Commissioning Original Art: What to Expect When You Hire an Artist
What is a painting commission?
A painting commission is when a collector or client approaches an artist directly and asks them to create a specific piece of artwork — often to a brief. It might be a portrait, a landscape of a meaningful place, or a piece made to match a particular interior. For many people, it feels like the ultimate way to own original art.
But the reality of commissioning a painting is more nuanced than it first appears — and it's worth understanding how different artists approach it before you pick up the phone.
Why many artists love commission work
For a lot of artists, commissions are the backbone of their income. They offer a reliable, predictable revenue stream in an otherwise unpredictable profession. There's also a real satisfaction in creating something deeply personal for a client — a portrait of a loved one, a scene from a family holiday, a piece made to fit a specific wall.
If you're looking to commission a painting, there are many talented artists who actively seek this kind of work and will thrive on the brief you give them. It can be a wonderful, collaborative experience.
Why I don't take prescriptive commissions
I'll be honest: I don't actively look for commission work, and I rarely take on prescriptive commissions — where a client has a very specific outcome in mind.
The reason is simple. When someone gives me a detailed brief, I spend the entire process second-guessing what's inside their head. Am I capturing the right mood? Is the colour palette what they imagined? That uncertainty gets in the way of the work itself — and I never produce my best painting under those conditions. That's not good for me, and it's certainly not good for the client.
My work is at its strongest when I'm painting what I feel compelled to paint. That's when the energy, the looseness, and the confidence come through — the qualities that make the piece worth owning in the first place.
What I offer instead
Rather than commissions, I offer something I believe is more valuable: original paintings with a satisfaction guarantee.
Every piece I sell comes with the assurance that if you're not happy, we'll make it right. You're buying a finished work that already exists — you can see exactly what you're getting, how it feels, how it moves. There's no leap of faith required.
Prices range from £50 for miniatures to around £3,000 for large 91cm square canvas paintings — all with free worldwide delivery included. Whether you're looking for something intimate for a bedside table or a statement piece for a living room wall, there's a painting ready to go.
There's also a practical advantage: paintings created freely, without a brief, tend to hold and grow their resale value better than commissioned pieces. They exist as complete artistic statements rather than bespoke objects tied to a specific request and client.
Tips if you are commissioning an artist
If a commission is what you're after, here's what to look for:
- Find an artist whose existing work you already love. Don't ask an artist to paint in a style that isn't theirs.
- Be clear, but leave room. The best commissions give the artist creative latitude within a loose framework.
- Agree on a process upfront — deposits, revision stages, timelines, and what happens if you're not satisfied.
- Trust the artist. Micromanaging a commission rarely ends well for either party.
Browse my available work
If you're drawn to my paintings, the best way to own one is to browse what's already available. Each piece is ready to ship, comes with full provenance, and is backed by my satisfaction guarantee. Prices start at £50 and include free worldwide delivery.