Commission Terms and Conditions
Please read carefully. Although this is not the most exciting page, it serves a very important purpose. This page is here to make sure you and I fully understand what we can expect from each other, so that both of us are happy with the outcome of the project. Please note that booking a commission with me indicates your understanding of and agreement to all of the following terms and conditions.
GENERAL TERMS:
By booking a commission, you are agreeing to purchase an original watercolor painting created by me (Naomi Witzke). This painting will be completed on 300lb Arches cold press watercolor paper, using professional/artist grade watercolor paints. Generally my animal portraits are painted without a background - i.e. just the animal on white paper. If you would like a background painted in, please discuss it with me before painting begins.
A nonrefundable deposit of 40% of the selling price (including any applicable sales tax) is required before work commences, and will be collected by me through PayPal or Venmo. See this page for specific prices and sizes. Once I receive your payment and reference photo(s), I will begin creating for you! The first thing I will do is develop an outline sketch and email a photo of it to you for approval. You may suggest up to two edits to the sketch at this point, free of charge. I may also swatch out some possible paint colors and share a photo of those with you as well. The more prompt you can be in responding to my emails, the more quickly I can proceed with the painting.
After you approve the outline sketch, I will begin painting. I will send you progress photos as I go and ask for your input when I need it. You may suggest up to two revisions/tweaks once painting begins, and I will do my best to accommodate them (some changes cannot be made in the medium of watercolor, but many can). If you request more than two changes during painting, they will be added onto your final invoice at a rate of $25/hour. If I suggest any changes, those will not be billed to you.
When your painting is complete, I will email you a photo of it for your final approval. Once you approve the final painting and I have received the rest of your payment via PayPal or Venmo (the remaining 60%), I will ship it to you!
CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS:
Of course it is my hope that you will love the piece I create especially for you! If, however, you decide after the work has started that you no longer wish to purchase it, you do not have to pay the remaining 60% of the cost. In this case, I will retain both the artwork and the 40% deposit paid by you at the beginning of the commission.
The deposit is non-refundable after the work has started, because of the cost of materials used, and the hours of time and work I will have already put into creating the piece for you and communicating with you about it. If you cancel before I have even begun working, I will of course refund you completely. In the unlikely event that I need to cancel the project, I will offer to reschedule or give you a 100% refund.
Please note that once you have paid for the painting in full and I have shipped it to you, I can no longer offer refunds or exchanges of any kind.
PACKAGING AND SHIPPING:
Your finished painting will be mounted on a neutral white mat with a rigid backing board, and enclosed in a clear acid free plastic sleeve for its protection. It will be shipped first class USPS in a rigid cardboard mailer with insurance, tracking, and clearly marked "DO NOT BEND" labels. A certificate of authenticity, copyright information, and suggestions for the proper care of your new artwork will be included in your package. The artwork will be attached to the mat with removable painter's tape so that you can change the mat if you want by carefully removing the tape. If you do this, please remove tape slowly and carefully so as not to tear the artwork - this is your choice and your responsibility! If you would prefer me not to mat your artwork, just let me know before I ship it.
All artwork will be securely packaged to ensure its safe delivery. I am not responsible for any damage or loss incurred during shipping, once the piece has left my possession. However, if your artwork does arrive damaged (heaven forbid), please contact me right away and I will do what I can to assist you. Please note that in order to file an insurance claim for damaged mail, the USPS requires clear photos of both the damaged packaging and contents, so in the unlikely event that this happens, be sure to take lots of good photos before you throw the packaging out!
COPYRIGHT:
Purchase of an original piece of artwork does not transfer any copyright privileges to you. I reserve the common-law and intellectual property copyright to any works I create, including all reproduction rights and the right to claim statutory copyright. No work may be reproduced, altered, resold, or entered into competitions or exhibits by you or anyone else, without the prior written consent of the artist (Naomi Witzke).
However, I do encourage you to share photos of your new artwork on social media and tag me @naomiwitzke.art ! This helps my business and is greatly appreciated.
Any questions? Please don't hesitate to ask! You can fill out the form on my contact page or send me an email at naomiwitzke.art@gmail.com and I'll be happy to clarify anything for you.
Please note that booking a commission with me indicates your understanding of and agreement to all of the above terms and conditions.