The most important thing is not to have a perfectly finished idea. It is more important to be able to describe the purpose the painting will serve and the qualities that matter to the client.
What is a custom painting?
The term “custom painting” usually refers to a painting created for a particular client according to an agreed brief.
The starting point might be:
- a particular photo;
- a person or pet;
- an important place;
- a particular colour palette;
- the interior design of a room;
- a more abstract idea or mood;
- an example of the artist’s previous work.
Commissioning a custom painting does not mean that the client has to plan the entire composition in advance. Developing the visual solution is the artist’s role.
Start with the purpose
Before deciding on colours and details, it is worth answering a simple question:
Why do you want this painting?
The work might be intended:
- for a particular room at home;
- for an office or another workspace;
- as a gift;
- to commemorate an important person or event;
- to complement an existing interior;
- simply to visualise an idea of personal significance.
The purpose helps guide the decisions that follow.
For example, the size and colour palette may be decisive when a work is commissioned for a particular room. For a gift, the personal significance of the subject may matter more.
Do you need an exact idea before commissioning?
No.
A fairly general starting point can be enough for a commissioned painting.
For example:
“I would like a large painting in calm tones for my living room.”
or:
“I would like to use the subject from this photo, but I do not want a photorealistic copy.”
This information already provides a direction that can be refined before work begins.
Do you need an exact idea for a commissioned painting?
It is useful, however, to distinguish between requirements that are essential to the client and aspects where there is room for flexibility.
Make three lists
Before sending an enquiry, you can divide your wishes into three groups.
1. Essential
For example:
- a particular person or object;
- a specific main colour;
- a maximum size;
- a horizontal format.
2. Desirable
For example:
- a particular detail;
- a certain background tone;
- a particular atmosphere.
3. Up to the artist
Anything for which the client would like to allow creative freedom.
This division helps avoid a situation where every preference seems equally non-negotiable.
Size should be considered before work begins
A custom painting is a physical object, which makes its dimensions an important part of the commission.
If the work is too small, details may have less impact than intended. A very large painting, however, may dominate the room more than originally planned.
When choosing the size, consider:
- the width and height of the wall;
- the placement of furniture;
- the viewing distance;
- the proportions of the work;
- the level of detail in the subject.
How to choose the size of a commissioned painting
Before commissioning the work, you can mark its proposed dimensions on the wall with painter’s tape. This often gives a better impression than looking at measurements on paper.
For colours, provide a direction rather than an exact formula
If the painting is intended for a particular interior, you can send the artist a photo of the room.
This helps show:
- the colour of the walls;
- the flooring;
- the furniture;
- the room’s overall colour palette;
- the approximate lighting;
- the intended location of the painting.
This does not mean that the painting has to use exactly the same colours as the furnishings. It is more important to know whether the work should blend calmly into the room or deliberately create a stronger contrast.
Inspiration images help explain your wishes
Sometimes it is difficult to describe a visual idea in words.
In this case, you can send inspiration images and, where possible, explain exactly what you like about them.
For example:
- the colours;
- the composition;
- the light;
- the overall mood;
- the simplicity or level of detail in the subject.
An inspiration image should not automatically be treated as a request to copy another creator’s work.
When a custom painting is based on a photo
If a photo is the starting point, send the highest-quality original available.
It is also important to explain:
- whether the background in the photo should remain;
- which people or objects must appear in the painting;
- whether anything may be removed;
- whether the colours should remain similar to those in the photo;
- whether a more realistic or freer interpretation is preferred.
Turning a photo into a painting – what to consider when commissioning a painting from a photo
What should you ask before reaching an agreement?
For a custom commission, it is sensible to clarify the individual artist’s terms before work begins.
For example, you might ask:
- how the price is determined;
- when the final size is confirmed;
- what the expected schedule is;
- when the brief is considered approved;
- how the finished work is delivered or handed over;
- whether changes are possible and, if so, at what stage.
There is no single universal answer to these questions. The terms depend on the artist and the individual commission.
A custom painting as a gift
If the painting is intended as a gift, it is particularly important to allow enough time for the commission.
It is also worth considering whether the recipient has a suitable place to display the work.
Useful reference information for a gift may include:
- the general style of the recipient’s home or room;
- the approximate wall space available;
- preferred colours;
- a personally meaningful subject.
The more personal the initial idea is, the less need there is to add arbitrary decorative elements simply to “fill” the work.
Checklist for commissioning a custom painting
Before sending an enquiry, it is helpful to have answers to at least the following questions:
- Where will the painting be displayed?
- What is its main idea or subject?
- What might be an appropriate approximate size?
- Should the format be vertical, horizontal or square?
- Are reference photos or inspiration images available?
- Which requirements are essential?
- In which areas may the artist have creative freedom?
- Is the commission linked to a particular date?
You do not need to know all the answers when making the first enquiry.
Well-prepared reference information does, however, make communication between the client and artist more specific and reduces the risk of misunderstandings later.