2 Kinds of "Commissions" in Art
Commissions
First Published on the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog: May 1, 2023 by Donna Liguria
Updated: July 3, 2025
Congratulations, someone wants to commission an art piece from you? That is why you are here, right? You need to know what to do and need help?
When we say the word "Commission" it can mean 2 very different things.
1) A gallery, an art group with an art show, or a location where you are showing your art may take a commission (or percentage) of your artwork price when it sells. Or
2)
A potential art buyer asks you to create something specific for
themselves, that is commissioning an artwork from you. - This is the
type of commission we want to address here in this blog post
The original Commissions Blog Post is found here with some great info:
https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/2021/10/post-48-request-for-commission-for-your.html
Here are some of the questions and topics that must be discussed with your potential art buyer.
1. What is the subject of the artwork?
2. What is the size of the artwork and the surface desired?
3. When do they need it?
4. Do they have reference photos?
5. Will you need to do preliminary sketches for approval?
6. Will it be framed?
7. Are there any miscellaneous details to consider?
8. Do they have a preference where the signature will be?
9. And how much will it cost? - And how much deposit should you ask for?
More
recently, we had an Art Commission discussion led by Elena Jochum as
our PWAS Guest Speaker at the July 22, 2024 meeting and the blog post
about that discussion is found here https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/2024/07/post-elena-jochum-discusses-art.html
Previous Pricing help is here:
https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/2022/07/post-fear-of-putting-price-on-your-art.html
https://artistryspin.blogspot.com/2022/02/post-115-pricing-your-artwork.html
Additionally:
Alissa Sexton How Much Should You Charge for Commissions
Gallery Commissions
When an art gallery sends out a Call for Art and if you are fortunate enough to be accepted into that gallery, if your artwork sells, the gallery will take a commission (or fee). Gallery commissions will vary depending on your location, city, size of the gallery and other factors.
Generally, a 30% to 60% fee can be deducted and the artist gets the remainder. As you can see, the artist needs to know how to price their artwork accordingly. As an art group member, I've seen show commissions for as little as 10%, but in the PWC area the typical commission has been about 30%.
Again, note here that the word "Commission" is used two ways in the art world.
- First: A Commission can describe when a potential client asks the artist to create a custom art piece for themselves. The artist sets the fee, the deposit, and payment structure as well as timeframe. A contract and invoice are needed for this transaction.
- Secondly:
A Commission is also the fee designated by a show, art group, gallery,
etc that will be charged to the artist if their artwork sells. The event
coordinator/treasurer will deduct their set percentage of the sale,
then send the artist the remainder of the artwork price.
Warning
Nonetheless with all that said, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A previous blog post we have here is a must read as well.
Art Scammers Are Everywhere and ongoing and ever present. Go into those out of the blue emails and requests cautiously and protect yourself.
Do I Take Commissions? Yes!
I've been honored to have been contacted by some folks that loved my art and asked for certain pieces especially for their personal spaces. Here are some of the pieces that I've created for them.
Occasionally, someone will see a previous painting I have done but need it in an alternative size or orientation. This painting of the Washington Monument is such a painting.
Washington DC Seasons Series
A batch of wooden plaques I painted for Christmas presents with real sand and seashells. Some were of Nags Head, NC,
"Sophie in the Snow"
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Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA and Artistry Spin Blog Admin, specializing in acrylic
painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects.
Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Etsy site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.
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Welcome to my Blog! If you wish to commission artwork, please send me your full name, your email, your phone, what you would like to have painted. What size you would like. I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thankyou for visiting.