Commission terms

A commission is a painting made specially for you, to a brief we agree together. These terms explain how it works. My Terms of sale also apply, except where these terms say otherwise.

1. Agreeing the commission

1. You send me your idea, with any reference photos.
2. I reply with a rough sketch or description, the size, the medium, a fixed price and an estimated completion date. This quote is free and there’s no obligation.
3. The commission is confirmed when you accept the quote in writing (an email is fine) and pay the deposit.

Anything we agree by email about the brief forms part of our agreement.

2. Price and payment

• The price in your quote is fixed. It won’t change unless you ask for changes to the brief (see section 4).
• A deposit of [GAP: percentage, e.g. 30]% is due to confirm the commission and book your place in my schedule.
• The balance is due when the painting is finished. I’ll send photos first so you can see it before you pay. The painting is dispatched once the balance has been paid.
• Delivery is [GAP: e.g. “included within the UK” or “charged at cost and shown in your quote”].

3. Timescales

Most commissions take [GAP: e.g. “3 to 6”] weeks once confirmed. Your quote will give an estimated date. I’ll send progress photos along the way and keep you updated if anything changes. If you need it by a particular date, such as a birthday, please tell me before you confirm and I’ll say honestly whether it’s possible.

4. Changes

• At the sketch stage, you can ask for up to [GAP: number, e.g. 2] rounds of changes to the composition at no extra cost.
• Once I’ve started painting, small adjustments are usually possible. Bigger changes, such as a different composition, size or subject, may need a new quote.

5. Artistic interpretation

A commission is my painterly interpretation of your brief, not a photographic copy. I’ll follow what we agree as closely as I can, but brushwork, colour and detail will reflect my style, the same as the work you’ve seen on this website. Please only commission me if you’re happy with that.

6. Cancelling a commission

Because a commission is made to your specifications, the usual 14-day right to cancel online purchases doesn’t apply. You can still cancel at any time by emailing me. What happens depends on how far I’ve got:

• Before I start work: I’ll refund your deposit [GAP: choose one. “in full” OR “minus £[amount] to cover my time on your sketch and quote”].
• After I’ve started painting: the deposit is non-refundable, because it covers the time and materials already spent on a piece that can’t be sold to anyone else. If you’ve paid more than the deposit, I’ll refund anything above a fair amount for the work done so far.
• Once the painting is finished: the full price is payable.

If I can’t complete your commission for any reason, such as illness, I’ll tell you as soon as possible and refund everything you’ve paid.

7. If something’s wrong

Commissioned work must still match what we agreed and be of satisfactory quality, and you keep all your legal rights if it isn’t. Damage in transit is handled the same way as any other order (see my Delivery & returns policy).

8. Reference photos and privacy

• By sending me photos, you confirm you have the right to use them for this purpose. For example, they’re your own photos, or you have permission from whoever took them.
• I use your photos only to create your painting, and won’t share them.
• I keep the copyright in the finished painting (see section 9 of my Terms of sale). I’d love to share commissions on my website and social media, but if your painting shows people, a house or anything personal, I’ll ask you first, and won’t share it if you’d rather I didn’t.