about doing art commissions.

[markmontanaart]

Great video. Can't think of another I've ever seen addressing the concerns of the Commissioned Artist.
Personally, I do a 1/3 payment structure, with the second third landmark of "halfway complete" to be determined by me. This solves a couple of issues: less upfront money for the client, and some financial respite for me, as portraits can sometimes take longer than planned. It also serves the purpose of getting the client's stamp of approval on the progress of the work, and makes it less likely they'll be displeased with the final work.
Also, my friend in marketing has insisted it's better to refer to the contract as an "agreement", because it sounds less legally threatening, lol.

[kristiLB]

Thank you for posting this. It was such valuable information for me as an artist who would like to accept commissions on a regular basis. I just finished a commission for someone and it was not an enjoyable process. The photos I worked from were pretty terrible - iPhone, t-shirt wearing photos of beloved family members that make for terrible portrait work. Plus the client didn't want to pay much and she insisted on a much smaller size than I was comfortable working on - 8 x 10. I actually did everything yhat you said not to do PLUS I let the client steam roll me with requests. I will be referring back to this video until I have this process down pat!

[ajax]

Never have understood the requirement for me to turn a perfectly good photo into a hyper-realistic portrait. It's the photo again! Asked to do it quite often. I never accept.

[johnmeeds]

This was incredibly useful (and timely) for me. I've fallen a bit into the situation to start doing pet portraiture, and trying to figure out how to enter and navigate "going public" for the first time. I think everything you said translates just as well into pets - maybe even more so on the emotional part. Thanks for this video, and if you (or any other artists) have something to say on pet work, I'd really appreciate it.

[sarahdowling]

This is fantastic, a real eye opener but for me it’s getting people to recognise my work and how to reach people. I’m self taught and mastered my craft and I’m still learning but I’m still at a place that I’m talented enough to do commissions so this for me is priceless, thankyou.

[LoveBystroem]

4:17 I love this painting. I’ve seen it in real life twice at the gothenburg museum of art and its wonderful. I’m not one to feel patriotic but the scene brings to mind memories kindof like this one, that feel utterly and completely swedish to me.

[aydapadistudio]

12:29 This! Thank you for the tip re how to understand what a client wants changed on the commissioned art. I have found clients often don’t really know what they want, or have a hard time describing it - until you actually draw it, and redraw it, and redraw it, ad infinitum 😅 Coaxing it from them can be really time consuming.. So, “listen intently, be patient, keep communication lines open.” Got it ❤

[bechtholdillustrator]

Doing Coverart Commissions for 3 Years now in the Genres of Black Metal and Dungeon synth aside of my Book Illustrations.
Had the luck to mostly get wonderful Customers.
But the Pricing is something i feel that i learn with every commission still something new.A Base Price for yourself based on a standart artwork you do can always help i think.
But i see with this vid that theres still room to learn.Good Video, thanks !

[bablilyk]

You are an amazing teacher. Thank you for all the tips.

[MaridK]

Very good take Stephen, I normally take the photos, lots of them then they review and pick top 3. I was lucky to have clients who like and agree to any draft I present.
Thank you for sharing with us.

[rakeshhaldar]

You put some words so wonderfully, I do portrait comission too & sometimes it's very hard to deal with such stuff. Thanks again for your precious thoughts. 🌸🙂🙏🏽

[marleneesilva]

Stephen, thank you for this video. So, so, helpful. I am glad I stumbled on this video. Your advice is a really great and efficient approach.

[djstartheartist]

I agree and want my friends to see this! So many artists do not understand there are so many small aspects. Personality, or as you put it respect, makes such a difference. And knowing or having your pricing in your head before you begin make things go smoother. Great video

[jaysondronaarts]

One of the best Art Channel, so much learning 🙌🏻👌🏻

[meganfoshee]

BRILLIANT!!! I just feel so much more prepared after watching your video. Thank you SOOO much for just being you and putting this out there!

[iknowaguymps]

Probably the best Commission Information video I've found so far(watched a few now). Though I paint much smaller things, also not doing portraits; The information applies to any artist.
Big thank you, I now have a bunch of things I didn't know I even needed to think about :D

[lisalynch]

Mad skills, thankyou for your generosity

[Riacho_lol]

This is one of my favorite places on the internet. Thank you for this amzaing lesson!

[VaultGirl]

I'm aiming to become a portrait artist so this video was very useful👍