Commissions
If you have ever thought about commissioning a painting but have been discouraged, thinking it might be prohibitively expensive, or if you have never considered commissioning a painting but rather like the idea of owning a bespoke painting, the subject of which you have a personal interest in or attachment to, fear not; the process is simple and the cost for one of John’s paintings is surprisingly affordable and very competitive.
You may be surprised to learn just how simple and relatively inexpensive it is. So, read on to learn the process of commissioning a painting through to its collection or delivery.
5-Stage Process
- Scoping: Contact John to discuss your ideas or requirements.
- Research: You provide any material you have, John will do the rest.
- Sketching: John will produce working sketches for you to view.
- Creation: The painting will be created using the chosen medium and support and, if requested and agreed, framing will be arranged.
- Delivery: Either you collect or John delivers (distance dependent). Couriers are an option if required.
1) Scoping
Having decided to explore the possibility of commissioning a pastel or oil painting, just contact John to discuss your requirement or to arrange an initial meeting if preferred. Most likely, you will have an idea of the subject or event you wish to capture but are unsure as to how it should be composed or which medium to choose. During your initial conversation with John you will discuss your ideas, decide roughly the size of the painting, the cost, the medium, time scales and what you would like to do regarding framing and delivery.
When it comes to calculating the cost, the process is simple as John charges by the square inch. The price quoted will be for the painting only. Framing and the costs involved can also be discussed. Currently John charges £1 per square inch for pastels and £1.50 per square inch for oil paintings (with a 50p per square inch supplement for complex battle scenes due to the extra time they require). So, a pastel measuring 8” x 12 “(approximately A4) would cost £96. A larger pastel, say 24” x 36” would cost £864. An oil painting measuring 24” x 36” would cost £1,296 and a complex battle scene of the same size, featuring multiple figures, would cost £1,728.
2) Research
Following the initial conversation, should the subject of your painting be a pet or other animal you have a particular interest in, good quality, high resolution photographs will be required for reference. John has often been commissioned to produce memorial paintings of much loved pets and horses that are sadly no longer with us. Without the opportunity to meet the subject, the only way to accurately ‘capture’ their spirit and character is by reference to several good quality photos, one of which is often selected, in agreement with the client, as the main reference for pose and lighting.
If the subject is a ship, train, other vehicle, building or particular landscape scene, any photos you may have will be of use but if you don’t have any, fear not. John will embark on a detailed process of researching the subject (often one of the most interesting and enjoyable aspects of the process) to ensure the finished painting is as accurate as possible in every detail. Depending on location, a field trip might be undertaken in order to assess light, shadows and the shape and flow of the land. In the case of a battlefield a visit at the same time of year as the battle was fought is ideal if possible. If it is agreed that a field trip would be necessary a fee may need to be included over and above the cost of the commission. This will depend on location.
3) Sketching
Once the research is complete, working sketches will be produced showing ideas for the finished painting. You will have the opportunity to view them and discuss and agree the way forward. If necessary, the sketches will be reworked to incorporate any preferences or ideas you have.
The sketches, and blow by blow photos of the painting as it comes to life, are often included with the finished painting at no extra cost, so that you have a complete record of the progress of your painting.
4) Creation
Depending on the choice of medium and size of painting, the support will be prepared.
In the case of oil paintings, either high quality, pre-stretched canvases or, if preferred, plywood or MDF boards are used. In each case three coats of gesso will be added to the surface, sanding down between each layer, to provide a good base for the oil paints.
For pastel paintings, either pre-bought Pastelmat boards are used or, if the painting needs to be bigger, larger supports will be produced on hardboard or acid-free mount board coated in gesso and a suitable pastel ground.
Once the support is ready and a full-sized working sketch has been produced, the image is transferred onto the canvas or board, adjustments are made if required, and the painting begins. If requested, you will be kept updated as the painting progresses, although, many clients prefer to wait to see the completed painting, especially in the case of pet portraits.
Oil paintings take longer than pastels due to drying times of the paint and, depending on the size of the painting and complexities of the subject, they can take several weeks to complete once painting has started. This can often be preceded by a protracted period of research and planning. So, a large sized battle painting can take months to produce. A small pastel can be produced in around 20 hours, once all research, planning and sketching has been completed.
Please note that John retains the copyright on all paintings and images produced. However, be assured that you have full unrestricted ownership of the commissioned painting. He is happy to discuss any request for you to publish the picture in a journal or book, etc. The painting will be delivered framed if you have decided to have framing arranged by John.
He currently uses a framing company in Dorset who frame to an exceptional standard. Approximate costs and possible problems with regard to delivery will be discussed during the initial scoping phase.
5) Delivery
Depending on your location your painting can be delivered by hand. However, if this is not possible, usually due to distance, you will need to arrange a courier service to ensure the painting arrives safely and undamaged.