Art Commissions Ultimate Guide For Beginners ~ 5 Steps to Make Money Selling Your Custom Artwork

Hi Art Friends! Are you an artist dreaming about breaking into the exciting world of art commissions? Yay! You are in the right place! Today I will show you the 5 steps for how to earn money as a commissioned artist selling your artwork to clients whether you are a digital creator or you make traditional artwork.
I will take you step by step in how to set up an art commission business and show you how to take art commissions, how to work with art commission clients (even the tricky ones!) , what to look for and what to avoid, and best practices with important Do's and Don'ts and lessons learned from art experts. I will show you how to send your digital file or traditional art to your client.
You can start taking art commisions and earning money as a commissioned artist today!
Welcome to the Artist Life Podcast with Dena Tollefson. I am so glad you are here today! I am here to help guide you as the artist through the process of commissioning your artwork to a client and make the whole process as stress free as possible. I have an art contract you can use in your own art commission business here in the description
Join the Dena Tollefson Art Club on Patreon! Learn more here / denatollefson
Below is the sample contract I use. Feel free to copy, modify and paste this for your own use
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Tollefson’s Sample Contract for Original Artwork
This agreement between ____(insert client name)____ the client
and _______(insert artist’s name) ______the artist
to create an original, one of a kind commissioned (insert name type artwork here- painting, sculpture, drawing, quilt, etc) specifically for the client. Artwork subject will be (insert subject and colors here) and will be constructed with (insert dimensions, materials, indicate whether framed or unframed here or digital only here ) Expected completion date is (insert completion date. Include curing/drying time in this date). Artwork will be sent to client via ( insert method shipped insured with delivery signature required, sent as a digital link for digital work, sent via UPS ground, via DHL, via post, customer to pick up, artist to ship to gallery, client pick up, artist ships to client after payment made to gallery,etc) 5 days after payment is received via PayPal (or received via the art gallery)
**Optional Client to provide (insert colors/photos etc) to artist by (date) in order to stay on schedule.
**Optional Artist will make every attempt to (insert condition here- approval, progress report, likeness of subject, etc) and client can select (insert condition here you will accept) Additional information ( insert here)
A. Artwork price +(Framing + Shipping if applicable or digital file) ___________
B. Taxes and VAT if applicable = _____________
Total Cost A + B _____________
Down payment _____________
Remaining Balance _____________
Artist Name _______________________
Artist’s Email _____________________
Artist’s mailing address (optional) __________________
Artist’s signature & Date _____________________
Client Name(s) _______________________
Client’s Email _____________________
Client’s mailing address (needed to ship physical work) _________________ Client signature & Date ____________________
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I am an American artist whose bold contemporary paintings focus on joyful use of color, texture and movement, creating a low relief effect in paint. Two of my paintings are in the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art's permanent collection. My originals and commissioned work are available exclusively through the fine art galleries across the US who represent my original and commissioned work.
Are you a beginner artist who would like to market your artwork? Or have you been an artist for a long time and are ready to take the next step with your art career? I am here to help. I provide you art marketing and art career guidance for artists who would like to have gallery representation, if you need help with juried exhibits, or if you want to increase your social media reach. I help you get started in art licensing, where you license your artwork to create merch. In addition to helping you with art career coaching,
I have videos for you about how to paint, painting tips and techniques, art supply unboxings, and fun and engaging Live streams.
Looking to find the art supplies I am using? Find my art supplies here www.amazon.com...
As an Amazon Influencer, I receive compensation at no additional cost to you.
My Equipment used in today's video:
Camera Nikon D850 and lens www.amazon.com...
Daylight LED Light www.amazon.com...
Be sure to subscribe to my KZbin channel
Find the list of galleries and licensed merchandise here www.denatollef...
#artcommission #sellingart #artwork #art #artsales #artselling

[@DenaTollefson]

Hi Art Friends! Watch this next kzbin.info/aero/PLPyeuYhzjH1fJPNpbc7euoN0BD5914ALX

[@cinnie2543]

Amazing information. I've been into art my whole life. At 72 I've decided to try sell some. Your posts are very helpful.

[@AishusCraftyKidsClub]

Thumbs up 3 Dena dear 😊. So happy face and your excitement level is on the higher side which I ❤

[@DenaTollefson]

Thank you so much, dear Aishu!

[@AishusCraftyKidsClub]

@@DenaTollefson You are always welcome Dena dear

[@billtollefson9930]

Excellent video, Dena! Great topic of art commissions 😀

[@DenaTollefson]

Thank you Bill!! I appreciate you!!!!💌

[@DesignsbyCADPRO]

I love these kind of videos, Dena!! Always great to know what to do and what to don't

[@DenaTollefson]

Hi Tim!!! Thank you so much- I appreciate you my friend 🤩

[@RickJBerubeArtStudio]

Great advice Dena! You are so organized and well spoken. I love your ideas and your artwork as well. You have it all! Thank you for your contribution to all artists. It has been of great help to me and others. God bless!

[@DenaTollefson]

Rick thank you so much!!!! God's blessings to you my friend

[@rtcolorgamut1608]

What an interesting and beautiful Take Art Commissions. Like 25

[@DenaTollefson]

Thank you so much! I appreciate you!

[@deborahartworks]

This is valuable information Dena. This is useful for anyone looking for ways of selling art. Commissions are good but sometimes daunting too. Whenever I do one I get nervous if it comes up to the client's expectations. Thank God, those few commissions I did went well and I got my payment. I always like these question and answer program you do. I look them up again for information like those you did in the past. Thank you very much Dena.

[@DenaTollefson]

Hi Deborah!! Thank you so much for your wonderful comment!! Oh my goodness yes, commissions are good but sometimes daunting too- I totally agree!! Sometimes they push us outside of our comfort zone which can be good but feels unsettling. It is funny, the commissions where I feel the most uncomfortable, I usually end up liking the most at the end because I have pushed myself to use a new set of colors or do a new subject the client is looking for. God bless you Deborah my friend!!

[@abwatercolor]

Denna you have created such a capacious and helpful video! Thank you for such hard work and for sharing your experience, it's very valuable. 😊

[@DenaTollefson]

Aliya thank you very much!! I appreciate you!

[@rhemasartspace]

I am considering making commissions and I find your video helpful, Dena. Thank you for sharing this 🤩 My neice is also doing commissions and she would always review or make adjustments to her contract before opening for commissions. She told me Twitter is the easiest platform for her compared to Discord, but I guess it still depends which social media platform works for the artist.

[@DenaTollefson]

Wonderful! I think you will do very well making commissioned artwork, dear Rhema! Yes, finding that social media platform your audience is on is key. Hugs to you Rhema and your neice!

[@Natali.117]

Thanks Dena! You are incredible as always )) Thank you so much for such valuable information

[@DenaTollefson]

Lukas thank you so much. Big hugs to you my friend!! P.S. I am super excited to see what you will create for the art challenge!!!

[@cindymartel5603]

Wonderful video. Thank you.

[@Davy.J.Y]

Hello Dena, this was a very informative video. Big like from me !

[@DenaTollefson]

Hi Davy!!! Thank you so much!!! Take care and I am so excited to see your Flower Power Art Challenge video!

[@HeemaArt]

Hi Dena, very inspiring and informative tips. You always brought amazing thoughtful subjects to discuss for artist community. Thanks for sharing these videos and your hard works behind the scene. Hugs 🥰❤

[@DenaTollefson]

Thank you Heema for saying this. I appreciate your kind words. Big hugs to you my friend

[@TheMilitaryArtist1918]

Excellent video Dena 😁

[@DenaTollefson]

Hi Jonny! Thank you so much my friend!! Hugs to you 🤗

[@TheMilitaryArtist1918]

@@DenaTollefson 😁😁😁

[@LiamBMP]

This is great 👍

[@DenaTollefson]

Thank you so much, Liam! I appreciate you!

[@LiamBMP]

@@DenaTollefson You’re welcome :)

[@peggyhildreth4070]

How do we find the places to sell.?

[@DenaTollefson]

Hi Peggy! Excellent question - this would make a fabulous follow up video! For now, I would recommend focusing on posting your work on social media and letting the public know you do commissions. Here is a video which may be helpful for gallery representation kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXSmh4mCi5aklZY

[@ritaputatunda]

Hi Dena, This is such an in-depth, informative video for us artists.. I am saving it, to refer to it, as and when I need it.. Thank you so much for these videos.. they are so helpful.. Have a lovely day, dear Dena

[@DenaTollefson]

Thank you dear Rita!! I appreciate your kind words. I just watched your Bird of Paradise video- wow so beautiful!

[@ritaputatunda]

@@DenaTollefson You're welcome, dear Dena.. And thank you as well..