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A Veranda report outlines how to commission a painting when existing artwork does not meet a buyer’s needs for subject, color or size. Artists and gallery professionals say clients should set a budget and share useful direction while allowing room for the artist’s creative process.
Veranda’s report on commissioning paintings explains how buyers can work with artists to create custom artwork when they cannot find a suitable existing piece. Drawing on comments from artists and gallery professionals, it advises clients to agree on practical details such as budget, size and subject while leaving the artist meaningful creative freedom.
A painting commission is a custom work arranged directly with an artist or through a gallery owner or art broker, according to Mollie Creason, owner and chief curator of Well + Wonder Artist Collective. The work may adapt an artist’s previous style or series to a client’s requested colors, subject and dimensions, or give the artist broader freedom to respond to the client’s vision and space.
The report describes commissions ranging from portraits and landscapes tied to a family or place to work inspired by an artist’s existing paintings. Liz Lidgett, founder and owner of Liz Lidgett Gallery, says commissions can suit people who admire an artist’s work but need a particular size, color or subject. The degree of client input varies: some artists welcome detailed requests, while others prefer a looser brief.
Before contacting an artist or intermediary, buyers should be ready to discuss their total budget, preferred dimensions and any desired colors or details. Reference images and fabric samples can help communicate preferences, the report says, though requested elements are not guaranteed. Gallery owners or brokers may also advise on an artist’s availability, pricing, timeline and process.
How Clear Expectations Shape a Commission
A custom painting can address a specific need that available gallery or antique-shop work does not meet, such as fitting a particular wall or incorporating a meaningful subject. The arrangement also gives buyers a chance to work with an artist whose existing work they value. But a commission is a collaboration, not a promise that the finished piece will match a client’s exact mental image.
That distinction matters when buyers set expectations about the result. Specific requests may be considered, not guaranteed, and artists differ in how much direction they accept. Sharing priorities early—while recognizing the artist’s role in making the work—can help both sides establish whether the project is a good fit.
custom portrait painting commission
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From Existing Work to Custom Art
The report frames commissioning as an option for people who have searched for artwork without finding a match, or who have found an artist they admire but need work in a different size or colorway. A commission may begin with an artist’s established series, or with a more personal prompt, such as a family portrait, a favorite landscape or a former family home.
Clients do not always need to find an artist alone. Creason recommends contacting a gallery owner or broker for help identifying artists who take commissions. According to the report, these intermediaries can explain the artists’ processes and communicate practical details before a buyer commits.
“The greatest benefit of commissioning a painting is partnering with an artist you love to create a one-of-a-kind piece that will live in your home forever.”
— Mollie Creason, owner and chief curator of Well + Wonder Artist Collective
Terms Vary From Artist to Artist
The report does not set out standard prices, timelines, contracts or revision policies for commissions. Those details depend on the artist and project, and should be confirmed directly with the artist or gallery before work starts. The source also notes that requested colors or objects may not be guaranteed, and that artists differ in how they share progress updates or present options.
It is therefore unclear from the report what specific payment schedules, cancellation terms or approval stages a buyer should expect. Clients should ask about those points rather than assume that every artist follows the same process.
Questions to Set Before Work Begins
The next step for an interested buyer is to contact an artist, gallery or broker with a clear brief and practical parameters. Ask whether the artist accepts commissions, what the quoted price includes, how long the work may take, whether progress updates are available and how feedback will be handled. Confirm any agreed dimensions, delivery arrangements and payment terms in writing.
After those details are settled, the client and artist can decide how much direction suits the project. A buyer who trusts the artist’s style may offer a few key references or personal details, then allow the artist to develop the composition. The report’s central advice is to choose an artist whose work already resonates and to approach the commission as a partnership.
Key Questions
What does it mean to commission a painting?
It means arranging with an artist, directly or through a gallery or broker, to create a custom painting. The client and artist agree on the project’s general direction and practical details.
What information should I prepare before contacting an artist?
Be ready to share your budget, preferred size and general subject or color preferences. Reference images or fabric samples can help explain what you have in mind, though specific details are not guaranteed.
Can I ask an artist to copy an existing painting?
The report cautions that commissions are not a good fit for someone seeking a carbon copy. A custom work may be inspired by an artist’s earlier work, but the artist’s approach and comfort with direction vary.
How can a gallery or broker help?
A gallery owner or broker may recommend artists who accept commissions and provide information about pricing, availability, timelines and process. They can also help match a client’s needs with an artist’s working style.
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