When, as an artist, you get a commission enquiry you are thrilled, someone has asked me to paint them a picture. Wow.
However as you get into commissioned work the feelings for the painting (and the client) begin to be wound up in the art too. I remember one of the first commissions I was ever asked to paint was of a clients dog, that had sadly passed away. To begin with I was troubled with the amount to charge for the painting.
Never ever make your work so cheap that your time and talent is not covered in your efforts I say this for a number of reasons;
- Any fool can work for nothing
- The client values having to pay for the painting or artwork they have ordered.
- It enables you, at the very least, to be able to make your art work self supporting.
I remember once quoting a price to a wealthy gentleman a price for painting his horse, he told me he could get another artist to do the painting much cheaper, I quietly advised him to commission the other artist but reminded him that it would not be an original by me. I heard nothing for three months and then he came back to me and asked me again to paint the picture, he was a little taken aback when the price had gone up, but I still got the commission.
Anyway, back to the painting of the dearly departed dog. We agreed a price and asked her to forward photographs of the animal to me, she had one, it was of a 10 stone Rottwieller standing inside the door of it’s dark kennel, I could have cried.
There was alot of artistic licence with that painting, but eventually the client was thrilled.
Hot Tip; Always ask the client for clear photographs of the animal/person in the most appealing pose for them.
If you really do not fancy doing a particular commission (or the client) just decline the offer, it is far easier than doing a painting that will not be up to your standard because you do not have a passion for the subject.
Nice post….quite wise.