Anatomy of a Commissioned Painting
You are looking for a special painting and maybe you don't see exactly what you want or the size doesn't exactly fit the place where you would like a piece of art.
Asking for a commissioned piece is the answer. I would like to take you through the steps of a commission that will answer most of your questions.
First off here is one photo of the finished piece so you'll have an idea of what was what.
So what we have here is an installed piece that includes 4 panels, each 20" wide and 60" tall.
Steps of a commission.
So first off we needed to agree on a few things: The size of the painting or paintings, in this case, 4 pieces that fit in the indentations of their wall. We had 4 panels 20x60 each.
What goes on the panels? In this case, it was sunsets looking towards the beautiful Rocky mountains west of Denver, Colorado as the clients have seen most of their lives.
Medium and type of panels. These clients were fans of my watercolor paintings on gallery-wrapped canvas panels. Panels will be finished and protected so there will be no need for glass protection. Sides will be painted so a frame will not be needed.
Price and timeline most definitely need to be discussed. So here is where we get a ballpark figure and timeline. $2-3K per panel which includes delivery and installation and a timeline of 90-100 days.
All is agreed upon and we set a timeline of 14 days to sit again with a definite dollar amount and a color idea of my vision and we will agree on changes and ideas.
This is the presentation to the clients along with a contract that allows for delivery within 100 days and a final price of $2500/panel. 25% up front, 25% midway and the last 50% at delivery and installation. I agreed to provide progress photos as well as visits to my studio.
I know there isn't much to see here but I have to start somewhere.
OK, now we are moving forward.
So watercolor on canvas is a very repetitive process. It's drippy and messy and it rarely looks like you thought it might at the end of a session but it's sooo exciting and expressive. Love, love the process.
85-95% Done
I need highlights and a few other distinctive marks in the foreground to indicate buildings and a few city lights. You can then hit me on the head and tell me it's done. Once finished and it has sat for a week or so I spray a fixative followed by two coats of UV protection. Two coats of a protective finish is applied and that's all she wrote.
All installed and everyone is happy. I was glad I added the 10 extra days from the 90 day completion limit I had originally thought. This was a bit more complex than I first thought. I learn a little something from every commission.
