[Gareth Craven]

Hi everyone!

I'm starting a company and I need help learning about the clients that usually commission artists for art.

The website for the company acts as a online art commission platform for people and artists artists to meet and create art. So basically for artists we help you easily find art commission opportunities in a supporting environment for freelance artistry and creativity.

It's going pretty well so far but as I said before I need help to learn about the clients that artists usually work with. If you're an artist that works with art commissions can you tell me anything about the clients that you usually work with?

For example, what kind of art is it, how do you earn on average, common professions (Their jobs), where they're based and what's the artwork for (Business, community, personal etc.). Just anything you can tell me is helpful really though

 

[chanda95]

I am not a professional and don't market my work. I get customers basically from the work I do for others. They see what I do and they approach me. A majority of my customer base is people who want drawings done of people or animals that mean something to them. They come from a wide variety of income levels and locations. I have sold pictures to people in Canada, Mississippi, Alabama, Arizona, New York, Michigan..the list goes on. I am based out of New Mexico. There are no common trends among my clients other than the pieces I draw are meaningful to them.

 

[cjm1972]

Hi Gareth,
Not being a professional artist, I only occasionally get commissioned to do work.
Friends, family & sometimes complete strangers will ask me to do portrait for them.

Prices for Portraits
One subject
A4: £85 A3: £130

Two subjects
A4: £130 A3: £180

Three subjects
A4 NA A3: £230

Four subjects
A4 NA A3: £280


All type of customers will ask, usually for drawing of a loved one, but sometimes for something completely different.
I actually prefer to draw portraits I like and then hope that someone will want to buy it. (No pressure or time constraints).

I Live and work in London UK, Although I have had customers ask me for drawings from all around the world.

I hope this helps.

 

[Gareth Craven]

Thanks chanda95 and cjm1972, you've actually given me a lot to go on. Even confirmed a few things for me too which is brilliant!

chana95, do you by any chance get a lot more family and pet portraits than individuals? I know this kind of art of really popular in America and I have a bit of an assumption families and pets are more common

cjm1972, got to compliment you on your clear pricing guide! I haven't seen many artists that have done this, mainly because it can be so difficult to do so, so well done! Do you by any chance not get a lot of UK based customers for portraits who are strangers?

Again, thanks!

 

[chanda95]

Yes. Most of my work is family and pets. Actually a lot of my customers are horse owners so often I draw pictures of people with their horses or of just the horses themselves. I just got done doing a drawing of a customer's horse and she asked me to do another one for her daughter's trainer. I have done a couple of dogs for people and I have done quite a few portraits. Now that I think about it..the only individual portraits I have done have been ones where the person has her horse drawn in with her.

 

[Gareth Craven]

Oh my god you draw horses? Lucky, they're such beautiful animals. Thanks for the extra help, I won't bug you with anymore questions about it. ^_^

What's it like to create something that's going to mean so much to someone? (This isn't anything for me to learn from, I just love getting to know the lives of artists)

 

[chanda95]

LOL. Yes I do draw horses. They are actually my favorite subject to draw!

Honestly..I can't just draw to draw. Even for myself I have to draw something that means something to me. I have never been a person who enjoys drawing day to day things such as a pencil or a vase or a landscape. I don't feel my work is any good when I do that. When I draw I want it to mean something to somebody (whether it's me, my family or my client). When I do something for somebody else, and I know it is important to them, I think my work is better. I push myself harder to do a better job because I know what the drawing will mean. It feels very very good knowing that they are happy with it. That's why I do it. I involve them the entire way because ultimately it is THEIR drawing. They are the ones who will have to look at in on their wall (not me). Their happiness is of utmost importance. If your client isn't happy you won't get any more business.

 

[cjm1972]

cjm1972, got to compliment you on your clear pricing guide! I haven't seen many artists that have done this, mainly because it can be so difficult to do so, so well done! Do you by any chance not get a lot of UK based customers for portraits who are strangers?

For the price guide I tried to work out the minimum price for which I am willing to part with a drawing, based on how long they take.

Not many strangers, mostly friends and family.

 

[chanda95]

Not many strangers, mostly friends and family.

Me as well. Most of the people who ask me to do drawings for them are people I know and that makes it so much more important for me to do good work for them.