How to Commission a Painting for Your Home (Step-by-Step)

You’ve been thinking about it for months. A blank wall in your living room that store-bought prints just can’t fix. A space that deserves something real — something painted by hand, made specifically for your home, your colours, your story.

Commissioning a custom painting feels daunting if you’ve never done it before. Where do you start? How do you describe what you want? What happens if you don’t like it? This guide walks you through every step of the process so you can commission a painting with confidence — and end up with a piece you’ll love for decades.

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What Does It Mean to Commission a Painting?

When you commission a painting, you’re asking an artist to create an original work of art designed specifically for you. Unlike buying a print or a ready-made canvas, a commission is a collaboration. You bring the space, the vision, the feeling you want to capture. The artist brings the skill, the materials, and the creative interpretation that transforms your ideas into something real.

Commissions can range from portraits and landscapes to abstract pieces designed to anchor a room’s colour palette. They can be intimate and personal — a family home, a view from your terrace — or purely decorative, created to complement the architecture and aesthetic of a luxury interior.

The result is a one-of-a-kind artwork. There is no second copy.

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Step 1: Define the Purpose and the Space

Before you contact an artist, spend a few minutes thinking about the wall. Seriously — go stand in front of it.

Ask yourself:

• What size feels right? A single large canvas, or something more intimate?
• What mood does the room need? Calm and airy? Bold and dramatic? Warm and organic?
• Is the artwork the centrepiece of the room, or is it part of a larger interior scheme?
• Are there colours in the space — furniture, rugs, soft furnishings — that the painting should echo or contrast?

Write these observations down. Even a rough description like “I want something that feels like late afternoon light, warm but not heavy, with movement” gives an artist enormous creative direction to work with.

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Step 2: Find the Right Artist for Your Vision

Not every artist is the right fit for every commission. Style matters enormously.

Look at an artist’s existing portfolio carefully. Do their colours feel right for your space? Does their brushwork — loose and expressive, or precise and controlled — match the energy you want on your wall?

Beyond style, look for an artist who:

• Has clear experience with commission work, not just studio pieces
• Communicates professionally and responds promptly
• Is transparent about pricing, timelines, and their process
• Shows examples of previous commissions alongside original studio work

A good commissioned painting relationship is built on trust. You’re investing seriously — and the artist should take that seriously too.

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Step 3: Make Contact and Share Your Brief

Once you’ve found an artist whose work speaks to you, reach out. Your initial message doesn’t need to be perfect. Share:

• The size you have in mind (even an approximate idea — “roughly 100×80 cm” is enough to start)
• The room and how the painting will be used
• Any reference images — interiors you love, colours you’re drawn to, artworks that capture a mood
• Your approximate budget range
• Your timeline, if you have one

A good artist will come back to you with questions. This back-and-forth is normal and valuable — the more clearly you can communicate your vision, the better the outcome.

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Step 4: Agree the Scope, Price, and Timeline

Before any paint touches canvas, you and the artist should agree on the key terms in writing.

Size and medium. Oil on canvas, acrylic, mixed media — and the exact dimensions. These affect both price and the final character of the work.

Price and payment structure. Most artists require a deposit of 30–50% upfront to begin work, with the remainder due on completion or before shipping. This is standard practice, not a red flag.

Timeline. Depending on the complexity of the work and the artist’s current schedule, commissions typically take between four and twelve weeks.

Revision policy. Most artists will share a work-in-progress photograph at a midpoint so you can give input before the painting is finalised.

Delivery. Will the painting be shipped or collected? How is it packaged and insured for transit?

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Step 5: Stay Involved During the Process

A professional artist will typically share:

• Early sketches or compositional studies for approval
• A work-in-progress photograph at a meaningful stage
• A final photograph before the work ships

This is your opportunity to give feedback. Be honest but constructive. If something doesn’t feel right at the mid-point stage, say so clearly — it’s far easier to adjust an unfinished painting than a completed one.

That said, trust the process. You commissioned an artist because of their specific vision and skill. Leave space for their interpretation to surprise you.

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Step 6: Receive, Install, and Live With It

When your painting arrives, inspect it carefully before signing off on delivery. Allow the canvas time to acclimatise to your home environment before hanging — especially important in dry or humid climates.

Think carefully about placement. Original oil and acrylic paintings should not be hung in direct sunlight, near heat sources, or in rooms with high humidity. A well-cared-for canvas painting can last centuries.

And then — live with it. The mark of a truly successful commission is that it gets better the longer it’s on your wall.

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How Much Does It Cost to Commission a Painting?

The short answer: it varies significantly depending on the size, complexity, artist experience, and medium.

As a general guide:

• A smaller original work (40×50 cm) from a professional artist typically starts around €800–€1,500
• Medium canvases (80×100 cm) from an established artist range from €2,000–€6,000
• Large statement pieces for luxury interiors commonly range from €5,000 upward

If you see commissions advertised far below these figures, ask questions. Extremely low prices usually reflect inexperienced artists, very fast production, or materials that won’t stand the test of time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I commission a painting if I don’t know exactly what I want?

Yes — and in fact, the best commissions often begin with a feeling rather than a fully-formed brief. Bring references: interior photographs, colours you love, artworks that move you. A good artist will help you find the direction from there. You don’t need to arrive with a precise vision — you need to arrive with openness and a few honest observations about your space.

What if I don’t like the finished painting?

This is the concern most people have before commissioning for the first time, and it almost never materialises when the process is handled well. A professional artist builds in feedback stages specifically to prevent this. If you stay engaged during the process — sharing input at the work-in-progress stage — the finished painting should feel like a natural arrival point, not a surprise.

How long does it take to commission a painting?

Most commissions take between four and twelve weeks from the start of work, depending on the complexity and the artist’s schedule. Allow additional time at the outset for the initial consultation and agreement stage. If you have a specific deadline, communicate this clearly when you first make contact.

Is a commissioned painting worth more than a print?

A commissioned original painting is a unique artwork — there is no other copy in the world. Over time, originals from established artists appreciate in value. More immediately, they carry a presence, texture, and quality of light that no print can replicate. The question isn’t really whether it’s worth more. The question is what you want on your wall.

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Marta Ellie is a Polish-born artist based in Málaga, Spain, with over 20 years of experience creating original works for private collectors and luxury interiors across Europe. Her commissions range from intimate personal pieces to large-scale canvases for villas and high-end residential projects on the Costa del Sol.

Every commission begins with a conversation. If you have a space in mind — and a feeling you want to capture — get in touch here.

→ Enquire About a Commission

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