I know that when you have the idea for a commission it can often feel a bit daunting, so here are my top 5 tips to make sure it’s a success:
Choose an artist whose work you consistently like. The subject can change but their style will shine through whatever they are painting so it’s important that you enjoy the way they depict their subjects.
The better the photo is the better the painting will be. In an ideal world the artist will offer to take their own photos and/or sketches as this will allow them to use their expertise and eye to control pose and composition, but if that’s not possible and you are supplying the photo ensure that the it’s sufficiently detailed that you can see individual hairs and light in the eye/eyes of any figures or animals.
Think about size and impact. Do you want it to draw people’s eye and spark conversation or will it be more personal? People love talking about art so think about where it will hang and the impact of size.
Easter eggs - one of my favourite things about commissions is that you can choose to include tiny details that are not obvious at first glance but when seen, or more often than not pointed out, can spark everything from laughter to tears. I’ve hidden pairs of glasses under cushions, a corgi looking out of an upstairs window and flowers from a first date.
Share the story - tell the artist why the subject is meaningful to you and what are the things that you will be thinking about when you see the painting on your wall every day. This will help the artist to ensure these elements really come through. An emotional connection with the painting often lifts a commission from a depiction to something that has a life of its own.