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Art is sheer expression through exclusive and appealing drawings and paints.It’s a mixture of feelings, stories and reality portrayed in a picture.Art is a natural gift that beautifies the world through talented artists.A versatile gift that also helps generate income for many artists globally. Most artists venturing in the business rely on commissions as an income source. However, handling art commissions is quite challenging since there is no standard price for the artwork.
Artists need to balance professionalism and client satisfaction to maneuver easily in the business world. Clients are demanding, especially when they want their imaginations displayed in a single artwork. This makes it more challenging is settling for a particular commission for your art. However, it’s easy to maintain a steady flow of art commission by presenting quality work and building a huge client base. Create policies that govern your work and guide clients about your art business to thrive.
Artists can incorporate professionalism in different art aspects such as payment channels, selecting jobs, creating and signing contracts, and delivering their services. They introduce intermediary platforms such as Paynco to handle their business commissions’ legal agreements with clients. Art is not limited to art commissions and client demand. It’s a broad business that can be present in different ways.
Most artists sell via social media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram. Besides drawing and painting, some artists use their talents to teach through tutorials or physical classes. The industry also allows the artist to sell through local markets, art shops and more.
Tips for setting your art commission
1. Define the price for your work
It’s hard to decide on a specific art commission since the project are different. However, an artist should have a strategy for pricing their art.
For example:
- Hourly pricing: the artist can request commission based on hours spent on tour art. This requires defined hour rates (x $ per hour); the rates should align with your experience and skills. The artist needs to include the cost of supplies to avoid losses. However, the rates should be considerate not to deter clients from purchasing your work.
- Size: One can also set the prices by size rate of the art, ensuring quality despite the size.
Besides the hour and size aspect, pricing also relies on the following:
- Is the drawing/painting part of your subject or a new skill that requires more time.
- How urgent is the project
- How important is the artwork to your business and skills? Will the project help generate more jobs in future?
2. Planning your time
Time management in art is pretty significant and helps in fast delivery. An artist should be a reliable person who delivers projects on time. Note artists should consider artwork a real job that boosts their livelihood. Don’t over-promise; ensure to estimate and provide ample time to complete the project. It’s better to surprise clients with delivery dates instead of promising unrealistic dates. An organized artist schedules all the tasks based on urgency, size or work, and resources required. It’s wise to create a timesheet/table to ensure your delivery on or before time.
3. Create a details website and formal document about your commissions
It’s advisable to have standard quotes and information about your businesses. Artists using the hourly rates should indicate the details on their website or social platforms. This offers more insight into your commissions and quality of work. Present your project, pictures of your painting, supplies, achievements, and work area to emphasize your artwork. This gives clients sense or surety before they request your services. The website or documents should include the following details:
- Art commission payment methods.
- A non-refundable amount or deposit is required to start the work.
- Details about refunds
- Shipping terms and conditions, cost of shipping (if any).
- Required tools or images from the client to start the artwork.
4. Ask questions and state your artistic styles.
Clients have weird imaginations and might require projects outside your art field. It’s best to state clearly your artistic styles to avoid frustrations. Artists should regularly update their website profiles to show their professionalism. They should also ask different questions before embarking on any project. This helps decide your art commission or determine your ability to deliver.
