Commissioning Art from your favorite artist
An art commisison is an investment like no other because you control what the end product will be. It is uniquely your own vision translated onto paper through the skills of an artist's hand.
I am Melissa A Benson of Ranting Centaur Studios. I am an "Alternate Reality" illustrator and fine artist with a colorful, realistic style. I work mostly with a mixed media of watercolor dyes, and color pencils. My black and white work is high contrast done with multi-weight graphite pencil and charcoal. I also work in oil on masonite for large pieces.
My specialty is anthropomorphic creatures and people in natural and historic settings. The majority of my commissions are for clients who want portraits of their role playing characters.
In this lens I will guide you through the process of commissioning an artist to create that special image you've always wanted to have but could never find.
New Table of Contents
- My latest commission
- The first things your Artist needs to know.
- Black and White or Color?
- Background or no background?
- What size?
- Framed or unframed?
- The budget.
- The time factor
- Now your ready.
- Commissions by Melissa A Benson
- Visit my other lenses!
- Let me know!
- Blog Posts from Google
- See who's got a commission.
My latest commission
This is a commission based on a scene from the Ayn Rand book Atlas Shrugged.
I had a fan write to me inquiring about my Ragnar original from the Magic: The Gathering game. That piece had been sold so I suggested having a recreation made. During the course of the emails that followed, the commission changed to a pivotal scene from the Ayn Rand book "Atlas Shrugged". The genre was changed to a fantasy setting. The Ragnar character from my Magic card was used and the Rearden character became a blacksmith. This is a detail from the finished piece titled "Friend of the Friendless". A quote from the scene.If you are interested in having me do a commission for you, check my commissions page for details. There is a pricing chart so you can get a basic idea of what it will cost.
The first things your Artist needs to know.
A heads up to hit the ground running.
If you have the following information ready, the process will go infinitely more smoothly and quickly.
Black and White or Color?
Each has it's own character.
Decide if you want your commission to be in black and white or in color. Choose black and white for making a dramatic statement which can be very detailed at a small size. This isn't to say that it won't help the artist to know what color things are. Blue eyes are a different value than green.Color lends a depth and reality to an image. It also conveys a broader range of emotion better than black and white. In general, we relate to, and "feel" color images more. If you want something very subtle or very over the top, then choose color.
Background or no background?
You don't always need a background.
Not every image needs to have a background. This is especially true of portrait work whether it is black and white or color.Another option is to add a graphic image in the background that relates to the subject. It could be a flag behind a political figure for example or a a pair of crossed swords behind a knight. It could also be a pattern that is either simple of complex.
But all that being said, there is something complete and wonderful about a painting with the subject in an appropriate environment.
What size?
This is probably the single factor influences price the most.
Aside from complexity, size is the most influential factor when determining the price, and the reason is the same for both.
Time.
The larger a piece is, the longer it takes to do. Likewise, the more detail and the more "stuff" that you want included in your piece, the more time it takes to do.
Not all pieces look good small, and not all pieces look better large. The subject, and the effect you are after, will often suggest the best size. A portrait destined for an opera house ought to be large while a miniature portrait's small size is far more intimate.
Time.
The larger a piece is, the longer it takes to do. Likewise, the more detail and the more "stuff" that you want included in your piece, the more time it takes to do.
Not all pieces look good small, and not all pieces look better large. The subject, and the effect you are after, will often suggest the best size. A portrait destined for an opera house ought to be large while a miniature portrait's small size is far more intimate.
Framed or unframed?
All commissions that you have done should be framed. This can be done by the artist or the artist's framer. These two people have the biggest stake making you happy. The frame should be an extension and a complement to the painting.The only time this is not true is when you yourself are a framer or if a finished piece is being shipped. Especially overseas where the extra weight can make the cost prohibitive.
Receiving a piece framed alleviates the delay of hanging which isn't good for the art and devalues your investment. Wasn't showing it off to everyone the idea in the first place?
The budget.
Know what you want to spend.
As you have seen, there are many factors that effect the price of a piece. One approach is to tell the artist how much you are willing to spend. The artist will manipulate the size, complexity, etc. so that you can get a quality job within your budget.
Another approach is to tell the artist everything you want to see in the commission and ask for a quote with your "want list" and see what comes up. The artist will usually give you a quote with a variety of sizes to choose from. You can pick one or you can ask the artist for suggestions on how to get the price in a range where you feel comfortable.
For example, you can get the cost of a piece down by changing a full figure image to a waist up image keeping the same size. Or you could keep your full figure and simplify or eliminate the background. Or you could keep everything and just go to a smaller size.
Don't be afraid to ask if you can make installments on expensive commissions. It is a common practice. But be prepared to pay at least one third of the total up front, one third half way through and the final third when it is complete unless the two of you agree to another plan.
My installment plan is a regular monthly payment for as long as it takes you to complete the transaction. The art is shipped once payment is complete.
Another approach is to tell the artist everything you want to see in the commission and ask for a quote with your "want list" and see what comes up. The artist will usually give you a quote with a variety of sizes to choose from. You can pick one or you can ask the artist for suggestions on how to get the price in a range where you feel comfortable.
For example, you can get the cost of a piece down by changing a full figure image to a waist up image keeping the same size. Or you could keep your full figure and simplify or eliminate the background. Or you could keep everything and just go to a smaller size.
Don't be afraid to ask if you can make installments on expensive commissions. It is a common practice. But be prepared to pay at least one third of the total up front, one third half way through and the final third when it is complete unless the two of you agree to another plan.
My installment plan is a regular monthly payment for as long as it takes you to complete the transaction. The art is shipped once payment is complete.
The time factor
How it effects the price.
Imagine writing your name on a piece of paper that is 8 x 10 inches. No problem right? It's quick and easy and looks good without making a fuss.
Now write your name on a piece of paper the size of a postage stamp. This takes a little more planning, more effort and more attention to make it look good.
For a more relevant example, let's say that you want a special ring on the finger of your subject's portrait commission. If the piece is an 18 x 24 inch piece, this will not likely be a problem. If you want it done on an 8 x 10 inch piece, it's another story.
The solution? Let's say that the 8 x 10 quote is in the budget, but you really want that ring seen clearly. You can have the figure done at a closer view (from the waist up as opposed to a full figure from head to toe), or you could have the ring done as a graphic in the background. As we saw earlier, with creative inventiveness, there is almost always a way to get the job done within the budget.
The thing to remember is to know what the most important elements of the piece are and set your priorities so that you can relate to the artist what must be in the picture, what can be modified and what can be dropped if necessary.
Now write your name on a piece of paper the size of a postage stamp. This takes a little more planning, more effort and more attention to make it look good.
For a more relevant example, let's say that you want a special ring on the finger of your subject's portrait commission. If the piece is an 18 x 24 inch piece, this will not likely be a problem. If you want it done on an 8 x 10 inch piece, it's another story.
The solution? Let's say that the 8 x 10 quote is in the budget, but you really want that ring seen clearly. You can have the figure done at a closer view (from the waist up as opposed to a full figure from head to toe), or you could have the ring done as a graphic in the background. As we saw earlier, with creative inventiveness, there is almost always a way to get the job done within the budget.
The thing to remember is to know what the most important elements of the piece are and set your priorities so that you can relate to the artist what must be in the picture, what can be modified and what can be dropped if necessary.
Now your ready.
Fire off that email and get your commission going!
With this information at hand, you are ready to contact your favorite artist with confidence and say I would like a commission.
Commissions by Melissa A Benson
How I set it up.
To see how I have set up my commissions page, you can go to the "Commissions" page on my website:
http://www.melissabenson.com/commissions/commissions.html
On this page I have my recently finished commission, a link to my "Commissions Gallery" which has completed commissions and a link to my "Testimonials" page where you can read comments from satisfied clients.
There is also a pricing chart where you can get a ball park idea of the cost and my mission statement is there as well.
http://www.melissabenson.com/commissions/commissions.html
On this page I have my recently finished commission, a link to my "Commissions Gallery" which has completed commissions and a link to my "Testimonials" page where you can read comments from satisfied clients.
There is also a pricing chart where you can get a ball park idea of the cost and my mission statement is there as well.
Visit my other lenses!
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Melissa A Benson, Nightmare Artist
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I specialize in fantasy themes with an emphasis on anthropomorphic creatures and people in natural and historic settings. There is also a lot of decorative illustration for the holidays. The majority of my work is done in dyes and color pencil, but I...
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Fantasy Art by Melissa A Benson
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This lens will show you where to get my artwork on all kinds of stuff from Limited edition prints and beautiful high quality giclee prints to fun little mini buttons and customizable postage stamps. There are direct links to my Print on Demand shop...
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Camelot Legends Gifts
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My name is Melissa A Benson of Ranting Centaur Studios. I am a fantasy illustrator and fine artist with a colorful, realistic style. My work is mostly a mixture of watercolor dyes, and color pencils. My black and white work is high contrast multi-wei...
Let me know!
There's always room for improvement!
Please take a moment to leave a comment or feedback because I'm always looking for ways to make a better lens.
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- Shelly Shelly Dec 31, 2008 @ 12:21 pm
- Hi, I'm traveling with Tipi today, looking at your work--very nice. Tipi is my sister, she lives in Fargo and I'm here in Superior Wisconsin.
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Reply
- Tipi Tipi Dec 31, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
- You have very nice lenses. Thank you for adding links on You Found ZazIt. I did look at your shops and am impressed by your designs. Thank you very much!
Blog Posts from Google
- Ho, Ho, Ho! Time to get all arty, crafty & festive!
- Set in the five weekends before Christmas, they are perfectly timed to help provide those special gifts for family and friends, yet the first weekend is still early enough to order special items or perhaps even to commission a unique piece. ... Find that perfect gift or treat at a traditional Christmas Market on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th November, set in and around our historic buildings. Dozens of stalls with arts, crafts, food, unusual gifts and much more. ...
- THE ART WORLD MOST POWERFUL 50 PEOPLE - by John Powell - Windows Live
- Blog .... There is the personal one,for which he and his wife Edyth commissioned a 60-ton sculpture from Richard Serra and acquired important works by Calder, Lichtenstein, Rauschenberg and Picasso,among others. ..... Just pick up the book title: A HISTORY OF ART ,on "a survey of the visual arts from the dawn of history to the present day;"It is said that, the greatest of university is the BAR,or MARKET-PLACE,HAIR DRESSER SHOP & COFFEE SHOP ...? absolutearts.com Portfolio ...
- ART AND THE ECONOMY-HIT OR MISS!!!: THE ART WORLD MOST POWERFUL 50 ...
- There is the personal one,for which he and his wife Edyth commissioned a 60-ton sculpture from Richard Serra and acquired important works by Calder, Lichtenstein, Rauschenberg and Picasso,among others. Then there is the family foundation ..... Just pick up the book title: A HISTORY OF ART ,on "a survey of the visual arts from the dawn of history to the present day;"It is said that, the greatest of university is the BAR,or MARKET-PLACE,HAIR DRESSER SHOP & COFFEE SHOP . ...
- Up and Down on the Art Market | Art Market Monitor
- Colin Gleadell moves the ball forward on a few Contemporary art items. Here he identifies some works rising and falling in value on the market. The first two. ... In 1984, Warhol made five paintings in different colours as a commission for Time magazine. The version used for the cover hangs in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington. Another, bought for $278000 last May, was offered by the Vered Gallery in East Hampton this summer and reputedly sold for ...
See who's got a commission.
Check out the latest tweets in art commissions.
See who else is working on, completed, or just commissioned an original piece of art.
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- writerauthorart
- National Trust and Royal Academy of Arts Collaborate on New Public Art Commission http://bit.ly/5SzdW8
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- BadPanda
- Any one know any decent artist that can do comic book stuff. Im looking to commission a bit of art.
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- beckiesuedalton
- @ButifulDeath Awesome. You can now say that you've done a "high art" commission. ;)
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- CharityTimes
- The Equality and Human Rights Commission wants young Brits to create a vision of a world free from prejudicewww.equalityhumanrights.com/art
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- designlondon
- NATIONAL TRUST AND ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS COLLABORATE ON NEW PUBLIC ART COMMISSION AT 6 BURLINGTON GARDENS http://tinyurl.com/ylrnbx9
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by Nightmareartist
Hello - I am Melissa A Benson, if you played Magic:The Gathering you know my work. I did the art for the original Shivan Dragon and Nightmare.
I am a... (more)
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