How to handle ART COMMISSIONS like a PRO
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- čas přidán 3. 08. 2024
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One of the hardest challenges you face starting out as a pro is handling the business side of a portrait commission- and the artistic side for that matter!
If you want to get your hands on this contract you can download it free on my Patreon page:
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#artlessons #paintingtips #howtodraw
About me:
My work focuses on the human figure. I've given drawing and painting workshops and demos throughout the United States and Europe. I have been making realist drawing and painting tutorials for two years now that I release through my Patreon page. - Jak na to + styl
Man just the line "are you someone that works incredibly slow? (.....) you're going to need to charge a significantly higher amount than someone who ...." took a weight off. I mean I'm still working on bettering myself so that I can get to a stage where I can work a bit faster, but as someone who constantly got told that I wouldn't make it as an artist because I'm too slow and parents always used the professionals working speed as a comparison to my work flow while growing up it's been hard trying to not compare myself in an unhealthy way to someone who's had more years of experience, while still steeling myself to charge people for my work at a price that I think is reasonable. Thank you very much for the video I learned a lot and it was also a nice breath of fresh air to learn a bit more about how to go about doing art commissions.
Honestly it's really dumb how people get mad when they hear how much artists charge for commissions, they don't realize that art is a purchasable luxury, it's no different from the Balenciagas people buy that they dont even wear. Art isn't meant to be a mass produced commodity smh, it's not gonna be priced the same as a 6pack of toilet paper. And it takes a lot of time and a ton of mastery to create a finished product, people really don't appreciate artists but somehow chefs and musicians are glorified even though we're not that different, we're all people who are working on mastering a craft. People take for granted the things they see but they appreciate what they hear and taste more, it's kind of a weird aspect we have...
Well said
Pretty much the same for all forms of crafts and skills producing saleable objects - most people really don't want to pay! - it's your time they seem to object to paying for (not the materials etc) but will happily pay a plumber or electrician more per hour than you are charging.
I think an excellent bit of advice here, which I haven't really heard before, is about people reaching out to "test the waters". It makes sense, it's something that a lot of us would do or have done: reach out and get some info without intending to follow through with a purchase at that time. But as the artist, it can be really disheartening to experience contacts ghosting us.
I like the 20% estimate. It's something that will definitely help to keep in mind.
Great video. Can't think of another I've ever seen addressing the concerns of the Commissioned Artist.
Personally, I do a 1/3 payment structure, with the second third landmark of "halfway complete" to be determined by me. This solves a couple of issues: less upfront money for the client, and some financial respite for me, as portraits can sometimes take longer than planned. It also serves the purpose of getting the client's stamp of approval on the progress of the work, and makes it less likely they'll be displeased with the final work.
Also, my friend in marketing has insisted it's better to refer to the contract as an "agreement", because it sounds less legally threatening, lol.
Stephen, thank you for this video. So, so, helpful. I am glad I stumbled on this video. Your advice is a really great and efficient approach.
Thank you for posting this. It was such valuable information for me as an artist who would like to accept commissions on a regular basis. I just finished a commission for someone and it was not an enjoyable process. The photos I worked from were pretty terrible - iPhone, t-shirt wearing photos of beloved family members that make for terrible portrait work. Plus the client didn't want to pay much and she insisted on a much smaller size than I was comfortable working on - 8 x 10. I actually did everything yhat you said not to do PLUS I let the client steam roll me with requests. I will be referring back to this video until I have this process down pat!
BRILLIANT!!! I just feel so much more prepared after watching your video. Thank you SOOO much for just being you and putting this out there!
This was incredibly useful (and timely) for me. I've fallen a bit into the situation to start doing pet portraiture, and trying to figure out how to enter and navigate "going public" for the first time. I think everything you said translates just as well into pets - maybe even more so on the emotional part. Thanks for this video, and if you (or any other artists) have something to say on pet work, I'd really appreciate it.
Happy to help!
Never have understood the requirement for me to turn a perfectly good photo into a hyper-realistic portrait. It's the photo again! Asked to do it quite often. I never accept.
Exactly!
This is fantastic, a real eye opener but for me it’s getting people to recognise my work and how to reach people. I’m self taught and mastered my craft and I’m still learning but I’m still at a place that I’m talented enough to do commissions so this for me is priceless , thankyou.
You put some words so wonderfully, I do portrait comission too & sometimes it's very hard to deal with such stuff. Thanks again for your precious thoughts. 🌸🙂🙏🏽
You are so welcome!
Saludos desde Honduras maestro admirado por ese punto de calidad en el pulido del dibujo una técnica que noto que es bien fino Wowww!
Very good take Stephen, I normally take the photos, lots of them then they review and pick top 3. I was lucky to have clients who like and agree to any draft I present.
Thank you for sharing with us.
Very helpful, thank you.
I love this.. thank you for sharing your professional knowledge ❤️❤️❤️
Great practical advice!
Fabulous video. Hugely helpful insights!!!!!!!!
Great advice! Many thanks Stephen 😃
Mad skills,thankyou for your generosity
15:00 this is very important point!
Doing Coverart Commissions for 3 Years now in the Genres of Black Metal and Dungeon synth aside of my Book Illustrations.
Had the luck to mostly get wonderful Customers.
But the Pricing is something i feel that i learn with every commission still something new.A Base Price for yourself based on a standart artwork you do can always help i think.
But i see with this vid that theres still room to learn.Good Video,thanks !
Thank you for the template for managing commissions especially for those of us yet to acquire a commission it’s helpful knowing what to expect and what ingredients we add as an artist that go into valuing a price
I agree and want my friends to see this! So many artists do not understand there are so many small aspects. Personality, or as you put it respect, makes such a difference. And knowing or having your pricing in your head before you begin make things go smoother. Great video
Wow amazing Sir
Probably the best Commission Information video I've found so far(watched a few now). Though I paint much smaller things, also not doing portraits; The information applies to any artist.
Big thank you, I now have a bunch of things I didn't know I even needed to think about :D
Very helpful.
Great vid thanks
Thanks for producing such great advices!
No worries!
Thanks! So helpful. i already do some of those things with clients but this video helps me to finely tune things.
Great to hear!
12:29 This! Thank you for the tip re how to understand what a client wants changed on the commissioned art. I have found clients often don’t really know what they want, or have a hard time describing it - until you actually draw it, and redraw it, and redraw it, ad infinitum 😅 Coaxing it from them can be really time consuming.. So, “listen intently, be patient, keep communication lines open.” Got it ❤
wow those landscapes look amazing!
Thanks ;)
I'm aiming to become a portrait artist so this video was very useful👍
One of the best Art Channel, so much learning 🙌🏻👌🏻
Thank you so much 😀
Bravo!❤
Fantastic video, thanks so much. And you didn't bug me to like and subscribe!
Awesome, thank you!
This is one of my favorite places on the internet. Thank you for this amzaing lesson!
You're very welcome!
That cecesiry so much work. And I love it so much your art❤️
Thank you so much!
Thank you.
Thank you for the advice. I'm no professional, but I have a few people who saw my work and want portraits of their animals done. The hardest thing for me is to come up with a price and especially to tell them. Just can't do it.
This video is perfect timing!. I bought a couple of antique paintings from an older couple who have a collection. I mentioned that I do portrait drawings even though I'm not comfortable enough to do so even though i know i can do it (low confidence). They said they will reach out to me about doing a portrait commission later in the week. thank you so much for this video❤
Glad it was helpful!
Really nice one (edit: those landscapes are beautiful, )
Thank you very much!
Thank you
4:17 I love this painting. I’ve seen it in real life twice at the gothenburg museum of art and its wonderful. I’m not one to feel patriotic but the scene brings to mind memories kindof like this one, that feel utterly and completely swedish to me.
Man this is a really great insightful video! I'm not a pro yet but my mind does wander about all the things to consider when jumping into this part of the field and boy oh boy does the anxiety hit hard. Really great advice especially about the protections in the contract for the artist. Thanks Stephen!
Always happy to help- business wisdom can be so helpful for artists.
@@stephenbaumanartwork I find it really difficult to put a value on my work. Does that come with confidence or is there a sort of guide formula like resturants where they price the cost of one dish and multiply it by 4? I wish i just had to worry about honing my art skills lol.
thank you!
You're welcome!
Amazing drawing
Thank you! Cheers!
valuable tips
Many many thanks
Your videos are all so helpful but THIS! Thank you sooooo much! I wish you could mentor me 😊
You are so welcome!
28 people are shitty clients with those thumbs down. I think this is a terrific video. thanks for doing this.
I literally commented on a video about this topic less than a week ago. Dont know if this was a response but thank you for this video!
You're so welcome!
Thanks
Welcome!
You are virtuos of art..you are in the clan of the master...thank you...Cielito. Artist of fine Art...have a happy life..
Thank you! Cheers!
Great advice thank you so much! Can you make a video on what makes a good reference photo???
Great suggestion!
I loved this video!! Would I be able to use the contract/agreement sheet shown in your video as a basis for my own?
Cool Video
Would you believe it? I was waiting forever to get a commisioned artwork and when it came from a friend, i gleefully accepted it but alas, i couldn't even get started because I wasn't stimulated by the artwork requested by the client. The deadline came and went. I asked for an extension. I still couldn't get started and finally I had to back out so that cleint can look for other options. I offered to pay her for the damage but she was really upset. Friendship ruined. Hopefully she will understand it in the future.
Sorry that you had to deal with this, major bummer.
Can’t wait to see a silver button on ur wall, sir i hope you reach 100k soon
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Always giving the right advise! this video was super helpful! also... didn't know you secretly paint landscapes. xD
P.S- How do you keep your glasses so clean!!!
ALWAYS clean the shades before recording ;)
Thank you. You are always brilliant and giving. Can we get a copy of this customer paper?
For sure. If you click the link in the description it will take you to a page where you can download it for free.
Clients suck at describing and communicating typically. And some keep changing their minds too. The clients are the hardest part, not the drawings.
I’ve been getting asked a lot for commissions lately, I started drawing more and people keep asking me to draw for them.
Thanks! Another fantastic video with such relevant content and wise advice. I recently replied to a request for a commission work. They offered to pay right away, but then couldn’t use any of the normal payment apps available today in the US. As soon as they said they didn’t have the ability to use any of them since they had an offshore account I knew it was probably a deception. They started talking about E checks and sending my full name and my bank, I have given up hope that it was a real commission.
Here’s the kicker they sent me examples of the portraits they wanted done, and they were so intriguing that I drew one of them anyway. Have you ever had that happen to you? 😔
Had plenty of fraudulent cold texts and email asking about commissions and art buying. Always better safe than sorry.
This was a great video. Its in my favs for future reference. Some other questions I have are; do I need a business license? What are some trusted payment options everyone uses? ❤
Bank to bank transfer is my preference- registering yourself as a business is useful for tax purposes.
@@stephenbaumanartwork Thank you! Im very grateful for your transparency in this video! Its been helpful and highlighted things I need answering before this small business venture!
👏👏👏👏❤️
Is there a base hourly rate?
Hello Mr. Bauman, I am planning on applying to the Grand Central Atelier to further my technical ability. Do you have any thoughts on this atelier or ateliers in general?
Thats a good one. Probably what I would choose if I were studying today. Check out Lyme Academy as well.
@@stephenbaumanartwork Thank you for your suggestions. I recently checked out the Lyme academy, on your recommendation, online alongside GCA. At least in my opinion the work of the faculty from both ateliers seems excellent. Lyme is slightly cheaper, but I’m not entirely sure which one would be a better place to attend from a curriculum/ skills gained standpoint. In your opinion why would you choose GCA over Lyme or vice versa. I understand that GCA is in the heart of the arts world being in NYC and all, so that does seem to be an advantage. Again, I’m still on the fence between the two schools. I just want to paint and draw like the Masters.
Anyway, thank you for your suggestions.
👏👏👏👏👏👏
Stephen, can you please tell us some horror stories with clients? Thanks 😁👍
Fortunately I haven't had any that are that bad. The worst is usually wanting endless revisions.
@@stephenbaumanartwork thanks, some time ago I read that as a portrait painter, if you want to please a female sitter, paint her jewelry larger and her wrinkles smaller 😁👍
What are the materials you used on that portrait charcoal/graphite drawing
graphite + charcoal.
I've done a good many commissions but 100% is extremely hard, if not impossible, to achieve. I'm battling now with a client who doesn't like my (98% correct) artwork in pastel, drawn it 3x about 100 hours, and she paid me in full upfront. For R900 (South Africa - about USD50). I don't want to do it a 4th time but don't want to pay half back. Do I just tell her that art is not meant to be a photograph?
If you don't mind, could you share a little about how you collect your deposits and fees? Venmo/Paypal, physical check, some other method? I'm curious what does and doesn't work successfully for other artists to collect payments.
I always rely on bank to bank transfer. In the case of crossing borders I think that Wise.com is a good option.
Tell me about copy right in Usa...
How do you say no to a commission without offending the client?
How, I can get best reference images?
For commissions? You can't get what you don't ask for. Otherwise I have tons on my Patreon.
I don't understand what the contract is for if it ain't a legal document
It is a tool of communication. It lets each party knows where they stand, unequivocally. In this was it helps to deter misunderstandings and clarify expectations.
That "Right of Refusal" part should definitely NOT be in your contract if you take only 50% upfront. That would jeopardize half of your income and basically give your client full control over whether you worked half your time completely for free or not. Just "not liking" the result is no valid point, it's still a service that took full time and expertise.
I disagree. Contracts are also about trust. As I said in the video- if you communicate well throughout the process you will never come to a point where you reveal a finished work that your client doesn’t like.
Do not under any circumstances deliver/ship artwork to collector unless they pay you in full. Doing so is unwise. Always ship after final payment is made and make it clear on the contract.
I would argue that if communicate well enough with your client throughout the process this will not be a concern. Remember- they also paid a deposit to you before you started work. Trust = 2 way street.
Got instagram comissions that were scams
great way to advertise commissions haha
so professional
To be fair, I rarely take commissions these days. Once upon a time though I was very happy to get them.
@@stephenbaumanartwork 2busyteaching
My friends had their beach house painted by a local artist and it was… bad. Went to the artist website and it was amateur at best. Know your ability level before you start selling stuff.
The video was ok, until I saw you allow in your contract people not to pay you if they don't like your final commission. I advise you to go see a lawyer and ask him to make you a contract. You're shooting your own feet with that.
Respectfully, I don't see it that way. The whole process is designed so that we never get to that point. All the communication and drafts ensure this. That clause is really more to make the client feel comfortable, like they have an equal say in where the piece finally lands. To this day- I've never had anyone exercise that option.
Made me remember a small oil sketch/portrait I did for a women of her deceased husband. It was a simple profile view, 12X16 on canvas board. I finished it and handed it off to her and forgot about it. However, a couple of weeks later, she was back with it saying something was "a little wrong with the nose." (See, Sargent was wrong . . . he said it was something a little wrong with the mouth.) She and I stood together most of an afternoon "fixing" the painting. Let me interject, here, that when you've painted for years, it's easy to see where you make changes and how your changes affect the painting. Finally, hours of work later, she said loudly, "There," meaning you're finally made the changes I was talking about. Funnier, however, was the fact that I could see that after all that sweat and work, the painting was back where it was when we started. Yikes!!!