Viewpoints on Commissions

A Different Viewpoint
coloured pencil 4 x 6
copyright Jeanette Jobson

I don't think I've seen a cat with bi-coloured eyes in real life, but its seems to be a fairly common occurance, especially white cats. This image was a nice little exercise in CP to do off and on during the day.

Commission horrors come in many forms. Here are some of mine:

1. Creased, ragged indistinct photos taken against the light so the figure is almost in shadow.
2. Middle aged women who think they are 21 and want their portrait to look that way.
3. Tweakers. Those people who want changes. Over and over and over and over.
4. Last minuters. They want a large portrait. In oil. In two days. Yeah, right.
5. Bargain hunters. They too want a portrait of Mom, Dad, Fido - only the best. But they haggle over price like they're in a market in Marrakesh. Stick with your pricing.
6. No shows. Those charming people who never pick up their paintings. ALWAYS get a 50% deposit.
7. Relatives. Because they are related to you, they believe you should work for free or for flattery. No. Well ok, perhaps a sketch, but no detailed work without payment.

There are lots of problems associated with commissions and also lots of pleasure too. There is a sigh of relief when a piece is handed over to the customer and there are smiles all round with no changes requested and no argument over payment.