TL;DR
A Veranda report outlines how commissioning a painting works and what clients should discuss with an artist or gallery before starting. The process can address specific needs such as size, color and subject, but it calls for trust in the artist’s approach and clear expectations about budget, timeline and feedback.
Veranda has published a guide to commissioning paintings, describing how clients can work with artists to create art tailored to a particular space, subject or color scheme. The report draws on comments from artists and gallery professionals and highlights the need to agree on budget, size and expectations while giving the artist room to work.
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A commission is a custom painting made through a direct relationship between a client and an artist, sometimes arranged by a gallery owner or art broker. The report quotes Mollie Creason, owner and chief curator of Well + Wonder Artist Collective, saying commissioned work often takes inspiration from an artist’s existing piece or series but is adapted to the client’s specifications.
Those specifications may include dimensions, colors and subject matter. Examples in the report include a portrait of a child, a landscape tied to a favorite place, or a painting inspired by a family home. Some clients offer a broad idea and leave most creative decisions to the artist; others provide more direction. The degree of input an artist welcomes varies.
Before approaching an artist, clients should be ready to discuss their total budget, preferred size and any desired colors or objects. Liz Lidgett, founder and owner of Liz Lidgett Gallery, says fabric swatches or visual examples can help communicate preferences, although requested details are not guaranteed. A gallery or broker may help identify artists who accept commissions and explain their pricing, availability, process and deliverables.
A commission can help when available artwork does not fit a room or the buyer’s specific needs. Rather than settling for a piece that is too large, too small or missing a meaningful subject, a client can work with an artist whose existing work they value and discuss changes suited to the intended space.
That customization does not make the buyer the sole creative decision-maker. The report characterizes commissions as a partnership: clients share goals and preferences, while artists retain their own methods and artistic judgment. That distinction matters to anyone expecting an exact copy of a reference image or complete control over the finished painting.
The process also involves uncertainty: a client may not know precisely how the final work will look until it is complete. The report’s sources recommend choosing an artist whose work already appeals to the client and being comfortable with that artist’s vision, rather than treating a commission as a guaranteed replica.
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From Existing Work to Custom Art
The Veranda report presents commissions as one option for people who have searched galleries, antique shops or art shows without finding a suitable piece. A client might want a particular scale or colorway, or a subject with personal meaning that is not available in an artist’s existing collection.
Creason describes commissions based on artists’ earlier work as well as projects developed around a client’s personal subject. Artist and textile designer Erin Donahue Tice says clients can set general parameters, but the working relationship remains collaborative. The report also notes that some artists send progress updates for feedback, while individual procedures differ.
“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
Costs and Timelines Vary
The supplied report material does not give standard commission prices, typical completion times or contract terms. It says galleries or brokers can share information about pricing, availability, timeline and what the artist will provide, but those details depend on the artist and project.
It is also not clear from the material whether every artist offers progress updates, how many revisions may be available, or whether a client can reject a finished work. The report says processes differ and some artists may create two options for a client to choose from. Clients would need to confirm the specific arrangement directly before proceeding.
Agree on Terms Before Work
The next step for a prospective client is to contact an artist, gallery owner or broker and discuss fit, budget, dimensions, subject, schedule and the artist’s process. Clients can bring reference images or material samples to explain their preferences, while asking which elements the artist can incorporate and which remain at the artist’s discretion.
Before work begins, the client and artist should clarify expected deliverables, payment arrangements, progress check-ins and any feedback or revision process. The report does not set a universal standard for these terms, so the details remain specific to each commission.
Key Questions
What does it mean to commission a painting?
It means arranging for an artist to make a custom work for a client, sometimes with help from a gallery or broker. The client and artist discuss preferences such as size, color and subject.
How much direction should a client give?
That depends on the artist. Clients can explain what matters to them, but should ask how much input the artist welcomes. The report describes the process as a partnership, not a guarantee of an exact copy.
What should I prepare before contacting an artist?
Be ready to discuss your budget, preferred dimensions and any subject or colors you have in mind. Reference images or fabric swatches can help convey preferences, though the artist may not be able to include every requested detail.
How long does a commissioned painting take?
The supplied report does not give a standard timeline. It recommends asking the artist or a gallery about availability and the expected schedule for the particular project.
Can I choose between different versions?
Some artists may create more than one option, but the report says each artist’s process differs. Confirm in advance whether alternatives, progress updates or revisions are part of the agreement.
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