How Much Do Your Commissions Cost?

I charge for my personal commissions based on three factors:

Firstly, I account for the cost of materials and difficulty with a simple calculation. The dimensions are multiplied by themselves, so every piece is based on the cost per square inch. For example, if you decide you would like one 9 x 12-inch piece done, then I will simply multiply 9 by 12 to get the base cost. In this instance, 9x12 = $108 CAD.

Secondly, I charge $15 CAD per hour of work spent, which is the minimum wage in Alberta, Canada, where I live. So if the piece takes 20 hours of work to complete, I will charge 15x20 = $300 CAD.

And thirdly, I ask all clients to cover their shipping expenses. This includes shipping insurance and the cost to ship, be it domestic or international.

Finally, before any work is done, I request a deposit of 50% of the expected minimum cost of the commission. For example, if the piece is 9x12 inches and I expect it to take 20 hours, the final commission cost would be estimated to be $408 CAD. Therefore, before I start the process, I would request $204 CAD.

Please note that once I start working on your piece and you have paid the 50% deposit, this deposit becomes non-refundable. This ensures I am compensated for any work performed and materials in the event that our agreement ends. The final 50% or greater is expected to be paid in full before I ship your piece. It is also important to note that some pieces may take more or less time, and that the initial quote is just an estimate. Clients should be prepared to pay less or more than the initial quote.

What is The Process of Making Your Commissions?

The process of making your personal art commission is straightforward.

Firstly, when planning out all my pieces, I create a simple digital image as the mock-up so we can agree on the direction of the piece or pieces. This ensures we are both on the same page for what you would like and I have a plan to follow. Once you agree to the plan, I move forward to working traditionally.

Secondly, once I begin working traditionally, you can expect no to little “in progress updates” or photos. This is because the process of making art can be unappealing, and I can be hard to see the vision in these middle stages. I work on the understanding you will only see the commission at certain times, when I need your opinion, or only at the end once the commission is complete.

Once your commission is finished, there is still an important step to complete:

As a part of my process, I insist on getting a professional scan of the piece done by a third party, or by myself. This scan is important for two reasons.

Firstly, getting a professional digital scan turned digital file is important because then you, the client, have a "back up" just in case any damage should happen to your pieces during the time you have it. This way, even if it's 30 years down the road, you have a copy for those "just in case" moments.

Secondly, it's important for me to have a digital copy for both my records and my website. 

How Long Will it Take For You To Complete My Commission?

As I am currently a student at the University, you can expect pieces to take several weeks to several months, depending on the size, difficulty, complexity, and the number of commissions you want done at a single time. I will offer you a more specific timeframe during our personal discussions.

Contracts and Receipts

As a part of my hiring process, I request that you sign a simple contract to ensure that you understand the terms of these conditions fully. For all payments, you will be given an invoice for your records and any copies of pertinent receipts, such as shipping and insurance costs. All contracts must be agreed upon and signed before I commence work on your piece. Receipts and invoices will be provided at the end of our contracted period.

Any More Questions?

I hope this answered all your questions.

If not, please reach out to me through the contact form provided below.