Commissions - The Word
with Heather René Dunaway
March 2025
I don’t always open my commissions, but when I do its because I’m broke or bored. It’s not the best business model, but it does come in handy when I’m planning a trip or need some practice at drawing faces, hair and hands.
Commissions are staples to some full time artists. Especially when they are starting out. It is a great way to build a base of art collectors and relationships with clients. Who better to invite to an art show than someone who really values your work?
Essentially, these artists are available to create one of a kind works based off your ideas. Often times they are portraits, graphic design work, murals, etc. Artists are flexible in that respect. But when you are first starting off, it can be a struggle to find ways to price out your work that makes sense. It definitely was for me, but I think I found a model that works (for me).
I wound up breaking it down to the square inch, and calculating the cost of materials and my labor. So, if you are making an 8″ x 10″ pencil portrait,
for example, if you know it will take you about 5 hours to finish. If your hourly rate is $25, that would be $125 in labor. If your materials (one sheet of 8″ x 10″ paper, your pencil, fixative) breaks down to about let’s say $10. BOOM, there you go, $135.00 . Its not an original artwork, since its a commission, unless you are taking a lot of liberties in the design work (rare, but when folks want that its AMAZING). Then you can calculate in the mat and/or framing (if they want you to do that), shipping, etc.
If you do it regularly enough, you should be adding 10% every 6 months to a year. This will ensure you are taking on as much as you can handle and are making the appropriate amount of money for your work. Obviously, you are getting better and better with each piece and creating a demand, so your price should reflect that. Heck, my rates are overdue for a 10% push.
One thing to consider is creating a contract for your commissions. Or having your rules visible and ready to share with written confirmation that they are agreeing to adhere to them. You ALWAYS want to get a deposit down, and make sure it’s non-refundable after you have begun the work. Vet your clients with necessary questions because scammers are getting smarter in how they approach artists. Keep your commission info adaptable and “subject to change” on a case by case basis. You can view what I have in mine on my website here: https://www.heatherrenedunaway.com/commission .
Sometimes a bit of trial and error is needed to figure out what your specific needs are. Maybe your writing a jingle for a commercial, maybe your doing a photo shoot, heck maybe you are doing taxidermy of a squirrel using a hula hoop. Whatever your art form, think long and hard about the type of business you want your commissions to get.
That’s the word,
Go make money.
-Heather