Have you seen one of my oil paintings in person and afterwards kept returning to the thought of it hanging in your home only to discover it has sold? Is one of my paintings speaking to you but does not fit in your space? Are there places you remember from times past that are no longer the same or are too difficult to get to and you would like that locale painted to honor a special memory? Are there colours you have in mind for a painting to work within a room you are designing? These are a few of the many reasons you may want to commission a painting rather then purchase one off the wall. If you love my work and you want a unique painting, here are some suggestions that will help me create the perfect piece of art for your home.
Where do we start?
When you are commissioning a painting it’s best you have an idea of what you want and where you wish to hang it. If you have a specific scene in mind, do you have photos available that you can provide along with a description of why the location is important to you? If the scene is familiar to me I may have reference images you can choose from. Have you looked through my recent work and believe my style and design sense suits your tastes and the subject you have in mind? I suggest we start by discussing your ideas.
Subject
I am a landscape painter and I prefer to paint the landscapes familiar to me such as central and southern Alberta including the Canadian Rockies, and the interior of British Columbia. However, I also paint a lot of other subjects: old houses and barns in particular and the occasional old truck or piece of farm machinery. If you have a scene or subject in mind and can provide clear photos with lots of detail, then let’s talk.
And should you have a favorite from among some of my previous work and are interested in something along that line, I work from my own reference images and have a large inventory of photos to choose from. Keep in mind that no two paintings will ever be exactly a-like and each will always have its own distinct voice.
Size
Where do you plan on hanging the painting and what size is that wall? Are there other pieces of art hanging in this general area and are you adding to a grouping or is the piece intended to hang by itself and anchor that wall? Smaller paintings may find their special place easily, however larger paintings may best convey the mood you are looking for. Ideally, large pieces fit in the middle of a wall, equally spaced from each adjacent wall, with the center matching the center of any other artwork hung in the room, and are visible from as many different vantage points as possible.
If you are considering a large painting but are unsure what size might work, I recommend you start by marking out a rough square or rectangular box on the intended wall using masking tape. Stand back and look at it and ask yourself if it is big enough, does it fit the space without looking awkward, and does it look in keeping with the other elements in the room. Keep adjusting the tape until you like the size and shape. In some cases I may be able to look at your space and assist you with selecting the size. I should be able to find a standard sized painting support that will closely approximate the size you feel fits best: if not then we may need to consider having a custom support built.
Framing
Framing is up to the customer. Edges are finished in black or I may pull some colour around the sides to cover the white of the canvas. Large gallery-wrap supports will look fine without a frame. You will receive your painting ready to hang with suitable hardware attached. However, I do recommend framing. Paintings always look best in a carefully selected frame, and frames add protection.
Contract and Terms
I prefer keeping our agreement simple and feel that if we have spent enough time going over your ideas and the specifics related to the project, the finished painting should meet your expectations. I require a 50% deposit in advance with the remainder due when you receive the painting. I will email you a photo when I consider the piece finished and you should be able to tell quite quickly whether you want any adjustments made or if the painting is satisfactory. I will make minor adjustments and changes following your review however the truest test is to see the painting hanging on your wall. If you are unhappy with the painting when you see it on your wall, I will give the commission one more attempt after the first painting has been returned and we have discussed what you like and dislike about it. Of course, this is the ideal situation and the process works best if you live in or around the Calgary area. Otherwise shipping and delivery realities apply and we must work those costs and the payment schedule out in advance.
Price
My paintings are priced by size. Once you have an idea as to the size you want, I can give you a quote fairly quickly. Of course, any special requirements such as custom supports and/or shipping will affect price and may require additional time to calculate.
Timelines
Simply put, oils take time to dry and the creative process isn’t necessarily something that can be scheduled. Supports require appropriate preparation and curing prior to paint application. Once a painting is complete and the layers of paint are dry, final varnishing may need to be delayed for several months. I have delivered unvarnished work with the understanding that the customer will have the painting varnished at a later date. In most circumstances, you may be looking at anywhere from two to eight months.
Helpful Tips
Meet with the artist and discuss your ideas in person. If this isn’t possible, then start with an email conversation leading to at least one conversation by phone.
Go through the artist’s portfolio with the artist present and point out which paintings you like as well as the ones you don’t and explain what you like and don’t like. This can be done by email and then reviewed by phone as well.
Consider a diptych or triptych, a set of paintings that continue across two or three panels, adding an interesting horizontal dimension. These work especially well with landscapes and are also an interesting option to accommodate budget demands should you wish to add a panel or two to the original piece.
Keep in mind orientation, meaning a vertical piece or a horizontal piece, have quite different moods: vertical pieces tend to convey greater energy and if large, dominance, while horizontal pieces tend to convey a greater sense of serenity and spaciousness. Square shaped pieces can be a wonderful combination of both, but may present some design challenges. Your initial thoughts and subject selection will have significant bearing on the most suitable shape.
Every artist gravitates to color in their own unique way. Most colour combinations will look fabulous with many common wall tones however they may clash with your walls. If you have a strong colour in the room either on the walls or on the furnishings, the artist can often accommodate but may need to see the space in person or have a look through detailed photos.
Your lighting will have significant influence on the art you hang. For example, dark colours and very subtle contrasts may be lost on a wall that is often in shadow. Natural light will always show paintings off well however artificial lighting is necessary after dark and may have an unexpected affect depending on the type of light and where it is located.
If you are providing the photos from which the artist will create, it is best to be aware of copyright issues. If you took the photos, then you own the copyright and can use those photos in any way you want. If you found an image online or in a magazine or brochure for example, then these images can not be used as the reference image. You may show these images to the artist to convey what you love about a scene, but copyright means these images belong to the person who created them and they can not be copied or reproduced in any manner unless the owner of the copyright has explicitly transferred the right to use that image.
When you purchase an artwork, you are purchasing the work but not the right to make copies. Unless you have negotiated a special licensing agreement with the artist, they retain the copyright to the artwork.
Ultimately you have either a very specific want in mind and this must be adequately expressed to the artist, or you love their work and are looking for something more general but of a scene you enjoy or you have a particular space to fill and want a certain size. In some cases, all of these may apply. Regardless of your reasons, the artist will work hard to give you what you want. A happy customer is always the end goal!
