Note: Commission-work is on hold until further notice; as from today, 29th July 2010.
For Your Home or Office Space. Individual attention to your request; regular email updates; sensible prices. For the price of some prints and canvas repros currently on the market, you could have an original painting. Although having painted for many years, I started accepting commissions only a few years ago and have successfully completed around 20 pictures for people in the UK; ranging in size from just 6" x 4" (15cm x 10cm) to 3 feet (1 metre) square. These pictures are mostly on canvas, in living rooms, bedrooms and on small-office walls. One or two have been small framed gift items.
Subject-Matter
I can undertake private commissions involving floral, still-life or landscape topics in the styles as seen on this website, using oils or acrylics. Painting sizes from 6" (15cm) square/rectangle to around 36" (90cm) width/length (single ready-stretched panel). Over 36", please read the N.B below.
I have found that people are drawn to work that has already been sold and then ask me to produce the same thing for them. It is not feasible to reproduce a painting exactly as before, but it is possible to paint something very similar. The reason is that if I duplicated all my paintings, then they would not exactly be "unique" and my activity as a painter would become little more than a production-line. I am aware that many artists work like this, but it is not my way. By all means bring my attention to a work that you have seen, and like, but has now sold; and we can go from there.
I can paint subjects other than floral and will be happy to consider other ideas; but I do not do portrait-work. In past years I have painted small items for wedding gifts, bridesmaids' presents, charity/organisation prize-draws ( one included paintings of the buildings of a golf-club!); in essence I can be "open" to almost anything. I do not make any charges for preliminary discussions either by email or phone. If necessary I can work with pastel or watercolour as well.
N.B With regard to the current trend for very large paintings, e.g anything in excess of five feet (1.5m) one way. After a lot of thought, I have decided that it will not be possible for me to handle single canvasses of this size. The only way I can consider it is if the dimensions are made up of several smaller canvasses (eg triptych, diptych and similar). The physical handling and delivery of big "yacht-sail" canvasses is beyond my present capacity, especially in terms of my work-space. See my MultiPanels page for layouts and ideas.
General Price Guide
Please be aware that these prices are not set in stone; a painting that is more simplistic in design could work out at a lower price than a complex one, due to time spent on original thoughts, drawings and preparation.
Larger commissioned canvas paintings (24" and up) are, whenever possible, produced on bespoke canvas panels, using 12oz cotton-canvas and sturdy hardwood frames. Canvases smaller than 24" are now those with softwood stretchers, since price rises are making heavier hardwood ones less viable at these sizes.
(modified December 2009): Prices do not include delivery.
Oils or acrylic;
- 12" x 12" canvas £50-70;
- 16" x 12" canvas £75-95;
- 20" x 16" canvas £100-120;
- 20" x 20" canvas £120-170;
- 24" x 24" canvas £170-250; (softwood/hardwood stretchers)
- 36" x 24" canvas £250-330; (softwood/hardwood stretchers)
Various dip- and triptych combinations will be quoted for on an individual basis. For example, a three-panel painting composed of separate 20 x 16 inch box canvases (softwood) would not cost as much as three separate paintings of the same size, but be scaled somewhat to give a competitive price.
There are three depths of canvasses available to me commercially; standard, box and and extra-deep box. See pictures below. Artists usually paint the sides of these canvasses and continue the picture around the edges. This is ideal if you want an unframed picture. Extra deep box panels range up to as much as 3 inches (75mm).
The prices shown do not include framing; all paintings are delivered unframed, since it allows the buyer to choose their own, to suit. In the case of chunky or box canvasses, framing is not essential.
Bear in mind the load-bearing capability of your house walls. Large hardwood-stretcher canvas panels weigh several pounds; for example a 24" x 24" (60cm x 60cm) hardwood example weighs 6lb (around 2.7kg).
The following pictures show an example of each type of canvas depth;
Left to right; Slim standard canvas, 20mm approx (0.75 inches); Box canvas, depth varies between 35mm and 43mm (1.75 to 2 inches) dependent on maker; and Extra deep box, approx 75mm or 3 inches. Limited sizes and availabilty for the last one.
General Points
- Time to complete a work will depend on a number of factors, but if you have a particular date in mind, please specify in your application.
- Oil paintings will require a couple of weeks (minimum) surface-drying time before despatch. Under normal circumstances, oil paintings do not receive a coat of protective varnish until they are at least six months old (thinner paint applications might get away with less). Since this can be a bit inconvenient for commissioned work that is required within a relatively short time-frame, I will despatch the painting when (a) dry to touch and thus not liable to rubbing and/or (b) a light coat of spray varnish can be applied.
- Please ensure that any photos you send do not have someone else's copyright.
- There is no charge for a general quote. Any materials you send to me for assessment will be returned if both/either parties decline the commission.
- If you are uncertain as to whether I would actually do a particular subject/idea, please ask.
- A deposit of 25% of the final cost is normally requested, before starting a commissioned work. The deposit will, of course, be counted as part-payment toward the final total. If a deposit is not received within a reasonable time of the initial enquiry (say 3-4 weeks), then an email MAY be sent, asking if the inquirer still wishes to proceed; however I reserve the right to allocate that proposed working time to other projects, and also to delay/cancel ordering materials for that commission.
- Commissioned paintings can usually be delivered on a date to suit the purchaser. I am happy to keep a commissioned work in store, ready for delivery, but cannot do so indefinitely. If a client cannot be contacted, either by phone, email or letter; or does not reply to any communications within six months of the commission's completion, then I may offer the work for sale on the open market.
- Delivery of work is normally by Royal Mail, 1st class post, where possible, according to size. (UK). Recorded and next-day guaranteed deliveries can also be organised at the appropriate costs. Under the new postal regulations, long works and parcels in excess of 24" (600mm) will have to go via Parcelforce24hr.
- I am happy to deliver pictures overseas (Europe, USA/Can, Aus/NZ); airmail is possible for items weighing under 2kg inclusive of the packaging; otherwise deliveries are via surface mail.
You will find my contact details at the Contact Page.
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