whalen_commissions

COMMISSIONED PAINTING?

What is a commission? Many visitors to our gallery are unaware of what commissioning a piece of artwork entails. In its basic definition, a commissioned work of art is an assignment given to an artist to complete a painting of a specific subject, on behalf of a client

From the standpoint of the collector or client, a commissioned painting has many benefits and advantages over simply buying “off the wall”. It allows one to purchase a work of art from their favourite artist, specifically designed to suit their needs. The size, subject, mood ( to some degree) and proportion can be adjusted to best fulfill the wishes of the client.

Some artists refuse to take on commissioned work. They suggest that it inhibits their creative process and confines them artistically. I like to view a commission as both a challenge to portray the subject in a manner in which I'm artistically satisfied, and, which fulfils the needs of my client. If I feel that neither of these needs can be met from the completion of the painting I will respectfully decline the offer, and suggest another party be offered the work.

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The idea for a subject to be commissioned usually falls into two categories. Firstly, the customer may have a general fondness for my work, but has not seen a painting of the subject they like, and will approach me about completing a work for them. For example, one couple who frequently visited the gallery always liked paintings of birds, and inquired as to why I never had painted a Great Blue Heron, their favourite species. After a brief conversation, they realized that I would be willing to paint one for them, using a river which they frequented as a background.

Secondly, a client may have a subject in mind that is of importance to their family or organizations history, and wish to have a commemorative painting of it for an anniversary or other special occasion.

"What steps are involved in commissioning a work?"

1. THE INITIAL MEETING
I like to meet with the client and discuss the subject. At this time I will discuss some ideas on how the painting may be approached. After agreeing in general about the portrayal of the subject, and upon my agreeing to take on the commission, a 50% deposit of the agreed upon price is required. This deposit is nonrefundable, for in allocating time to work on the commission I'm foregoing time and effort that could be spent on other projects. What the deposit purchases is a portion of my time to complete the work and the right of first refusal to purchase by the client.

2. FIELD TRIP & RESEARCH
Once all the details of the first meeting have been clarified, (painting size, subject, price, framing, completion date etc. ) I make an excursion to the site of the painting, and/or begin a process of research and study of the subject. It is my intention to gain insight into the subject in order to do justice to the finished painting. The more familiar one is with the subject the better the painting will be!

3. THE WORK BEGINS...
Drawings, sometimes one, sometimes twenty-one are needed to established the angle and composition for the painting. This process is continued until I have one with which I'm pleased. Full colour photos, videos, and sometimes taxidermists mounts are used to fill in any remaining details required.

4. THE PAINTING....
The finished drawing, after approval from the client, is then transferred to a painting support (paper, canvass, or board) and the painting is completed.

5. THE UNVEILING...
After the piece is photographed for record keeping, the client is contacted and the viewing of the finished painting takes place. The balance of the payment is made upon the client approval of the finished work.

6. WHAT ABOUT COPYRIGHT?
On numerous occasions the subject of copyright has come up when dealing with commissions, and in general with the sale of originals. The artist, retains the copyright on any artwork (the right to duplicate, or in any manner reproduce, or transmit) for his/her lifetime plus 50 years, unless explicitly sold or licensed under mutual agreement. This, I understand, is the basic copyright law in Canada.

What this means to anyone who purchases an original work of art is that one cannot in anyway reproduce the artwork, without written permission from the artist. Also, the artist retains the right to have that artwork reproduced as he/she desires.

If you are in a position to commission a work of art, or might consider doing so, I think you will find it to be a rewarding experience. It is a rare occasion that a person, who is not an artist themselves, is able to follow a painting from its birth as a few scratches of a pencil, to see it develop into an image evolved from the mind of an artist

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It is with great satisfaction that I, as an artist, am able to help someone relive a piece of their past and preserve a memory for them in vivid detail, to hang on the family wall for generations to come. No matter how I arrive at working on a commission, I always find it challenging both technically and artistically.