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A Veranda report outlines how people can commission a painting when they cannot find an existing work suited to their space or preferences. Artists and gallery owners say clients should discuss budget, size and desired colors or subjects while giving the artist room to work. Pricing, timelines and approval steps vary by artist.
Veranda has published a guide to commissioning a painting, explaining how buyers can work with an artist when existing artwork does not meet their needs for size, color or subject. Artists and gallery professionals interviewed for the report say a successful commission depends on agreeing on practical details while trusting the artist’s creative process.
A commission is a custom painting made after a client connects with an artist directly or through a gallery owner or art broker. Artist and textile designer Erin Donahue Tice told Veranda that such work is often inspired by an artist’s earlier piece or series, then adapted to the client’s specifications. Those may include the painting’s dimensions, color scheme or subject.
The report describes commissions ranging from portraits and landscapes to work inspired by a family home. Some clients give an artist considerable freedom, while others share a more specific brief. Gallery owner Liz Lidgett said artists differ in how much direction they are comfortable incorporating, so clients should ask about an artist’s process before committing.
People considering a commission can approach a gallery or broker for help identifying artists who accept custom work and learning about price, availability and timing. Lidgett said buyers should be prepared to discuss their budget, preferred dimensions, any artist they already have in mind, and colors or objects they hope to include. Reference images or fabric samples can help communicate preferences, though requested details are not guaranteed.
Setting Expectations for Custom Art
A commission offers a way to buy work tailored to a particular home or personal interest when a ready-made painting is not a suitable fit. It also asks the buyer to accept a different kind of purchasing process: the finished artwork may not be fully visible at the outset, and the artist’s interpretation may differ from what the client imagined.
That distinction matters for both budget and expectations. The sources quoted by Veranda describe commissioning as a collaboration, not a directive process. Clients can communicate what matters to them, but an artist’s willingness to follow detailed instructions varies. Agreeing on the scope and process beforehand can help buyers decide whether a commission suits them.
The article also presents commissions as a way to work directly with and support an artist. That benefit is personal rather than a guarantee of financial return or lasting value. The report does not establish that custom paintings will appreciate, retain value or satisfy every client over time.
custom portrait painting commission
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From Existing Work to Custom Requests
The guide frames commissioning as an option for people who already respond to an artist’s work but need something different from the available pieces. A buyer might want an existing style in another size or color, or ask for a personal reference—such as a meaningful place or family detail—to inform a new painting.
According to the artists and gallery professionals cited, the level of input is not the same for every commission. Some artists share progress updates and invite feedback; others may offer fewer opportunities for client involvement. The supplied report excerpt says some artists create two pieces for a client to choose between, but it does not establish how common that practice is or give details of terms, costs or revision limits.
““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, as quoted by Veranda
Costs, Timing and Approval Terms
The supplied report does not give standard commission prices, expected turnaround times or a typical deposit and payment structure. Those details may differ by artist and project, so buyers need to request them directly before agreeing to a commission.
It is also unclear from the source how many artists provide progress images, how much revision they allow, or whether a client can reject a completed painting. The guide says processes vary and that some artists may send updates, but it does not provide a universal set of terms. Buyers should clarify deliverables and feedback opportunities with the artist or intermediary.
Questions to Resolve Before Booking
For anyone considering a commission, the next step is to contact an artist, gallery or broker and discuss the project before placing an order. Buyers can bring reference images, measurements and a clear budget, then ask whether the artist accepts commissions and how the work will proceed.
Before paying, clients should seek written confirmation of the agreed size, subject or other requested elements, total price, estimated schedule, payment terms, shipping or delivery arrangements, and the number of progress reviews or revisions included. The source does not report a new policy or forthcoming industry milestone; the practical next development will depend on the individual artist and the terms agreed with the client.
Key Questions
What does it mean to commission a painting?
It means hiring an artist to create an original work for a client, often with agreed preferences for size, colors or subject. The artist’s process and the amount of client direction vary.
How do I find an artist who accepts commissions?
Contact an artist whose work you already like, or ask a gallery owner or art broker for recommendations. The report says intermediaries may be able to discuss availability, pricing and timing.
What should I discuss before commissioning a painting?
Talk through your budget, dimensions, subject preferences and desired colors. Also ask about the schedule, payment terms, delivery, progress updates and opportunities for feedback.
Can I tell the artist exactly what to paint?
You can explain what matters to you, but artists differ in how much direction they accept. Veranda’s sources describe a commission as a partnership, not a guarantee that every requested detail will appear exactly as specified.
Will a commissioned painting be a copy of an existing work?
Not necessarily. Commissions may draw inspiration from an artist’s earlier work while remaining original. Artist Erin Donahue Tice told Veranda that people seeking an exact duplicate may not be suited to the process.
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