Four Steps to Commission Abstract Art
For my very first original abstract art commission, I asked my friend to send over 2-3 photographs and a color palette. Armed with only the knowledge of who the painting was for and where it would be hung, I spent hours creating the work. The photos had a Turner-esque, abstract expressionism quality to them that made me want to capture the effervescence of sunlight over water.
I didn’t work with a contract and provided no formal structure for any revisions. Thankfully, my client was super happy with the finished painting - but I would never execute a commission in the same way again.
Why? The best part about working on a commission is telling a visually compelling story. But in order to do that, I need to communicate with the client.
I ask questions like “What colors are you inspired by?” or “Where would you use the illustration?” This helps me better understand what someone is looking for so I can create something more personal--something that is truly wanted.
Without making my time, labor and efforts transparent, I made it difficult for my clients to put a price - and more importantly, value - on my work. I was effectively devaluing my work by cutting them out of the creation process.
Luckily, in the past year, I’ve had time to think about and refine my process. I found the following phases helpful for designing a commission:
Consult
Like in any design project, I spend time reviewing project requests to see if they’re a good fit for my own personal style and tone.
Looking for an illustrator who does family portraits? Probably not me. Looking for a custom illustration with geometric abstraction to print into wallpaper? Much more up my alley!
Concept
I start every project with a creative consultation: where I ask questions and confirm your aesthetic vision. From your answers, I will be able to create a concept brief and a moodboard that is customized to your personal taste and purpose. The brief summarizes the necessary details, such as dimensions, formatting, and any special requests. Once you have approved these, I send over my commission agreement and payment request to confirm the project.
Design
Now, this is where the fun begins. In this part of the process, I draft up preliminary sketches, select a color palette, and begin to create the artwork.
Depending on the project, I’ll send over 1-2 sketches for approval. I am also an iterative designer, so getting feedback is extremely critical - and has always made for a better product. We collaborate to ensure the project meets expectations and there are no surprises with the finished result.
Deliver
Once completed (including payment), I’ll send over the digital files. If the project requires production, I’ll work with the production company to order vinyl panels for murals or wallpaper and schedule a date and time for application.
Check out my previous projects for specific examples and/or fill out my illustration brief if you’re interested in working with me. I’d love to hear from you!