Until the last year commissioned work was something I was rarely approached about or confident to take on after some early pieces that didn’t work and I put myself under additional stress which I didn’t need.
I have found with some clients that I haven’t had enough clarity about what they seek before starting a piece which leads to the difficult conversation when they don’t like what you produce. Initially this led me to internalise the stress, which wasn’t healthy but it was also something completely outside my comfort zone.
My confidence has moved on now and I insist on a deposit in most cases which is non refundable as my time is more valuable than I had previously repeated myself.
I go through a brainstorming phase and clarifying points with the client if needed before putting pen to paper. I may need to read books, source photos from my own collection or look on the web to give me ideas. I also refer to past pieces if it is an area I have drawn before.
Not surprisingly some pieces don’t go right straightaway and this is something I have had to learn to work with. I am still developing at taking on work and hope that it is something I shall develop more and more skills to work at. Although I do not want this to be the main reason for my art output as I want to also draw pieces just for myself.
These comments will seem obvious to many people probably but it is such a different process for me from my previous career.
Some examples produced for commissions:
