Published February 24, 2026 · 13 min read
A commissioned painting is created specifically for you. It is built around your space, your colors, your energy, and your vision. Unlike buying from a gallery, where you choose from existing work, a commission gives you a painting that exists nowhere else in the world — one that was made with your wall, your room, and your life in mind.
Commissioning art might sound like something reserved for the wealthy or the art-world elite. It is not. Independent artists work on commissions at every price point, and the process is more straightforward than you might expect. This guide walks you through every step, from finding the right artist to hanging the finished piece.
There are several compelling reasons to commission rather than buy existing work:
The most important decision in commissioning a painting is choosing the right artist. Here is how to find your match:
Browse the artist’s portfolio thoroughly. A commission should be an extension of the artist’s established style, not a departure from it. If you love an artist’s bold, textured, mixed media work, commission them to create more of that. Do not ask a color field painter to create gestural expressionism — you will both be frustrated.
A strong portfolio shows both consistency (a recognizable voice and vision) and range (the ability to work across sizes, palettes, and moods). An artist who has created compelling work in various formats will adapt well to your specific requirements.
Many artists share process videos, studio tours, and works-in-progress on social media. These give you insight into how they work and what the commission experience will feel like. An artist who communicates openly about their process will communicate openly during your commission.
If the artist has completed commissions before, look for testimonials or reviews from previous clients. Past commission success is the strongest predictor of future commission success.
Reach out before committing. A brief conversation will tell you whether the artist understands your vision, communicates well, and feels like a good fit. Chemistry matters — you are entering a creative collaboration.
While every artist has their own workflow, most abstract painting commissions follow a similar arc:
You share your vision: the space where the painting will hang (photos help enormously), preferred dimensions, color palette, mood/energy, and any specific references or inspirations. The artist asks questions to understand what you are looking for and whether the project is a good fit for their practice.
The artist provides a proposal that includes the scope (size, materials, estimated completion date), price, payment terms, and revision policy. Both parties agree before work begins. Most artists require a deposit (typically 50%) to secure the commission and cover material costs.
The artist creates the work. Many artists share progress photos during the process so you can see the painting evolve. Abstract commissions require trust in the artist’s creative process — the best results come when the artist has room to follow the painting where it leads, guided by your brief but not constrained by it.
The artist shares the completed (or near-completed) work for your review. Most commission agreements include one round of minor revisions. For abstract work, revisions might include adjusting color intensity, adding or reducing texture in certain areas, or refining the balance of the composition.
Once approved, the artist applies a protective varnish, allows proper curing time, and carefully packages the painting for shipping or local pickup. The remaining balance is due before or upon delivery. You receive the painting along with a certificate of authenticity.
Commission pricing varies by artist, size, complexity, and materials. Here is a general framework for abstract painting commissions:
| Size | Emerging Artist | Mid-Career Artist | Established Artist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (up to 24") | $300 – $800 | $800 – $2,500 | $2,500 – $8,000 |
| Medium (24" – 48") | $800 – $2,000 | $2,500 – $6,000 | $8,000 – $25,000 |
| Large (48" – 72") | $2,000 – $4,000 | $6,000 – $15,000 | $25,000 – $75,000+ |
| Oversized (72"+) | $4,000 – $8,000 | $15,000 – $35,000 | $75,000+ |
These are approximate ranges. The actual price depends on multiple factors:
Commissions from emerging artists offer the best value in the art market. You get a custom, one-of-a-kind original from a talented artist at a fraction of what you would pay at a gallery for existing work by a mid-career or established name. And if the artist’s career develops, your early commission becomes increasingly valuable.
The quality of your commission starts with the quality of your brief. A good creative brief gives the artist clear direction while leaving room for creative freedom. Here is what to include:
Share photos of the room and the specific wall where the painting will hang. Include measurements of the available wall space. Note the lighting (natural vs. artificial, warm vs. cool). Mention any dominant colors in the room (flooring, furniture, curtains) that the painting should complement or contrast.
Specify your preferred dimensions (or range) and whether you want landscape (horizontal), portrait (vertical), or square orientation. If you are unsure, tape paper to the wall to visualize different sizes before deciding.
Provide specific colors you want included, excluded, or emphasized. Photos, paint swatches, or links to reference images are more useful than color names (what you call "teal" might be what the artist calls "turquoise"). Mention whether you want a warm, cool, or neutral palette overall.
Abstract art communicates through feeling, so describing the mood you want is essential. Is it calm and contemplative? Energetic and explosive? Moody and atmospheric? Words like "serene," "bold," "turbulent," "warm," "minimal," or "dense" help the artist calibrate the work’s emotional register.
Share images of the artist’s existing work that you love, or other paintings/photos that capture the feeling you are looking for. References are guides, not blueprints — the artist will interpret them through their own vision.
Do not micromanage the creative process. Avoid instructions like "put a red splash in the upper right corner" or "make it look exactly like this other painting." Trust the artist’s expertise. The most successful commissions give clear direction on the feeling and leave the execution to the professional.
A typical abstract painting commission takes 3–8 weeks from deposit to delivery. Here is a general breakdown:
Larger and more complex works may take longer. Multi-panel pieces, oversized canvases, and heavily textured mixed media work all require additional time. Discuss timeline expectations upfront and build in buffer for the unexpected — art is not a factory process, and the best results often come when the artist is not rushed.
Commission pitfalls to watch for:
Be wary of artists who: refuse to provide references from previous commission clients, will not put the agreement in writing, demand full payment upfront (a 50% deposit is standard), or promise unrealistically fast turnaround times. A professional commission process is transparent, documented, and structured.
SpunkArt accepts commissions for custom abstract paintings in acrylic, mixed media, and spray paint. Every commission is a collaboration — you bring the vision and the space, SpunkArt brings the bold color, raw expression, and mixed media expertise that defines the work.
SpunkArt commissions start at $400 for small pieces and scale based on size and complexity. Every painting is created with archival-quality materials on professional-grade canvas, built to last for generations.
Ready for a custom abstract painting created specifically for your space? Reach out to start the conversation.
View SpunkArt’s Work Contact on XA commissioned painting is one of the most personal and meaningful things you can own. It is art made for you, with you, in a size and palette designed for your specific space. The result is a one-of-a-kind work that no gallery visit can replicate.
For more art resources, explore our beginner’s guide to abstract art, tips on starting an art collection, or free creative tools at spunk.codes.