Commission Process (start to finish!)
When someone has a special connection with a painting I’ve already made, it’s always an amazing moment.
I love hearing how certain colors and movements evoke feelings, many times beyond or in a totally different direction than what I had intended for the work. There’s some invisible thread that transcends the canvas and links itself to the viewer and that is a magical thing to be a part of.
But commissions.
I love working on commissions, because that package of reactions is nurtured from the first few strokes in my sketchbook. The whole process is an endeavor to capture that wispy thread and give it a home on the canvas. We’re building a moment from the ground up, together - and while no project is without a challenge, these are some of the most rewarding paintings I’ve made.
I’ve received a fair number of questions about the process behind creating a commission - so I thought I would share the process behind a recent project (my lovely client has signed off on this, I usually don’t share a lot of commissions due to the personal nature of the work).
Phase One: The Details
When I get an email or message about a possible commission I do a few things right away: First I check my timeline so I can provide an idea of scheduling. For the majority of the year I schedule my commissions in 1-2 month blocks. As most projects do not exceed 4 weeks of painting, having monthly available ‘slots’ allows me to keep track of scheduling and progress. Second, I’ll read through the inspirations listed, ideas discussed or colors mentioned in the message and build a reply referencing what I think we can do within those parameters. It’s important to note that the sketching and idea phase will be referenced in the final piece, but nothing will be 100% exact. My work is about process and movement, less about recreating exactness. Third step is for me to determine an approximate price based off of the information provided. Usually that takes a few more questions on my end, but we wrap up all the nitty gritty details right away so we can move straight into the fun parts.
Sometimes we’ll start by picking a size for the piece - this is informed by the wall size and the furniture already in place.
Phase Two: The Sketches
Once all the details are finalized, I move onto the sketch portion. This usually entails a few rounds of back and forth; some in black and white focusing on JUST movement, some color studies, some mark-making experiments. All of these are designed to narrow in on the things that stir the soul, that resound in the space the painting will live in and will give us an idea of what to carry into the final painting.
Phase Three: The Feedback
Arguably the most important phase. I’ll send images of the sketches, questions on ideas and general thoughts back for your comments and/or direction. If you’d like more warmth, we add more warmth. If there’s a brush stroke you’re loving - this gets noted and carried into the final paintings. During this phase we nail down all the things that draw you into the sketches and make sure they are a part of the cast when it comes to laying out the final work.
Phase Four: The Final
With a *relatively* clear direction in mind - we head into the final painting (or paintings). The time this portion takes depends on the size of the piece and I always send photos/videos of the progress so you can follow along. Once the painting is completed I allow a few days to fully dry, then it is coated or sprayed with a protectant to keep the painting vibrant and safe.*
From here, it is signed, sent for framing if necessary and shipped to it’s new home.
Are you interested in embarking on the journey with me? Fill out this form here and I’ll get back to you with Phase One!
Huge thanks to my lovely customers in Tallahassee for sharing the process behind their now THIRD commissioned project!
*The type of spray or varnish depends on the surface and materials used.
