How to Commission Art in 2025: A Guide by Industry-Leading Art Advisors
- david
- Jan 6
- 13 min read
When looking to commission art, the process can seem complicated or confusing. Where is the best place to commission art, and how to find an artist? Is it possible to commission art online? What are typical painting commission prices?
Sharing our industry experience in commissioning art, Artelier's art advisors provide valuable insights and tips on how to commission artwork and paintings, while also addressing frequently asked questions.
Learn the terms before approaching an artist. What does it mean to commission an artwork?
" An artwork commission is when a client or art advisor approaches an artist to make a custom artwork specially for them, rather than buying an artwork that the artist had already created. When you commission a piece of art, you collaborate with the artist to develop ideas for the artwork – you may have a vision in mind, a purpose for commissioning art, or an intended place for the art commission, and you communicate this to the artist. The artist then creates custom art based on your preferences. "
Océane Pouélé, Curator, Researcher & Editor at Artelier
How to Commission Art Properly: 13 Expert Tips from Industry-Leading Advisors
These steps are essential for artist commissions, be that to commission a painting, sculpture. mural, or installation:
Refine your Vision
Evaluate what you want from your art commission and find references
So that the artist understands your expectations, take time to contemplate your aesthetic ideas. Are you inspired by a particular style, or wanting to convey a certain theme? Are you looking for an artist working with a specific material or technique? Do you have something specific in mind, or are you happy for the artist to have the freedom to creatively explore your proposed idea? Take into account logistics, timelines and budget as well as location and scale. Identify special requirements, such as durability against weather or resistance to damage in an area of high footfall.
An art advisor can help you expand on these ideas and offer new options, with an insight into the market and an eye for how to create inspiring spaces.
Research the Market
Take some time to research the market, not only to broaden your knowledge of exciting artistic practices, but also to get a feel for what makes a good artist.
Artelier has created a set of 12 wide-ranging considerations, which we use to assess an artist's suitability for a project:
Undiscovered Talent
Emerging Career
Originality
Quality of Ideas
Mastery of Materials
Skill & Ability
Integrity & Commitment
Training & Experience
Longevity
Innovation
Versatility
Artistic Focus
An art advisor can determine an artist's suitability thanks to their in-house knowledge on the art market and hands-on experience with creative industries. Hiring an art advisor also prevents costly investments in the wrong artist.
Identify a Suitable Artist
Ensure they are available, experienced and capable of meeting your needs for the art commission
While it is fun to research and discover talented artists, it is also essential to establish if they are a suitable match. For example, even if the artist is skilled, they may not be able to fulfil a commission. They may not be comfortable working to your desired scale or volume due to lack of specific experience, limited facilities or time availability. It’s also important to be realistic when approaching artists; some emerging artists may not feel confident in accepting the commission, and equally an established artist may not be interested in creating work that fits the project brief. Don't forget budget too; if you have a smaller budget, consider collaborating with an early career-artist who displays great potential, as the cost of their work tends to be lower.
Artelier has a database of over 20,000 artists, filtered by criteria such as availability, material, costs and career status. Or alternatively. check out our article here for some inspiration on fine artists to invest in.
Get to Know the Artist and their Work
Look at the evolution of their work and what art they are creating now, and assess if you can have a good working relationship
Once you begin working with an artist, take the time to understand their career, materials and practice. If you recognise how their work has evolved, you are in a better position to understand the themes and trajectory of their interests, and discuss how their current practice can be relevant to your project. Working with an artist, rather than a manufacturer, relies upon forming a personal connection with the maker of your artwork. It is fundamentally important to assess whether you can work with the person themselves, and not just whether their art is suitable. For a successful commissioning process, you will have to be able to understand each other and have a good line of communication. Take time to visit the artist in their studio to assess their studio capacity, whilst getting as closer sense of how the artist works and how professional they are – after all, this will be a business contract with potentially quite a lot at stake.
Artelier offers a curated, personalised selection of artists based on your criteria. Whether you support an artist locally or internationally, a qualified Artelier curator can visit their studio on your behalf to save you time and travel costs.
Prepare your Request
Get firsthand insights from our in-house advisory team on how to create a written request for commissioning artwork.
Visuals & Samples
When it comes to visuals, you'll need to think about materials, style, size, and the surface (like canvas or paper). Also, consider the location, deadline, budget, and whether you need reference images or will be framing the piece. Sometimes, sampling may be required. For revisions or changes, make sure to clarify how many revisions are allowed, the cost of any extra changes, and how much time you'll have for them.
Alice Voss, Project Director & Curator
Digital
" If you're not familiar with printing formats, consult with your artist. But generally, artworks sized 300 x 300 mm should have 300 dpi for printing. Above, we would recommend at least 600 dpi. Sometimes, you can go even higher; some artists have sent 1200 dpi files when asked. I also recommend JPEG, PNG in CMYK mode for printing. "
Marie Boutignon, Senior Curator, Design & Styling
Shipping
When shipping artwork, there are a few key things to keep in mind: whether it's local or international, insurance, packing materials, weight, and dimensions. You’ll also need to consider the artwork’s value, commodity codes (which are region-specific), and commercial invoices. It's important to note the difference between net weight (just the artwork) and gross weight (including packing materials). Also, make sure to specify the quantity of pieces, country of origin, and VAT number if the artist is a registered business. Finally, decide who will cover duty taxes — usually, the receiver pays unless it's agreed otherwise (DDP or DAP).
Talia Hacker, Project Manager & Curator
Artelier provides comprehensive administrative support to ensure all necessary documentation for artwork commissions is properly arranged. This includes drafting letters of intent, generating invoices, preparing goods declarations, and creating contracts.
Develop Ideas
Artists can build on your ideas, and understand their materials better than the client
Before the artist starts creating the artwork, artist and client should collaboratively develop ideas beyond the initial brief. Listen to the artist's insights and suggestions, as they have an intimate knowledge of the possibilities of their material, as well as being accustomed to developing intelligent concepts for artworks. In turn, be sure to openly put forward the ideas that you want to be explored, and express them clearly. Regardless of whether you have a preconceived idea of what you’re after or if you’re happy for the artist to interpret an open brief, it’s essential to allow the artist creative freedom as they develop the artwork. As they are not a manufacturer, there will always be nuances and subtleties to what they produce which will slightly differ from the initial sketches or their previous artworks. Remember that this is in fact the benefit of collaborating with an artist, as they can evolve the piece and make something unique to you.
Whether commissioning an artist for your home or a larger project, Artelier handles communication from start to finish. Our team of qualified art advisors act as intermediaries to negotiate and develop artistic ideas on your behalf.
Set your Parameters
Establish the specifications for your art commission, such as scale, finishes, colours, composition, materials, time-frames and budgets
Once the concept is decided upon, establish the specifications for the artwork together with the artist. This includes deciding which materials will be used, what kind of finish will be achieved, and the colour palette. You can also discuss the final composition for the artwork, using sketches to articulate ideas. Know your expectations, and respect the limitations of both the artist and their materials. At this stage, discuss the timelines for the project, setting milestones for when you would like to see reports on progress and receive samples. When setting the final deadline, take into consideration time for delivery and installation, as well as leaving room for any unexpected delays.
If an artist is not familiar with specifications and milestones for a unique commission, Artelier can provide them with industry advice, personalised resources and tracking documentation in order to do so.
Create a Contract
Establishing trust, professionalism, and a mutually beneficial relationship between the artist and commissioner
Purchasing artwork is essentially buying a product. In legal terms - similar to consumer and vendor agreements - a contract is crucial for establishing trust, professionalism, and a mutually beneficial relationship between the commissioner and the artist. Below is an infographic outlining the key elements to include in an artwork commissioning contract:
If contract writing is alien to you, Artelier’s advisory team has legal expertise to handle it on your behalf. For larger-scale projects, such as public art commissions, Artelier also provides comprehensive administrative support, managing communication and coordination with multiple stakeholders to ensure a smooth process.
Book and Pay a Deposit
Ensuring client commitment, financial security for the artist, and protection against cancellations or unexpected changes
A deposit not only demonstrates the client's commitment but also provides financial security for the artist. It serves as a safeguard against cancellations or modifications to the commission's scope. The deposit amount may vary depending on the artist's agreement and the overall cost of the artwork, with a typical deposit ranging from 30% to 50%.
To ensure a seamless payment process, Artelier can serve as an intermediary, managing and overseeing payment transfers to guarantee that funds are securely received in the appropriate region.
Request Samples
Ask the artist to provide you with samples of the finishes and colours to track progress
Having the artist develop samples is a great way for you to review the ideas in practice, especially if the artist has not made anything similar before. Discuss what would be useful for the artist to develop – these could include compositional studies, sketches, maquettes, colour swatches, and smaller scale samples of the material and finish. Colour studies and samples of materials are especially important, as their true qualities cannot be expressed on screens or through photographs. Samples are an essential part of the commissioning process for both the client and the artist. The client can be assured of quality control, and given the opportunity to make more informed choices between different options. Meanwhile, the artist can feel confident before they develop the main artwork that they are creating something that meets your expectations. If there is no opportunity for the client to visit the artist’s studio and experience the artwork as it evolves, samples become the only way to get a true idea of how the final artwork will look.
Artelier's art handlers expertly manage sample handling, conducting thorough physical and quality assessments in-house. We provide direct feedback to artists, ensuring flawless execution and satisfaction for creators and customers involved in the visionary process.
Check in Regularly with the Artist
There is no need to oversee every aspect of commissioning art, as the artist’s space should be respected, but decide upon when they will give you updates
As the commission gets under way, give the artist adequate space. While management is important, respect that artists need time and space to make the work – if they feel like they are being over-managed, their creativity may feel stifled. Be in tune with how the piece is developing, but appreciate the artist’s way of working. It is also important to maintain your close working relationship with the artist and for you to take time to visit the studio at regular intervals. A successful way of managing the project is to establish milestones of when you will communicate. You will be assured through getting these updates, in whichever forms had been previously agreed – updates could come in the form of samples, photo documentation, or calls to fill in on progress. Artists often appreciate encouragement and support, which also makes them feel more comfortable to reach out should any new questions or concerns arise. Remember that many subtleties, effects and nuances in artworks cannot be captured by photography, so be sure to view the work in person in the studio before it is delivered.
Giving critical feedback is delicate, especially with nuanced commissions. Drawing on industry expertise in the art world, Artelier has refined communication methods to ensure artists feel respected and supported to meet deliverables.
Shipping & Installation
Communicate with the artist on options for shipping, and how the artwork should be handled, and find suitable art specialists to fulfil this
The highest level of care in shipping and installation is paramount, and often underestimated. By far the greatest risk of damage to the artwork comes in unpacking, handling and installing the artwork, and fixing any damage can be exceedingly expensive. To avoid this, communicate closely with the artist; they are likely in the best position to safely pack the artwork, so can advise on unpacking and any particular areas of fragility. Be honest about whether the people who have been assigned to handle the artwork can do so risk-free. It is advisable to hire an experienced art handler to unpack and install the artwork, as they have specialist training in how to ensure damage is limited. In addition, establish a thorough audit trail, so that it is clear who is responsible in case of damages. Ensure you have specific art insurance in place with a trusted company that will have you covered not matter what happens. The insurance cover should not only cover the replacement value of the artwork, but also the return shipping and any other associated costs you may incur. Shipping art internationally also demands preparations for the artwork to travel through customs and multiple shipments, so appropriate packing is especially crucial. Customs officials are also entitled to open the package, and may unwittingly damage the artwork or its packaging in the process. Be sure that the insurance for the artwork covers all eventualities.
Specialising in art packing, insurance, shipping, and import/export documentation, we expertly manage the secure and timely delivery of goods to both local and international destinations as part of our comprehensive art services.
Curation & Presentation
Curate the artwork commission in situ, considering view points and lighting, as well as practical maintenance
Consider how the artwork can be curated within the space to maximise its effect. Examine different viewpoints, and how it is placed – wall art, for instance, should be at an optimal height, and not competing with too many other artworks on the same wall. Lighting is another make-or-break factor; no matter how well-executed the artwork, if it is not lit properly it can lack lustre and impact. Think about how existing light sources could bring the artwork to life, and consider potentially installing new lights to specially enhance the artwork. Key elements of the presentation also include frames or plinths. It’s essential that the frame or plinth is elegant and subtle, in keeping with both the piece itself and the design of the room. Specialist fixings may also need to be designed, in order to display the artwork safely and securely, without detracting from the artwork. Presenting artworks is a specialist practice, and often the artist is not in the best position to advise on the most effective and visually pleasing presentation solutions. A professional third-party can offer helpful input: an art technician or framer can give focused guidance on how to select or develop the presentation, in order to make the most out of the artwork.
Artelier collaborates with project teams and contractors to facilitate a flawless installation process for artworks. With an in-house team qualified in interior design, we can confidently oversee the handling, placement, and arrangement of final artwork.
What are typical art commission prices?
The average artwork commission price will be between £100 - £10,000. The costs will depend on the following from the artist:
Experience (e.g., years in the industry, apprenticeships, art qualifications)
Career stage (e.g., emerging artist vs. established or blue-chip artist)
Technique (e.g., rarity, exclusivity, or execution quality)
Materials used
Size
Time required to complete the artwork
Sales history (e.g., if the artist has sold little or lots of artworks, their past auction performance as unsold works can affect an artist's reputation and value)
Here is a case study of one artist explaining the breakdown of costs:
Beginner artists typically charge between $50 and $200 for smaller pieces, while more experienced artists may charge anywhere from $500 to $2,000 or more. It depends if the artist works by hourly rate. Costs may be added if there are revisions or changes to the artwork that weren't agreed prior to starting. If there is a significant error on my part, I will choose to restart the painting at no extra cost. However, if the client changes their mind and requests alterations, this would be treated as a new project and billed separately. Materials are a key factor, when you consider studio space, paints, solutions, materials, tools, pigments based on availability and rarity.
Working with an experienced art advisor helps prevent clients and artists from underestimating commission costs, such as extra time and material investments, shipping, transportation or framing.
© Laurine Malengreau
How does an art advisor help in commissioning art?
While commissioning art may seem clear and straightforward, some artists are more experienced than others when receiving commissions from a client. Collaborating with an art advisor who is experienced in commissioning will not only help you discover under-the-radar artists, but make the commission seamless and easy by managing every aspect of the process.
Services provided by Artelier include, but are not limited to:
Expert guidance on artwork placement, curation, and stylistic alignment
Curated artist sourcing tailored to client vision and project requirements
Direct liaison with artists, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration
Comprehensive project management throughout the art commissioning process
End-to-end handling of shipments, installation, and logistics
Deep industry expertise and market insight
Access to an exclusive internal database of over 20,000 distinguished artists
Rigorous quality assurance to guarantee both aesthetic value and investment potential
Facilitating the client-artist relationship with a personalised approach, ensuring mutual understanding and a smooth creative process
Accurate forecasting and oversight of project costs and timelines
Full insurance coverage for shipping, fine art handling, and expert installation services
Meet the Writers
Ella Forster, Curator, Researcher and Editor
Ella holds a BA in History & French from King's College London, complemented by a year of international study focused on History of Art at the University of Montréal. Fluent in English and French, Ella has immediate experience consulting clients on art commissioning collection management, including advising on market trends, cataloguing and optimising storage methods.
Alina Young , Senior Art Curator
A practiced curator, Alina specialises in public art commissions and exhibitions. With a MA in History of Design from Oxford University, Alina is a trained researcher dedicated to craft practices. Her experience includes curating for galleries, art sales, and consulting for exhibitions and public art projects.
Interesting read, thanks for sharing.