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How to: commission an artwork from an artist

January 23, 2018 2 Comments

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By Libby Watkins

I am an artist who specialises in creating large scale commission-based artworks and I absolutely love it.

It can be overwhelming knowing where to start if you would like a custom created artwork. It is a pretty easy process and the same kind of questions arise with varying clients, so here is a bit of a rundown on commissioning artwork and some steps to help you adorn your walls with a creative piece you will love!

Firstly, pick an artist you love! The artwork will be something you look at every day, so you want to find the right style for you, and your space. Look through their pieces and find two artworks to reference for different reasons. For example, you might like one for colour and one for subject matter. Be thorough in your research here, look through their website and socials to get a broad view of their work.

Artist Libby Watkins

Secondly, size matters! You will need to be really specific on the finished size. Look at where you might want to hang your artwork. Create a mock artwork by taping the pages of a newspaper together to make a large piece. Always start large and slowly reduce the size until you are happy with it. Leave it on the wall for a day or two, reducing or adding to size until you are satisfied. This is the exact measurement you can now give the artist for a framed or unframed piece.

Now it’s time to engage your artist! The fun begins. Contact them and request a custom piece. Tell them why you have chosen them as the artist as this allows them to understand what kind of piece you aspire to own. You don’t want to give too much detail or direction at this point, as you want their creativity to flow naturally. Remember, you have chosen this artist for a reason — you already love their work and in that must be trust. Give them your two reference pieces and why you chose them. You can tell them the exact size. They will love that you have done your homework as this helps them; in most cases the artists can’t visit your space and a photograph can only provide a limited perspective.

You can touch on any specifics now, but remember keep it brief as to not cram their artistic thought pattern.

You will now want to ask them how they work. Do they sketch up for you? Or will they commence work and come back to you later to show progress of the piece? Make sure you are comfortable with the way in which they create your piece. Do you want more or less collaboration? If you see a problem now, speak up.

Time is money. Confirm the timeframe. When will you see a progress photo? (if applicable, refer to above paragraph). Or when will the piece be completed and delivered (I have been known to create mermaid tails in under a week, sometimes, even months at other times.)? You want to ensure this timeframe suits you, but you also need to be mindful not to rush the artist as it’s a creative process for them. They may do two or three versions before showing you a progress photo. They want to get it right! Be generous in your expectation as they may have a heavy workload at the time or varying intricacies in the piece you are requesting. Or neither of these, and they will knock it over in 24 hours! You may be given a range for example of two-to-four weeks from start to completion of the artwork. Rarely will you be given an exact date unless it’s a special request.

Enjoy the journey of creating your commission artwork. You want something at the end of it that you can stand in front of and feel what you set out to feel. You want to look at it and be proud to know you had creative input, or at least a vision, for the piece, and it’s now hanging in your home or workplace for all to admire.

–Australian artist and designer, Libby Watkins creates large scale artworks from her dreamy island home ‘Paradiso’ on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. A small limited edition collection is also released every few weeks online and in selected boutiques.

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The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys 💗 Me and my boys 💗
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner 💓😁
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack 🥰 @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack 🥰 @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting 🤣 Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help ❤️
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late is marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydney’s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital 😜

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
The unluckiest girl or the luckiest? Day 6 in int The unluckiest girl or the luckiest?

Day 6 in intensive care after suddenly coming down with a very serious necrotising fasciitis in my elbow on Sunday. Four operations later (with more to come) I'm out of the woods, alive and have my arm. But I won't be going home until after Christmas. Also picked up a bonus bit of pneumonia to keep things interesting.

I won't lie. This has been super super hard but I feel extremely lucky nonetheless. Have come across some exceptional surgeons, anaesthetists, doctors and nurses who have been incredibly kind at my most vulnerable as well as great at their jobs. I'm really grateful. Huge thank you to my amazing husband who is holding down the fort with the help and cooking of our wonderful friends. And to friends who check in, send love, flowers, snacks and sushi, I will never forget it.

Of course I will be sad tomorrow but my boys can visit and we will have another Christmas next month.

I'll leave you with this. Never ever ignore those health niggles. @healthdirectaus is always a great starting point.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and will enjoy everyone else's celebrations on here with only a hint of bitterness 😉

PS. Does this win the most unflattering photo of me ever published? I think so! No lippy for a WEEK.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarThe Everyday Designer says

    January 25, 2018 at 7:35 am

    The article on how to select an artist is really well written. I’m currently encouraging my client to do just that, so having the process specified is really helpful. Thank you.

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      January 25, 2018 at 9:44 am

      Glad it was useful, Michelle!

      Reply

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