10 Questions to Ask Before Accepting an Art Commission

YYou've just been approached by someone who loves your work and is enthusiastic about offering you an idea for a custom piece.

It's easy to be flattered, but there's a lot to keep in mind before accepting an order.

While most orders are completed without a hitch, there are also plenty of horror stories in which seemingly a promising commission turned into a miserable, never-ending nightmare.

Knowing what questions to ask before accepting a commission can help you avoid any potentially stressful or unwanted situations. The more you communicate and the more you and your client understand about the upcoming project, the smoother the whole process will be.

We've compiled a list of ten questions to answer before you make a commitment.

Am I able to complete this project?

Especially early in your career, it can be tempting to say yes to every opportunity. However, be honest with yourself about your abilities and limitations. Does the proposed project involve any methods or materials that you are not familiar with? If a project is beyond your skill set, it's better to say no than to promise something you can't deliver. This will only cause you stress and disappoint your client.

You can't be a master at everything. Often clients are not aware of the differences or limitations of certain materials simply because they are not as familiar with the process as you are. Your job is to tell them what is possible and what you can do, and steer them in the right direction.

How long will this project take me?

Keep in mind that creating a custom piece is a different process than creating a piece on your own. Unless it's a copy of one of your current pieces, it will likely take longer to complete. There is more correspondence, more communication and more trial and error than in your usual work.

Calculate how long you think such a project would take if it were something you were familiar with, and then multiply that time by a third. You don't want to end up in a situation where you overdo it with deadlines and rush to finish the job or extend the deadline. It's better to set a realistic schedule (even if it's a bit long) and surprise them when the project is completed early than to work under high stress.

Am I good at working with other people?

Being an artist is inherently a solo endeavor. Long hours alone in the studio can be irritating when someone is suddenly involved in the decision making and creative process. Are you interested in working closely with someone else? How do you feel when you are pushed in a direction that you don't necessarily want to be pushed in? Are you ready to communicate, even if you don't feel like it?

but knowing what you're up to is just as important.

Does this project meet my artistic goals and how important is it for me now?

Not every project needs to be an extension of your current aesthetic. It may be easier, but ask yourself how important this is to you at the current stage of your career. It's not a sale to take on a project that's outside of what you normally do. Everyone needs to earn money and everyone deserves a stable career. Working on a project that is outside of your comfort zone can open new doors, give you new ideas, and introduce you to new people and clients.

On the other hand, you may be at a later stage in your career and it's simply not feasible or worth the time and effort involved in working on a commission that doesn't fit with your current goals. It really depends on you.

Can they make a deposit?

The last thing you want is to invest effort, time, and overhead, not to receive money. Ask your client to contribute a percentage of the final piece before you start working on it. Thus, both of you are interested in the result.

Decide what feels right to you. If your final product costs $1500, maybe $600 will be enough to get you through the time it takes to get the job done and as protection for you. We have seen artists take 25 to 40% non-refundable upfront fees for their work. Set a percentage that works for you and stick to it.

Would they like to see samples of my other work?

A good way to make sure you and your client are on the same wavelength is to look at a few samples of your past work. Make sure they see the range of what you can do and they get a good idea of ​​your work. Adjust them with the expectation that they will not receive an exact copy of the previous part.

See if there are certain parts they like more than others. Ask them what they prefer in these pieces. Ask if there is anything in particular they don't like. What big themes, techniques, or generalizations do they like? If there is something they don't like that you can't change (canvas texture, certain colors, etc.), please let us know in advance. Having a clear idea of ​​what is possible and what is not helps to temper false expectations.

Nice way to show them your previous work

How involved will they be in the process?

How often will they stop by along the way? Set a few milestones to show them your progress so they don't get confused, but they don't get stuck either. Let's say you set a four-week window for a painting: ask them if they send them photos of the sketches, and then one photo a week is enough until completion. This way you avoid any potential disasters before it's too late and they can get a feel for where the picture is headed.

What is the best way to contact them throughout the creation time?

Ask your client how they prefer to communicate throughout the process. Is email better for them? Will text with multiple progress frames work? Do they prefer to look at the pictures and the subsequent phone conversation? Or do they want to physically come into the studio and see the work in person? Depending on the size and scale of the project, as well as the person, this will vary. Communication is critical to making this process run smoothly, and establishing how that communication will take place is half the battle.

Have they already ordered any items?

Generally, if the person you work with has already ordered several items, they will also know how to work with you. If you're still in doubt or have reservations, don't be afraid to ask for references from one of their previously hired artists.

Do they have other questions?

Constant communication is an important element in accepting commissioned work. The more you communicate, ask questions, and accept questions, the more beneficial the process will be for both parties.

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