How to Commission an Artist’s Portrait

There are many reasons to commission an artist’s portrait. It captures a personality in a different way than a photograph. A portrait can also provide a marker for a period in a person’s life; for instance, many parents commission portraits of their kids to capture that special time of childhood. In addition, a portrait is valuable in its own right as an artist’s original work.

Yet, people often feel intimidated about the prospect of commissioning a portrait. There are a variety of reasons for this. Some feel self-conscious about posing for a portrait. Or, there may be the assumption that commissioning a portrait is prohibitively expensive. Some are just not sure how to go about commissioning a portrait.

This article will guide you through the process of commissioning a portrait. Although each portrait is unique, there are some general rules and conventions that should help you to commission a portrait which meets your needs and is within your price range.

The first step in commissioning a portrait is two-fold: define your requirements and locate an artist. Give some thought to the style, size, format and price range of the portrait you would like to commission. If you are unsure of these aspects, it may help to work on locating an artist first. Once you find an artist’s whose work you like, you can assess whether the style, format, size and price range matches your requirements.

Locating an artist can be easier than you might think. Visit local art galleries to see artists’ work. Artists who specialize in portraits are likely to be able to fulfil your project. However, many artists take on a variety of commissions, so don’t discount an artist simply because he or she seems to focus on landscapes. If you like the style, it is worth enquiring to see if the artist would produce a portrait. You can also find artists at art fairs and even in online art galleries.

The next step is to contact the artist. Find out if the artist provides portrait commissions. Also, check whether the format, size, price range and other factors meet your needs. It can also be beneficial to view more of the artist’s work or to speak to other portrait clients.

When you are satisfied that you have found the right artist for your portrait commission, it is time to proceed. A contract is helpful in ironing out how long the portrait will take, the percentage of deposit and what happens if you don’t like the portrait or it takes longer than expected. Also, find out how many sittings will be required. Some artists prefer to work solely from life while others use photographs.

Remember that a portrait is a business undertaking just like any other commission. Communicating well, asking questions and doing your research will help to ensure that you are thrilled with the end product.