Landing a commissioned art project is exciting, but it can also be a nerve racking
experience if not handled well from the outset.
Today I’m going to share some secrets I’ve learned that will help you next time the
prospect of a commissioned artwork arises.
I was a self employed airbrush artist for four years and learned the hard way about
commissioned work - virtually everything I did was on commission: people rarely buy
airbrush artwork that is already created. So, after numerous successful
commissioned works on motorcycles, cars, RVs, T-shirts, and softball helmets I have
a few key tips regarding what works and what doesn’t when it comes to accepting a
commission and following through with the goods.
Set Clear Expectations for Yourself and the Client
Without a doubt this is the most important thing that you must do before accepting a
commissioned work. You need to be up front about everything from the outset.
Although the client has likely seen a few pieces of your work, make sure to emphasize
that his or her commissioned piece will be similar in style and technique.
People tend to think that because you’re an artist and can paint a picture, then you can
paint anything. As we all know this is not true. An artist works hard to perfect his or her
style, and may or may not be able to paint what the client desires. The goal here is to
manage client expectations - be clear about your style, color palette, capabilities, and
working process. Listen to the client, and then speak at length with him (or her) to get
the picture out of his head and into yours. Once everything is clear, then proceed to
pricing etc.
Never Quote Immediately
A lot of clients will be pushy and insist on a quote up front immediately. DON’T DO IT.
Simply get his or her contact information and tell him/her that you will call within 24
hours with an estimate. This makes you more professional. Don’t get pushed around
when it comes to pricing your work. Value yourself and your time. If the client has a
problem with that and doesn’t want to wait then you don’t want to do business with
him/her anyway.
Quote High
Virtually every artist I know undersells his/her own work. If you want to be paid what you’
re worth then you must take time to consider the entire commission project - research,
preliminary sketches, materials required, gas and travel expenses, sanity, and
completion of the final piece. Once you know exactly what you’re getting into you can
make an educated estimate for the client. This is what I suggest - carefully calculate all
the work and materials required for the project, come up with a figure in your mind of
what you’d like to be paid, then double it. This is the figure you go to the client with.
Commissions are always more work than expected, and people frequently want to
negotiate. Go in with that mindset. Quote high and with confidence. If the client accepts
then fantastic, but if he wants to negotiate you have given yourself some working room.
Always know before you go into any negotiation the least you are willing to accept for
the project, and never go lower - if you have to let the job go then so be it. It’s better
than slaving resentfully over a project that you wouldn’t have painted otherwise. Value
your time and work and others will value it also.
When you get paid well you create better work, and you will work harder to please the
client.
Get 50% Up Front
No exceptions here. You must get paid 50% of the agreed price before doing a single
second of work on the project. There are three reasons for this.
First and most obvious, you’re eliminating the risk of working and not getting paid. This
eases your mind and you can relax more while creating the work.
Second, you test how serious the client really is - if he will not pay now, it’s going to be
tough to get anything from him later, and if you do it won’t be the full amount.
Lastly, you work harder when you’ve been paid for something you have yet to provide.
You will produce better work, and the client will be happier.
If you don’t take the business side of your art profession seriously, you’re not taking
your art seriously. It can be tough to ask for money up front, but you must be confident -
we do it all the time. You pay first at fast food restaurants then get the food. You pay for
books online then receive them in the mail. You will be more respected and taken
more seriously if you request 50% up front. Just do it.
experience if not handled well from the outset.
Today I’m going to share some secrets I’ve learned that will help you next time the
prospect of a commissioned artwork arises.
I was a self employed airbrush artist for four years and learned the hard way about
commissioned work - virtually everything I did was on commission: people rarely buy
airbrush artwork that is already created. So, after numerous successful
commissioned works on motorcycles, cars, RVs, T-shirts, and softball helmets I have
a few key tips regarding what works and what doesn’t when it comes to accepting a
commission and following through with the goods.
Set Clear Expectations for Yourself and the Client
Without a doubt this is the most important thing that you must do before accepting a
commissioned work. You need to be up front about everything from the outset.
Although the client has likely seen a few pieces of your work, make sure to emphasize
that his or her commissioned piece will be similar in style and technique.
People tend to think that because you’re an artist and can paint a picture, then you can
paint anything. As we all know this is not true. An artist works hard to perfect his or her
style, and may or may not be able to paint what the client desires. The goal here is to
manage client expectations - be clear about your style, color palette, capabilities, and
working process. Listen to the client, and then speak at length with him (or her) to get
the picture out of his head and into yours. Once everything is clear, then proceed to
pricing etc.
Never Quote Immediately
A lot of clients will be pushy and insist on a quote up front immediately. DON’T DO IT.
Simply get his or her contact information and tell him/her that you will call within 24
hours with an estimate. This makes you more professional. Don’t get pushed around
when it comes to pricing your work. Value yourself and your time. If the client has a
problem with that and doesn’t want to wait then you don’t want to do business with
him/her anyway.
Quote High
Virtually every artist I know undersells his/her own work. If you want to be paid what you’
re worth then you must take time to consider the entire commission project - research,
preliminary sketches, materials required, gas and travel expenses, sanity, and
completion of the final piece. Once you know exactly what you’re getting into you can
make an educated estimate for the client. This is what I suggest - carefully calculate all
the work and materials required for the project, come up with a figure in your mind of
what you’d like to be paid, then double it. This is the figure you go to the client with.
Commissions are always more work than expected, and people frequently want to
negotiate. Go in with that mindset. Quote high and with confidence. If the client accepts
then fantastic, but if he wants to negotiate you have given yourself some working room.
Always know before you go into any negotiation the least you are willing to accept for
the project, and never go lower - if you have to let the job go then so be it. It’s better
than slaving resentfully over a project that you wouldn’t have painted otherwise. Value
your time and work and others will value it also.
When you get paid well you create better work, and you will work harder to please the
client.
Get 50% Up Front
No exceptions here. You must get paid 50% of the agreed price before doing a single
second of work on the project. There are three reasons for this.
First and most obvious, you’re eliminating the risk of working and not getting paid. This
eases your mind and you can relax more while creating the work.
Second, you test how serious the client really is - if he will not pay now, it’s going to be
tough to get anything from him later, and if you do it won’t be the full amount.
Lastly, you work harder when you’ve been paid for something you have yet to provide.
You will produce better work, and the client will be happier.
If you don’t take the business side of your art profession seriously, you’re not taking
your art seriously. It can be tough to ask for money up front, but you must be confident -
we do it all the time. You pay first at fast food restaurants then get the food. You pay for
books online then receive them in the mail. You will be more respected and taken
more seriously if you request 50% up front. Just do it.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Get Paid More and Make Clients Happier with Your Next
Commissioned Artwork
Commissioned Artwork
| |||||||||||||||||||||
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| © 2009 Print That Image, All Rights Reserved P.O. Box 222, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302 |
This article is copyright © 2009 Chris Kennedy, www.PrintThatImage.com.
PrintThatImage.com offers giclee printing in the Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and South
Florida Area. We also provide giclee and fine art printing services online nationwide
to fine artists, photographers, galleries, and frame shops.
PrintThatImage.com offers giclee printing in the Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and South
Florida Area. We also provide giclee and fine art printing services online nationwide
to fine artists, photographers, galleries, and frame shops.
Decorative Printing Specialists (954) 353-1095