Commission Sizes and Pricing

What do you charge for a commission, and how do you calculate it?

Some artists charge by the hour, which makes sense in a way, because some paintings are more complex than others and can take a lot more time.  However, I don't charge that way for two reasons: first, it's difficult for me to accurately predict how long a painting will take, and I don't ever want a customer to suspect that I might be working more slowly on purpose just to charge them more.  Second, it would mean that as I grow in skills and become more efficient with my work, I would end up charging people less - which doesn't seem right.  So I have chosen to do what many other artists do, and that is to charge by the square inch.  It's a simple, fair, and objective measure that ensures all paintings are priced equally.  Larger paintings use more materials, packaging, and postage, so that makes sense as well.  Depending on their skill level, most artists charge between $1 and $5 per square inch.  I consider myself to be an intermediate level artist with plenty of room to grow, so in 2023, my price for a commissioned painting of one animal is approximately $2 per square inch, plus any applicable sales tax. You may add up to two other animals in the painting for an additional $50 each (see below).   Shipping is free anywhere within the continental United States.

 

​

What do your costs cover?

Besides the time and skill needed to create your painting, my costs also cover my use of professional 300lb artist grade paper, paints, and brushes, as well as the rigid, acid-free packaging material that I use to securely ship your completed work.  This ensures that your painting is of the highest archival quality and that it is protected to the best of my ability during shipping.  My costs also cover the time I spend communicating with you (my client), providing updates and progress photos, and tweaking sketches to suit your vision.

​

Total prices (not including sales tax, which will be calculated depending on where you live) for each size are listed below.  A non-refundable deposit of 40% of the payment is due before work commences; the remainder is due when work is completed, before I ship it to you (more on this is written in my Terms and Conditions).

​

Large 12x16" painting (in a mat with an 11x14" opening)

Secured with removable painter's tape to a neutral white mat and backing board

(best suited for multiple animals/whole body, or just one that you'd like

a little larger!)

$330

​

​

Small 9x12" painting (in a mat with an 8x10" opening)

Secured with removable painter's tape to a neutral white mat and backing board

(best suited for single/head and shoulders portrait of animal)

$175

​

Prices above are for a painting of a single animal.  Frames are not included.  Please add $50 for each additional animal you'd like in the painting, up to 3 total.  For international shipments (outside the U.S.), customers are responsible for VAT and there is an additional $75 shipping fee.
 

​

If you are interested in another size, let me know. 

​

​

​