Commissioning custom artwork is a professional agreement between a client and an artist. Approaching this process with respect and professionalism is the foundation for a successful collaboration. Understanding the standard etiquette and procedures ensures the client’s vision is clearly communicated and the artist’s skill is appropriately valued. A well-prepared approach streamlines the creative journey from concept to final delivery.
Finding the Right Artist and Understanding Their Work
The first step in securing a commission is identifying an artist whose established work demonstrates proficiency in the required style and medium. Clients should research portfolios across websites, art communities, and social media to gauge the consistency and quality of the artist’s output. This review confirms that the artist’s aesthetic sensibility—such as a painterly style or a clean vector approach—aligns with the desired outcome.
Understanding an artist’s preferred subject matter is equally important, as specialization often dictates the caliber of the final product. An artist known for stylized character design may not be the ideal choice for a photorealistic landscape painting. Analyzing past commissions that share thematic elements with the client’s concept provides tangible evidence of their capability to execute the specific vision.
Focusing on the artist’s medium is also necessary, as the physical or digital nature of the work impacts size, resolution, and display methods. Whether the client needs a large-scale oil painting or a high-resolution digital illustration, the portfolio must confirm experience in that specific format. This careful alignment of style, subject, and medium establishes a strong basis for the professional engagement.
Determining Availability and Reviewing Terms
Before initiating contact, clients must verify the artist’s current commission status, as many professionals set specific periods for accepting new projects. This information is typically posted prominently on the artist’s website, social media bio, or a dedicated commissions page. Submitting a request when an artist is explicitly closed can be perceived as disrespectful of their established boundaries.
Once the artist is accepting new work, the client should review any published Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or Terms of Service (TOS) documents. These documents often answer common questions regarding revision limits, acceptable subjects, turnaround times, and payment schedules. Familiarity with the TOS demonstrates respect for the artist’s policies and saves time by avoiding redundant inquiries.
Many professional artists also provide a general price guide or a tiered service menu, which offers a preliminary indication of the project’s potential cost. Reviewing these standard rates helps the client ensure their budget is realistic for the scale and complexity of the work. This preparation ensures the client is ready to engage in a productive discussion rather than requesting basic, readily available information.
Structuring the Initial Inquiry
The initial message to the artist must be clear, concise, and comprehensive, providing all necessary details upfront to allow the artist to accurately assess the scope and feasibility of the request. The client should begin by explicitly stating the desired type of commission, such as a full-body digital illustration or a custom miniature sculpture. Defining the medium and format immediately frames the artist’s evaluation.
The inquiry must detail the subject matter with precision, outlining characters, setting, or thematic elements. Providing specific physical requirements, such as canvas size or pixel dimensions, is necessary for accurate planning. Ambiguous descriptions like “a cool fantasy scene” are unhelpful; instead, the client should describe specifics, such as “two armored figures fighting a dragon in a snowy mountain pass.”
Essential Inquiry Elements
Reference materials are an important component of a professional inquiry. The client should include links or attached files that illustrate the subject matter, color palettes, or mood they envision. If the project has a specific, non-negotiable deadline, such as a date required for a gift or product launch, this must be clearly stated. A proposed deadline allows the artist to check their calendar immediately and determine if the request fits their current schedule.
The intended use of the artwork must be clearly stated, differentiating between personal and commercial applications. This distinction is important because it directly influences licensing fees and usage rights.
- Personal use covers items like desktop wallpapers or private printing, where no profit is made from the art.
- Commercial use involves any activity where the art is used to generate revenue, such as for book covers, merchandise, or advertising materials.
The client should avoid requesting pricing details until all foundational project elements have been clearly established.
Discussing Pricing, Contracts, and Usage Rights
Once the artist accepts the project outline, the conversation shifts to the financial and legal framework that formalizes the agreement. Clients should respect the artist’s quoted price, which reflects execution time, skill development, material costs, and business overhead. If the client needs to adhere to a specific budget, they should discuss adjusting the project scope, such as reducing complexity or size, to align with financial constraints.
Payment Structure
Standard industry practice dictates that a non-refundable deposit, often 50% of the total quoted price, is required before the artist begins work. This deposit protects the artist’s time and secures the client’s place in the production queue. The remaining balance is due upon final approval and before the final files or physical artwork are delivered. Any changes to the project’s scope after the agreement is made will necessitate a scope change fee and an adjustment to the timeline.
Contracts and Usage Rights
A written contract or service agreement is necessary to formalize the understanding and protect both parties. This agreement should clearly delineate project specifications, the fee structure, the production timeline, and the number of complimentary revision rounds included. Clients must carefully read and understand the terms regarding intellectual property and usage rights, which are often the most complex part of the contract.
The agreement must explicitly define whether the client is purchasing the artwork for personal or commercial use, which involves a specific license grant. Personal display typically means the artist retains the copyright and the right to display the work in their portfolio. A commercial license grants the client specific rights to reproduce and distribute the work for profit, usually for a significantly higher fee.
Managing Communication and the Revision Process
Maintaining a professional and respectful communication style is important once the contract and payment are secured and the project is underway. Clients should respect the artist’s established communication channels and avoid excessive or unscheduled check-ins. It is best to consolidate all questions or feedback into a single, comprehensive message rather than sending a stream of separate thoughts.
When the artist provides work-in-progress updates, such as initial sketches or color mockups, the client must offer clear, constructive, and actionable feedback. Vague statements like “it doesn’t look right” are unhelpful. Instead, the client should specify changes, such as “the character’s arm needs to be positioned higher to show action.” Feedback should always be grounded in the original project brief and the agreed-upon vision.
The client must strictly adhere to the revision limits defined in the contract. Revisions are typically provided in designated stages, such as the sketch phase and the color phase. Requesting major changes that drastically alter the project’s direction outside of the agreed-upon scope constitutes a new request. This will incur additional fees and extend the original timeline.
Final Delivery and Professional Follow-Up
Upon the artist presenting the finished artwork, the client should conduct a final review to ensure all specifications and agreed-upon revisions have been met. If satisfied, they must promptly remit the final outstanding balance as stipulated in the contract. Only after the final payment clears will the artist release the high-resolution digital files or ship the physical artwork.
Once the client receives the final piece, offering public credit to the artist is expected whenever the work is shared online, such as on social media or a personal website. This practice helps the artist gain exposure and new clients. Providing a brief, positive testimonial about the commissioning experience is also a valuable gesture for the artist’s marketing. Offering a monetary tip is a thoughtful way to show appreciation for exceptional service.