I absolutely adore creating commissioned artwork! The thought of my art finding a special place in someone’s home, cherished and adored, feels like a huge honor. It’s this beautiful bond that forms between the artist and the patron, which I treasure deeply.
However, diving into custom pieces isn’t always a walk in the park. My top takeaway? Communication is absolutely critical.
I recently wrapped up a commission for a wonderful mother and her kids. The starting point was a photo of them in front of their house. We decided to switch up the backdrop to something more nature-inspired.
Being a big fan of vibrant blues, I whipped up a few backgrounds featuring blue-hued palm trees and flowers. I was quite pleased with the outcome. But when I shared it with my client, her reaction wasn’t as enthusiastic as mine. She responded by texting me a picture of a book cover adorned with cherry blossoms, showcasing a more subdued, gentle color palette.
That’s when it clicked—she’s more of a serene introvert, drawn to art that exudes a calm, soothing vibe.
I’m so glad I started off with a mockup. It really helped to nail down exactly what she was looking for.
It’s a common scenario where clients might not have a clear idea of what they want or struggle to articulate it. That’s where digging deeper or presenting mock-ups can make all the difference. Often, seeing is believing, helping them pinpoint their likes and dislikes.
Throughout the painting process, I made it a point to send her updates with progress shots, keeping the door open for any tweaks she desired.
She requested to be depicted without her glasses and for her children’s outfits to be changed, which I managed without a hitch.
However, painting her son’s hand was a bit tricky—shifting from a short to a long sleeve meant rethinking the pose, ideally with his hand in his pocket.
I made several attempts to paint from imagination, but something always didn’t feel right.
Frustrated, I suddenly remembered that a couple of my own sons’s portraits hanging on our wall showed them with their hands in their pockets.
So, I went back to my house and checked out these photos. One of the photos was exactly what I needed, allowing me to finish that part with satisfaction.
So here is Lesson two: Flexibility and resourcefulness are key in commissioned work. Sometimes, you’ve got to improvise to fulfill those expectations.
Lesson Three: Strive to Be an All-Around Artist
Don’t limit yourself to just one artistic category.
For most artists, having multiple sources of income is crucial. Indeed, there are artists who solely display their work in galleries and consider their job done. However, based on my experience, even artists who are represented by multiple galleries often need additional revenue streams to sustain their business.
This is why being an all-around artist is not just advantageous for your artistic growth but also essential for maintaining a thriving art business.
Currently, I am creating paintings that including both landscapes and portraits. I exhibit my work at various locations around town, offer private and group lessons from my home, and have developed several online courses to help my students accelerate their progress.
Additionally, I am active on social media and am learning about marketing to increase the visibility of my art.
Yes, it requires a lot of effort, but I approach it with joy. After all, pursuing your passion is one of the most rewarding experiences in life!
Last, I’ve put together a quick video of the entire painting journey. Feel free to check it out on my Instagram. And hey, while you’re there, please click the follow button—I’ll hit you back with one, too!https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5BkS8VuHRv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
With warmest regards,
Ying
PS: remember, you are just one piece of art away from your next breakthrough!
