Y ou've just been approached by someone who loves your work and is excitedly presenting you with an thought for a custom piece.

It'southward easy to get swept abroad in the flattery, but there is a lot to keep in mind before accepting a commission.

While well-nigh commissions get off without a hitch, there are likewise enough of horror stories where a seemingly promising commission turned into a miserable, never-catastrophe nightmare.

Knowing what questions to ask earlier you have a commission tin aid you avert any potentially stressful or less-than-desirable situations. The more yous communicate, and the more both you and your client understand about the upcoming projection, the smoother the whole process volition exist.

We put together a listing of ten questions to answer before you commit to a committee.

Am I capable of completing this project?

Especially at the commencement of your career, it tin be tempting to say "aye" to every opportunity. However, be honest with yourself most your capabilities and your limitations. Does the proposed projection include any techniques or materials with which you are unfamiliar? If the project is outside of your skillset, information technology's better to say "no", than to promise something you can't deliver. This will just stress you out, and disappoint your client.

You can't be a master at everything. Oftentimes, clients aren't aware of the differences or restrictions of certain materials—simply because they aren't as familiar with the process as y'all. Information technology'southward your chore to educate them about what is possible and what you are capable of completing—and steering them in a direction of something that is.

How long will this project take me?

Proceed in mind that creating a custom slice is a unlike process than creating a work on your own. Unless it is a replica of one of your electric current pieces, it will likely have more time to complete. In that location is more dorsum-and-along, more advice, and more trial and error than with your regular line of work.

Calculate how long you recollect a project like this would have if it was something you were familiar with and then multiply that time past a third. Yous don't want to discover yourself in a position where you over-committed on a fourth dimension-frame and are rushing to finish a piece, or find yourself extending the deadline. It'southward improve to set up a realistic timeline (even if it's a little long) and surprise them when the project is done early than working in loftier-stress atmospheric condition.

Practise I work well with other people?

Being an artist is inherently a solo endeavor. With long hours alone in the studio, it can exist quite jarring to all all of a sudden accept someone else involved in your determination making and creative procedure. Is information technology highly-seasoned to you to piece of work closely with someone else? How volition you feel when you are pushed in a direction you don't necessarily want to be pushed? Are you ready to communicate, fifty-fifty when you don't feel like it?

Being social can be the key to art business success, simply knowing what you lot are upwards for is just every bit important.

Does this project fit with my artistic goals and how much does that matter to me right at present?

Not every projection has to be an extension of your current aesthetic. It might be easier, but enquire yourself how of import that is to you at the current place in your career. It's not selling out to take on a project exterior of what you would usually be making. Everyone needs to make money, and everyone deserves a steady career. Taking on a project that is outside of your condolement zone could open up new doors, give you new ideas, and introduce you to new people and clients.

Then once again, perhaps y'all are later in your career, and it's simply not feasible, or worth the time and stress of working on a commission that is not aligned with your electric current goals. It'due south actually upwards to you.

Tin can they put downwards a deposit?

The last thing you want is to put in the effort, time, and overhead, and not become paid. Ask your client to put down a percentage of the final piece before y'all start working on it. That way, you are both invested in the outcome.

Determine what feels fair to you lot. If your final product is worth $1500, perchance $600 feels like enough to both get you through the fourth dimension it takes to make the work, and as a security protection for you. We've seen artists take anywhere from 25-40% not-refundable downwardly payments on their work. Set a percentage that works for you, and stick to information technology.

Would they like to come across samples of my other work?

A good way to know that you and your client are on the same page is by going over multiple samples of your past work. Brand certain they see the range of what you are capable of doing and they become a skilful thought of the overview of your work. Prepare them upwardly with the expectation that they aren't going to receive an exact replica of a previous slice.

See if there are certain pieces that they like more than others. Ask them what they prefer well-nigh those pieces. Ask if at that place is anything they specifically don't similar. What big themes, techniques or generalizations practice they like? If in that location is something that they don't like that you tin can't change (canvas texture, certain colors, etc.) allow them know ahead of time. Being clear about what is possible, or not possible, helps temper false expectations.

A proficient fashion to show them your previous piece of work is through customizable inventory reports with Artwork Archive.

How involved will they be in the process?

How often will they check in along the manner? Establish some benchmarks that you lot will show them your progress with, and then they aren't left in the night, but besides aren't hovering. Allow'southward say you ready up a four-calendar week window for a painting: ask them if sending them pictures of the sketches, and then i photo a calendar week until completion is sufficient. This way, y'all contrivance any potential disasters before information technology'due south also late and they can get a experience for where the painting is heading.

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

Ask your customer how they adopt to communicate throughout the process. Is e-mail best for them? Will shooting them a text with a few progress shots piece of work? Do they prefer to see the pictures and have a follow-upwardly phone conversation? Or, do they want to physically come by the studio and see the work in person? Depending on the size and scope of the project, besides every bit the person, this volition vary. Communication is crucial to this process going smoothly, and establishing how that advice is going to happen is one-half the battle.

Have they commissioned any pieces before?

Typically, if the person you are working with has commissioned a number of pieces before, they will know how to work with you likewise. If you lot are on the fence about information technology yet or have reservations, don't feel scared to ask for a reference from one of their previously commissioned artists.

Do they have any other questions?

Ongoing communication is the essential chemical element to accepting commission work. The more you communicate, ask questions, and accept questions, the more rewarding the procedure volition be for both parties.

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