Commissions: How To

How to Commission a Custom Artwork #

What I Offer: Subjects & Style #

I create digital artwork specializing in portraits, fantasy art, and character illustrations. My style is semi-realistic, which means you’ll get a piece that has realistic proportions and detail with an artistic stylization. Look at my artwork and you’ll know what this looks like.

All artwork is delivered as a high-resolution digital file (e.g. PNG), suitable for printing or sharing online. Read below for more on formats and delivery.

I am not offering paper art commission at this time.

Usage #

Commissions are for personal use only – for example, you can hang the art in your living room or share it online for fun. You may NOT reproduce, re-sell, or use the commissioned artwork to make money for yourself.

How the Commission Process Works #

Contact & Idea #

To start, reach out to me (via email or a commission form) with a brief description of what you have in mind. Include the basics of the piece you want – for example, “a semi-realistic portrait of my D&D character” or “a fantasy scene with a warrior and a dragon.”

Discuss & Scope #

I will respond and likely ask a few questions to clarify the scope of the project. This ensures we’re on the same page about what you envision. (See Questions to Define Your Project below.) We’ll discuss details like the subject, style, desired size/resolution, color scheme, background elements, and any deadlines or important dates for the artwork. Based on this discussion, we’ll agree on the scope of work, the timeline, and the price for your commission.

Quote & Agreement #

After understanding the project, I will provide you with a price quote (or price options) and an estimated timeframe for completion. Pricing is primarily based on the level of effort and complexity required – for example, adding extra characters or a detailed background will increase the cost. I’ll also outline the terms (such as payment schedule and revision policy) at this stage. Once you approve the quote and terms, we’re ready to proceed.

Payment Upfront #

I typically ask for a deposit before I begin work. For most projects, a 50% upfront payment is required to secure the commission (for smaller pieces under a certain amount, I may request full payment upfront). This deposit is usually non-refundable and ensures both parties are committed. Payment can be made via PayPal. Once the deposit is received, I will start on your artwork.

Sketch & Feedback #

I’ll begin by creating a rough sketch or composition draft and share it with you for approval. At this stage, you can review the sketch and request changes or adjustments. One round of major revisions is included at the sketch stage – this is the best time to ask for any big changes (pose, composition, etc.) so that the final artwork turns out just right. Minor tweaks (like small details) are usually okay as we move forward.

Work in Progress #

After the sketch is approved, I move on to coloring and detailing. I’ll keep you updated with 1-2 progress images along the way (if you’d like) so you can see how the piece is coming along. This also gives you a chance to confirm we’re still on the right track. I find that setting a couple of checkpoints helps avoid any surprises and keeps you involved in the creation process.

Revisions #

Once I present the near-final artwork, you can request minor revisions or adjustments (such as color changes or small detail edits). I include a certain number of revisions for free – typically one round of minor changes at the final stage. Additional revisions beyond that may incur an extra fee. (Don’t worry, I’ll let you know in advance if a requested change falls outside the agreed scope or free revision count.) This policy is simply to ensure that extensive rework or continuous changes are compensated for, as excessive revisions can significantly add to the time spent on the piece. However, I always strive to get the artwork as close as possible to your vision with the included revisions.

Final Approval & Delivery #

After you’re happy with the final result, I’ll ask for your approval. If there was a remaining balance (the other 50%), the final payment will be due at this point. Once paid, I will deliver the final high-resolution image file to you. Typically, I provide a PNG (or JPEG) at full size and quality. If you have any specific requirements (a certain file format, a specific size for printing), just let me know and I can accommodate. You will receive the file via email or a download link.

Completion #

Now the commission is complete! You can print the artwork or use it digitally as you wish (remember, for personal use). I may ask if I can share the artwork in my portfolio or social media, with credit to you as the client – but I will NOT do so before you’ve received the final work and given permission. Your satisfaction and privacy are important to me.

Questions to Define Your Project #

When you contact me for a commission, I will ask a few key questions to narrow down the scope and understand exactly what you want. Thinking about these in advance can be helpful:

• What subject or character would you like me to illustrate? (e.g. a portrait of you or your original character, a fanart of a favorite character, etc. – include any important details about their appearance, pose, expression, etc.)
• How many figures or characters will be in the image? (Just one person, a couple, a group?)
• Do you have any reference images or inspiration? (These could be photos of a person/character, reference for a pose or outfit, or examples of artwork style you like. Sharing a Pinterest board or sample images helps me “get the vibe” of what you want.)
• What style and mood are you aiming for? (Bright and colorful, dark and moody, whimsical, heroic, etc.? Feel free to describe the atmosphere or theme.)
• Do you want a background or scene? (Solid color or transparent background, simple color wash, or a detailed background environment? Describe any setting if needed – for example, “a forest background” or “just a solid gray backdrop.”)
• What canvas size or resolution do you need? (If you plan to print, let me know the desired print size – e.g. 8″x10″, A4, etc. – so I can work at high enough resolution (300 DPI) for a quality print. If unsure, we can decide based on typical sizes.)
• What is your timeline or deadline? (Do you need this art by a certain date, like a birthday or event? If so, tell me the date. I’ll let you know if it’s feasible and we can schedule accordingly. A rush fee might apply for tight deadlines.)
• Is this artwork for you or a gift for someone else? (This just gives me context – for a gift commission I can keep it secret on social media until a certain date if needed.)
• Any other special requirements or preferences? (For example, specific colors you love or want to avoid, elements you’d like included, text or a name on the image, etc. If there’s anything you absolutely don’t want, let me know that too.)

These questions cover the main aspects of the commission. By gathering this information, I can provide an accurate quote and ensure the artwork meets your expectations.

Pricing & Payment #

Pricing #

I strive to keep my prices fair and based on the level of effort required. Each project is unique, so prices can vary widely. To give you an idea, prices for digital art commissions can range anywhere from about $10 up to $250 or more. The exact price depends on factors like the complexity of the piece, the time it will take, the number of characters, and the detail in the background. I generally calculate quotes by estimating the hours of work and multiplying by an hourly rate. For example, if a portrait takes about 5-6 hours, at $30 per hour, the price might be in the ~$150-$200 range. A more complex full-body character with a detailed background could take 10+ hours, which might be ~$300 or more. These are rough estimates just for transparency. I will always give you a clear flat-rate price up front based on your project so you know exactly what you’ll pay. Here are some visiual examples:

Payment: #

Once we settle on a price, I will send you an invoice or a payment link. I currently accept payments via PayPal. For commissions under $100, I usually request full payment upfront. For larger projects, I ask for a 50% deposit to begin, and the remaining 50% when the artwork is finished (before delivering the final full-resolution image). This split payment protects both of us – it ensures I’m compensated for my time, and you have the assurance that work is being done to your expectations. All prices are in USD (United States Dollars) by default, unless we agree otherwise. If currency conversion or additional transaction fees apply, I’ll let you know in advance.

Invoices & Contracts: #

If you prefer, I can provide a simple contract or written agreement outlining the commission terms (especially for higher-value commissions). This will include the agreed price, what will be delivered, timeline, and usage rights. It’s not meant to intimidate – it’s there to make sure everything is clear and documented for our mutual benefit. Many artists use basic contracts for commissions to protect both sides, but for small commissions an email agreement is usually fine. If you have any questions about terms, just ask!

Revisions Policy #

I want you to love the artwork you receive, so I do include revisions in the process. However, it’s also important to set boundaries so the project doesn’t spiral with unlimited changes. Here’s how revisions work:

• Included Revisions: I include one major revision at the sketch stage (if the initial concept needs changes), and one round of minor revisions at the final stage for free. Minor revisions mean small tweaks like color adjustments, adding small details, or tweaking something that was miscommunicated. Major revisions would be things like completely changing the pose or redrawing significant parts of the image – those should be caught at the sketch stage if possible.
• Additional Revisions: If you request further changes beyond the included rounds, I may charge an extra fee for additional revisions. The fee would depend on how big the change is. (For example, a small tweak might be $10, a larger change would be more.) I will always discuss this with you beforehand. Often, simply mentioning that extra revisions cost extra helps discourage excessive changes– but rest assured, my goal is to get it right in the included rounds! I just have this policy to protect my time in case a project keeps changing scope.
• Mistakes: Of course, if I misunderstood something you clearly asked for and need to fix it, that does not count as a “paid” revision– that’s on me. The revision policy is mainly about new requests or changes that were not originally agreed upon.
• Final Approval: Before finalizing, I’ll make sure you’ve seen the piece and are happy with it. I’ll send a watermarked preview of the finished art for final approval if there’s a remaining payment due. Once you approve and settle any balance, I deliver the final full-quality image. At that point, further changes would likely be new commissions or incur a fee, so we try to address everything before final delivery.

In summary, one or two revisions are usually included, and any more than that might require an extra charge. This approach is standard for commissions and keeps the process smooth for both of us.

Timeline & Turnaround #

Timeline #

The time to complete a commission can vary based on complexity and my current schedule. On average, a single-character digital painting in semi-realistic style might take about 1 to 3 weeks from start to finish. Simpler bust portraits could be done in under a week, while an elaborate scene could take longer than 3 weeks. We will discuss the expected timeframe when planning the commission. If you have a specific deadline (e.g. a birthday or gift date), please let me know at the start. I will confirm if I can meet it, and if so, we might plan a schedule or possibly a rush fee if the turnaround needs to be expedited. I always aim to finish before or by the deadline we agree on. I’ll also communicate with you if there are any unexpected delays on my end (life happens, but I’ll keep you in the loop). Likewise, if I’m waiting on your feedback at a stage, a quick response will help keep the project on schedule.

Delivery: #

Once complete, I deliver the final artwork as a digital file. You will receive:

• A PNG file at full resolution (good for printing). Typically this will be 300 DPI at whatever dimensions we decided (for example, 12"x16" at 300 DPI, or ~ (insert pixel dimensions)). This ensures you can print it with high quality.
• If needed, a JPEG version (sometimes useful for easy sharing on social media).
• If you want the source file (like a Photoshop .PSD file or Procreate file), let me know in advance. In most cases I can provide it, though note that source files are for your personal use only and may not be as tidy as you expect (lots of layers!). Some artists charge extra for source files; for now, I can include it on request for free for personal use commissions.

Delivered files will be via email or a download link (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.). I’ll keep the files backed up on my end for a period of time, so if you ever lose the file, feel free to contact me to resend it.

Terms of Service Highlights #

By commissioning me, you agree to a few standard terms (I keep it simple and fair):

Personal Use License #

As mentioned, the artwork is for personal use. You can print it for yourself or as a gift, use it as an avatar/icon, etc., but you cannot resell it or use it commercially without permission. If you’re interested in commercial rights, discuss it with me – it will involve an additional fee and a separate agreement.

Artist Rights #

I retain the copyright to the artwork as the creator. This means I can use the artwork in my portfolio, social media, or promotional materials, but I will always credit you as the client/character owner and I will not sell the image commercially (unless we negotiated that right). If you want the piece to remain private or not posted online (e.g., it’s a surprise gift), just let me know and I can delay or refrain from sharing it.

Cancellation & Refunds #

If you need to cancel the commission, please let me know as soon as possible. The upfront deposit is typically non-refundable once I’ve started work, because it covers the time already spent. If I have not started at all, I can refund. If for some reason I cannot complete the commission on my end, I will refund you in full. We’ll handle cancellations on a case-by-case basis to be fair to both of us.

Behavior #

I expect respectful communication. I reserve the right to refuse or cancel a commission (with appropriate refund) if a client is rude, excessively difficult, or requests something I’m not comfortable with (e.g. hateful content, NSFW, gore, etc.). Fortunately, that’s rarely an issue! This clause is just here to cover those rare cases.

Ready to Start? – Contact Me! #

Commissioning art should be a fun and collaborative process! If you’ve read the above and would like to proceed, here’s how to get started: Send me a message/email with your commission request. You can use the question list above as a guide for what information to include. The more details you provide, the easier it is for me to understand your vision. If you have a specific budget in mind, you can mention it, but remember that I will price based on the work’s value and effort (I’ll let you know what I can do within your budget or offer alternatives).

Alternatively, fill out the commission request form on my website (link). This form asks for all the details I need and helps keep things organized.

I will get back to you within a couple of days (usually 24-48 hours) to confirm details, ask any follow-up questions, and give you a quote. If everything sounds good, we’ll invoice and get the project underway!

Feel free to reach out with any questions even before committing to a commission. I’m happy to clarify anything about the process or discuss ideas. Thank you for considering me for creating custom art for you. I look forward to bringing your ideas to life!