The Commission Process

An art commission is a piece of work that you are asking the artist to develop for you for a fee.

There are many reasons to commission a painting.

• You may like a piece of work by the artist, but the size may not be appropriate so you may ask the artist to develop a similar piece to suit your space or budget.
• The artwork you were interested in has been sold, so is unavailable for you to purchase.
• You may want a piece of available artwork altered, such as using a slightly different colour scheme or composition (such as adding or subtracting subjects or changing the background colours).
• You may have a concept or your own photographs that you would like developed into a painting in the artist's style (see the Terms of Service link regarding copyright).
• You may be commemorating an event (birthday, anniversary, death of a pet or family member/friend).

Please fill out the following form or email kelly.batsiokis@gmail.com with your specifications. You should consider addressing the dot points in the question below, & incorporate answers to these questions in your email if you are not using the form.

Alternatively use the Contact Us page to describe your concept. The next step is usually to arrange a discussion regarding your specifications before a quote can be emailed to you which will form part of our Service Agreement. 

How long is a piece of string? This is a really difficult question to answer as it depends on a number of factors:

• size - is it large or small?
• copyright - does the artist have to seek permission from the photographer to use the reference image chosen?
• complexity - is it a full scene with a detailed background & multiple subjects, a highly detailed realistic subject, or simpler subject with a basic  background?
• originality - is it based on a new photo or is it based on something the artist has created in the past?
• finishing - framing/ shipping requirements?
• budget - the artist can adjust scope according to your budget
• timeline and capacity - your specified timeline & the artists current availability to meet your deadline. 

Between two weeks & two months is the general timeline. On average, most commissions are allocated four weeks.

Commissioned artworks are more expensive than an equivalent 'off the shelf' artwork of the size you are interested in. Between 30% - 50% more expensive, as a guide. You are mainly paying for the extra time required to extract your expectations so that everybody is happy with the outcome. 

The cleared non-refundable deposit is required for the following reasons:

• It enables the artist to buy materials and cover their costs as commissioned/customised paintings are often very difficult to sell if the process is cancelled.
• There is a lot more consultation involved in a commissioned work which makes the process a lot more time consuming. Commissions usually are allowed two (2) check-points involving a discussion about the process and the opportunity to request changes (mid-point and before completion). If it is a very large complex work, the artist will recommend three (3) check-points as more work goes into the concept drawing to ensure expectations are aligned. Once there is agreement from the commissioner & a deposit received, the artist will start the actual work. The larger, more complex the commission, the more time consuming, & the more risk to to the artist.
• Commissions are a luxury item & the deposit is an act of good faith that the commissioner will pay the balance as agreed, on completion. Remember, the commission is being developed as a service to you, it is not a piece the artist was inspired to create on their own. It is a bespoke, hand-created piece. You cannot return or get a refund on a customised wedding dress or any item that has been altered.

Please view the artist's currently available work to understand the reasonable capability of the artist. There is subject matter flexibility (assuming the subject matter is not illegal, pornographic or otherwise offensive). Most birds/animals or human portraiture are possible, however the images you supply as reference must be clear/high quality, & yours (or you must have written permission from the photographer for the artist to use as art reference).

Abstract art is not the artists specialty. Abstract techniques are sometimes used in  backgrounds but pure abstracts will not be accepted (a recommendation to another artist may be made, however!).

Pure landscape is also not the artists specialty - however a basic scene can be incorporated into a concept (on agreement). A recommendation to another artist can also be made if your concept is outside of the artist's skill-set and comfort zone.