Kimberley Bevan

how to Commission original art:

Commissioning an artwork can be an exciting and unique experience. However, it can also be nerve-racking.
Understanding what to expect from the artist and your role within the collaboration helps build an experience and original artwork you will cherish forever. 
To help you on your journey, I have outlined the stages below, answering questions and explaining the process. 
If, however I you have any questions, please feel free to email me, I am always happy to help.
1. Swan Limited Edition Tote Bag £15 (includes delivery in England)2. Swan Limited Edition Tote Bag £15 (includes delivery in England)

the seven stages of a commission:

    1.  The customer sends an email asking about discussing a commission.

  • 2. A meeting is agreed (either in person, online or via telephone). Where the commission is discussed (outlining the size, price and mediums, themes, plus any special requirements).

  • 3. An Artist Agreement is created. This Agreement outlines everything discussed/agreed upon for the commission (price, size, theme, time frame) and ensures both parties know what they are agreeing to. A deposit may be requested.

  • 4. The customer and artist sign the agreement outlining the commission details. The customer sends high-quality reference photographs if required and may also provide examples of visual inspiration for the commission.

  • 5. Sometimes customers can request preliminary drawings to decide from (this is outlined in the Agreement). If so, the customer chooses one and provides any additional feedback if required. Colour schemes can also be requested and sent for confirmation.

  • 6. Once all information is received, the artwork is completed and sent to the customer, who pays the outstanding balance.
    There are size and location restrictions on delivery beyond the local area (artwork over 1 meter and outside Norfolk, UK) is not included in the commission price and would need to be agreed upon within the Artist Agreement.

  • 7. Results may be posted on social media. 

questions and answers on commissions:

  • How much does a commission cost? Over the years, I have worked across budgets large and small. I am open to all manner of projects. For pricing a commission, I use the media and the scale of the work requested. A high level of detail also requires more work and will push up the price. I generally advise customers to look at my current prices and use them to guide their media decision and scale. For example, a pencil drawing will be cheaper than an oil on canvas. I have completed simple, small pencil sketches from £75, while simple, small oil on canvas paintings begin from £150.00. Portraits are also more complex and can require a decent amount of time to complete, increasing the cost. I have some customers who pay thousands of pounds for large, detailed oil paintings.

  • How much time will it take? This depends upon what you wish to commission; oil paintings take far longer than a soft pastel drawing. It can take a few months for an Oil painting, as wet layers have to dry when building up detail (this is worse in winter, as UV light speeds up the drying in summer). Dry mediums like pencil, pastels are much faster and can be completed within a few weeks, depending upon my time availability. High-level detail and generally portraits are more difficult and will require more time to complete.  

  • What size do you work in? I am flexible. I have worked on anything from small 6 x 4-inch canvases to large 2-meter square canvases (please consider the delivery cost impact). I have also completed murals for both private and public spaces. If in doubt, please contact me as I am always happy to talk to clients and see what they want and how it will fit into their lifestyles/homes.

  • Can I ask for certain themes (Portraits, Landscape, animals, etc) and media (pencil, acrylic, oil paint, etc)?
    Yes, I work across multiple themes and media, and I am always happy to do something new, and I love a challenge.

  • Do you deliver the artwork? I like to personally deliver artwork, if and when possible. It is important to me that clients are happy and love their commissions. However, this is not always possible with far-reaching locations and large paintings, which means work can be (insured) couriered to customers. Where a date, time and location are agreed.

  • Does the artwork come with a certificate of Authenticity? Yes, with every original painting, customers received a signed, unique palette print. This is a print of the wet palette used to generate the artwork, which is dated and signed by me to ensure authenticity. For dry media, a certificate is included with a colour/tonal scheme tester.

  • Do I have to pay a deposit? Yes, I take a 10 per cent deposit upon receipt of a signed  Artists Agreement. This is for materials and initial time investment.

  • What if I do not like it? I want my customers to be happy; to ensure this, I keep all commission customers regularly updated with images via email. This way, customer can see what is going on and how their work is progressing. If for any reason they are not completely happy, I will keep the commissioned artwork and provide a refund of any payments. 
EMAIL KIMberley