What to Do if You Do an Art Commision but They Dont Pay
Every bit a self-employed artist, I rely on commissions more than so than selling my work in galleries. Nevertheless, some artists are not bully negotiators or business-minded, and art commissions that kickoff off optimistic tin sometimes plough into a sour experience. These eight tips will assistance you maintain expert clients, manage their expectations, and produce work with integrity.
1 – Timing is key. Exist responsive and follow up on your leads immediately.
If someone expresses interest in buying one of your pieces, merely can't make a deposit or payment right away, take downward their contact info and follow upwards with them by the stop of the day/event. Most people who buy art don't "need" information technology. It's a luxury item that is often an impulse buy — they fall in love with the art and have to accept it. But if y'all expect too long, the infatuation can fade or even transfer to another item. If the art is intended as a souvenir, timing is even more important. I learned while working in advertising that no matter how well your production is advertised, if you lot don't brand the sale at the right time, you lot've missed the adventure. Simply luckily, people are more willing to wait when information technology comes to art.
2 – Don't be shy to state your terms.
It's always wise to accept an artist's agreement signed by both parties to protect yous from unwarranted situations. First off, licensing terms should be fabricated clear. Does the client want the right to reproduce the artwork for commercial utilize/sale? They may call up that owning the artwork is the aforementioned as owning the license to reproduce it as they encounter fit. It's your chore to educate them if this is the case. Most artists retain their licensing rights for their work fifty-fifty after a sale. But an unaware client may have your commission and innocently reproduce it on T-shirts or publish it for commercial utilise without informing y'all offset. That will definitely lead to a sticky situation that could be avoided. Freelance artists may besides ask for a "impale fee" — a mandatory fee in instance the project is cancelled midway. Impale fees can be fifty – 100% of the project price, depending on how soon the project is cancelled.
three – Ask for a payment up forepart.
Information technology's fair to ask for as much every bit fifty% up front to comprehend the cost of your materials and time. Some people prefer 30% down and a couple of installments. I would recommend taking betwixt 30 – fifty% upward front end, unless the commission is for a friend or somebody who has proficient standing credit with you. For larger commissions, consider a monthly payment plan, where you transport your client monthly progress updates. Making a payment will help both the patron and the creative person stay invested in the piece, and build a credible professional relationship.
4 – Know exactly what you're being asked to do.
Exist clear in your descriptions and check in with the customer at certain intervals. Remember why the client chose you to begin with, and don't dubiety your ability. DO take creative license — this is why you were hired! Practice beginning with concepts or sketches for them to approve before moving on to costly or large calibration piece of work. DON'T bank check in besides oft, or seem unsure of yourself or ideas, as this is an open invitation for your patron to suggest their ideas, or perhaps drag you lot along a creative journey that isn't your own. They're just trying to assist, but information technology's probably doing the opposite.
v – Cherish your practiced clients, and acquire to manage difficult ones.
Non every committee will go smoothly, but don't allow a few bad experiences ruin the potential for great ones. I've had my share of difficult clients, especially when I was an eager and fresh art school graduate. This is a learning curve that will take experience, but here are some cues to spotter out for. The good clients will insist on paying you up front, leave a lot of the artistic license to you, and give you lot a broad spectrum to work with without interfering with your creative process. Hang on to the practiced clients, as their trust will inspire you to be more creative, resulting in more than portfolio pieces, and you'll beloved what yous do fifty-fifty more. The bad ones will try to dictate how you do things, change their minds after you've already started, or micromanage your work — merely they insist they're just trying to help. Expert client management skills and educating your client on your process — like what you Do and DON'T need from them in terms of creative input — is crucial to keeping the integrity in your work.
6 – Know your market.
What type of fine art do you enjoy creating the most? What type of art are yous best at? If yous market place yourself wisely, you'll stop upwardly with commissions you absolutely bask. I had trouble deciding for a long time because I savour creating in many styles — my piece of work ranges from plein air landscapes and travel memoirs to quirky dark illustrations to colourful portraits. If I had to choose, I do bask the illustrations the most, but they take the near time and have a much slimmer market compared to the landscapes and colourful portraits.
7 – Accept a method to pricing your work.
This will prevent panic when an opportunity comes up. Virtually artists toll their work based on a per project charge per unit ($ = estimated hours to completion 10 hourly rate) or based on size ($/sq footage) but there are four variables to keep in heed:
1) Time – Volition you be working weekends or long hours? Or tin you lot do this leisurely in a couple of hours? Is it due immediately, or can yous take your time?
2) Size – Larger pieces require more paint, materials, handling, aircraft costs, etc.
three) Skill Required – Portraits and figurative art generally require more skill than landscapes, then they are priced higher. Is the subject complex, like lace or patterning that requires a lot of item?
4) Creative Integrity – Will this piece enhance your portfolio, or will you lot never evidence it off after information technology'due south complete? Is the projection interesting, meaningful, and fun to work on?
8 – Provide a good experience by sharing your process.
The more open and honest you stay with a client, the more positive the feel will be for both parties. Check in periodically, and send them some photos of work in progress, or an enthusiastic update. I tin't stress the enthusiasm enough: YOU are the artist. If you sound excited most your piece, then will the client. If y'all sound unsure or unconfident, chances are your customer will also lose confidence in the project.
Markham artist Stacey MacNevin stresses the importance of non just delivering a painting, merely delivering an overall experience. She advises, "Spend the time up front end actually listening to what a client wants for their piece. They may say: 'I love your stuff — do whatever you want' but what they are really asking you for is an experience." Commissioning an artist should be an interesting, thrilling, and enjoyable experience that is rich in conversation and creativity. So accept the fourth dimension to understand your client, mind to their vision, and requite them some insight into your creative process. It'south worth the time two-fold: the client will feel more connected to the piece because they are now more than continued to your process.
While art commissions can sometimes be an exercise in trial and fault, in my experience, these tips make clients happy and allow you to maintain your artistic integrity and creative vision.
ABOUT THE Creative person
Fei Lu is a self-employed artist, creative director, and founder of Winged Canvas Art Hub in Markham, Ontario. Her paintings are known to be colourful and provocative with a affect of humour, hinting at a deeper story behind each painting. Her artwork has been published in Practical Arts and American Analogy and in individual collections worldwide.
Source: https://theabundantartist.com/8-tips-artists-accepting-commissions/
0 Response to "What to Do if You Do an Art Commision but They Dont Pay"
Postar um comentário