TL;DR
A Veranda report outlines how art buyers can commission a painting when they cannot find an existing work that suits their space or preferences. Gallery owner Mollie Creason and artists and gallery professionals say buyers should agree on budget, size and direction while giving the artist room to work; pricing, timelines and feedback arrangements vary.
Veranda has published advice for art buyers considering a custom painting, explaining how to approach an artist or gallery and what to settle before work begins. The report’s central point is that a commission can address a specific need for size, subject or color, but the result is a collaboration rather than an exact copy of a buyer’s reference.
The report defines a painting commission as an arrangement in which a client works directly with an artist, or is connected to one through a gallery owner or art broker, to buy a custom work. Artist and textile designer Erin Donahue Tice says a commission is often inspired by an artist’s earlier work or series, then adapted to suit the client’s space and requested subject, dimensions or color scheme.
Examples cited by Well + Wonder Artist Collective owner and chief curator Mollie Creason include portraits of children, landscapes tied to a client’s favorite place and paintings of family homes. Some clients ask for a work similar to an artist’s existing pieces in a particular size or palette; others provide a broader vision and let the artist decide how to realize it. Liz Lidgett, founder and owner of Liz Lidgett Gallery, says artists differ in how much direction they are comfortable receiving.
Buyers are advised to prepare practical details before contacting a gallery or artist: their total budget, preferred dimensions, possible subject matter and colors, and whether they already have an artist in mind. Fabric swatches or visual references can help communicate preferences, the report says, but requested details are not guaranteed. A gallery or broker may also explain whether an artist takes commissions and provide information on pricing, availability, schedules and expected deliverables.
A commission can offer a route to original art when a buyer has a particular space or subject in mind and cannot find a suitable existing work. The report presents that customization as its practical appeal, while also describing the process as a partnership: clients can share preferences, but the artist retains creative judgment.
That distinction matters before a buyer commits money. Someone expecting a precise reproduction or complete control over every detail may be disappointed, Donahue Tice says. A buyer comfortable trusting the artist’s vision may be better suited to the process. Discussing budget, scope, communication and deliverables early can help both sides understand what is being commissioned, though the report does not provide standard contract terms or pricing benchmarks.
The process can also bring the buyer into closer contact with an artist’s methods, according to Creason. Lidgett describes a family who loved an artist’s work and had a personal connection to bees; the artist incorporated a small bee into a painting while keeping the work consistent with the artist’s own style. The example illustrates how a personal detail may be included without dictating the entire composition.
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When Existing Art Does Not Fit
The advice addresses buyers whose search through galleries, antique shops or art shows has not turned up a work that meets a specific need. The report gives examples such as wanting a painting that complements a room’s colors, a family portrait or an image of a meaningful place. It does not report a new market trend or a change in the art trade; it is a service-oriented guide about a purchasing option.
According to the experts quoted, a commission may begin with an artist whose existing work a buyer already admires, even if the available pieces are sold or differ in size or color from what the buyer needs. A gallery or broker can help identify artists who accept commissions, including when a buyer has visual references but needs help finding an artist whose work and fees are a fit.
How much input a buyer can provide is not uniform. Some artists may share progress updates and invite feedback, while others may structure the process differently. The report says each artist’s approach varies, so buyers should ask about the process before agreeing to proceed.
“The greatest benefit of commissioning a painting is partnering with an artist you love to create a one-of-a-kind piece that will live in your home forever.”
— Mollie Creason, owner and chief curator of Well + Wonder Artist Collective
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Terms Depend on the Artist
The report does not give typical commission prices, payment schedules, contract terms, completion times or rules for revisions and cancellations. It also does not establish whether artists generally offer progress updates or let clients choose between multiple finished works. Those details remain specific to each artist and arrangement.
Nor is a requested color, subject or personal detail guaranteed. The report says such information can be shared with the artist, but the amount of direction accepted varies. Buyers should confirm what the artist is willing to include and how feedback will work before placing an order.
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Questions to Settle Before Work Begins
The report recommends starting with an artist or asking a gallery owner or broker for guidance. Before committing, a buyer can discuss the budget, intended dimensions, subject and palette, along with the artist’s availability and schedule. They can also ask what the quoted price covers, what deliverables to expect and whether the artist plans to send progress updates.
The next step depends on the individual artist: the supplied report does not identify a standard process or timeline. Buyers should agree on the scope and communication plan directly with the artist or intermediary, then allow the artist room to make the work in their own style.
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Key Questions
What does it mean to commission a painting?
It means arranging with an artist, directly or through a gallery or broker, to create a custom painting. The work may draw on the artist’s earlier pieces while adapting details such as size, color or subject.
What should I prepare before contacting an artist?
Be ready to discuss your budget and preferred dimensions, any subject or colors you have in mind, and whether you have chosen an artist. Swatches or visual examples may help communicate preferences, but they do not guarantee that every requested detail will be used.
Can I tell the artist exactly what to paint?
You can explain your preferences, but the amount of direction an artist accepts varies. The report describes commissions as collaborations and cautions that buyers seeking an exact copy may not be suited to the process.
How much does a commissioned painting cost, and how long does it take?
The report gives no standard prices or timelines. Ask the artist or gallery about pricing, availability and expected completion before agreeing to the commission.
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