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Post by blythwhimsies on Apr 20, 2017 12:01:19 GMT
Hi everyone
I've just been asked to make my first commission. It's a large-ish flat picture 1m x 1.4m to be mounted on board to be hung on a moving rack which covers the client's TV.
What advice could you share about creating a reasonable contract? I'm hoping they're prepared to pay around £1000 for the piece. I visited them yesterday so we could discuss it and I could see the room it is to go into. Already there are some disagreements between husband and wife about the colour of the sky!! So I thought I would put a piece into our agreement that says I will send them some sample swatches of colours I intend to use and to state that I won't use any other colours without first consulting them and sending an image of said section.
I've also stated that they can't change the specification once we've agreed the colours and I begin dyeing the rest of the wools and silks. I'm also asking for 1/3 payment up front, another 1/3 when I've completed the felting and the final 1/3 after I've done all the machine and hand embroidery and beading and mounted it on board. Does this seem reasonable to you?
Is there anything else you can think of that I need to make sure I've stated clearly before we sign an agreement?
I'm excited and nervous so don't want to jump the gun and find myself with an expensive project for which they're not going to pay! Especially as I hope this is going to cover the cost of a new sewing machine which I'll need to complete the project.
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Post by MTRuth on Apr 20, 2017 17:34:45 GMT
Here's a good website I found from the UK that might help. Lots of information there: www.artquest.org.uk/artlaw-article/commissioning-an-artist/I would discuss price with them now and not "hope" they will agree to your amount. Make sure they will agree to that before you do all the up front work that goes into a commission. I would ask for 50% up front. Then if you are figuring your costs correctly, that should cover the work if for some reason they break the contract and refuse to pay the rest. I have done one commission in the past and it worked out fine. But I have heard of lots of artists having issues. So do research the contract part carefully and get everything signed before you start.
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Post by MTRuth on Apr 20, 2017 17:34:59 GMT
BTW - Congratulations!
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Post by tracey on Apr 20, 2017 18:25:50 GMT
Wow Marian! Thrilled for you! Understandably you are excited and nervous. I really like Ruth's suggestion of 50% up front, get them to make a commitment to you, it works both ways. Have you already suggested the thirds idea to them?
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Post by lyn on Apr 20, 2017 19:53:56 GMT
Congratulations! Ruth's advice is sound.
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Post by Shepherdess on Apr 21, 2017 1:48:33 GMT
Good advice. and yes 50% up front seems to the what is normally done. I think there needs to be something about them accepting it as it is when you say it is finished. You don't want them to start saying well couldn't you add this or that ,more or less silk, more or fewer beads , more stitching etc. When you say it is done it is done. After all it is art and one of a kind.
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Post by blythwhimsies on Apr 21, 2017 11:53:37 GMT
Thanks so much for all your help and the contract template was very helpful Ruth. I've opted for a 50/50 payment and a guide estimate of £20 per hour for my time. And Ann, yes, I've put something in about it being my say so when it's complete, but they can have photographic reports of progress from time to time if they wish. I just hope I can do justice to such a large piece now, scaling up my 'usual' style to something of a 'show stopper!' (his request, not hers)
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Post by MTRuth on Apr 21, 2017 15:08:44 GMT
Good luck and keep us in the loop on your progress! Would love to have you do a post over on the website after your finished talking about how you worked out the commission etc. People are always interested in that kind of story. Let me know if you'd like to do that once you're finished.
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Post by tracey on Apr 21, 2017 17:41:05 GMT
I was just about to say I guess you already know we would love to see what you produce Marian!
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Post by koffipot on Apr 22, 2017 7:20:47 GMT
Congratulations Marian and hope all runs smoothly. Interesting article Ruth and some good advice there.
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Post by jwugg on Apr 23, 2017 5:19:13 GMT
Wow, that's a big exciting project & double Wow that someone is prepared to pay that sort of money! We all dream of such a thing. Perhaps you could make a quick scaled down version of the basic felt, to make sure they like the design?
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Post by tracey on Apr 23, 2017 5:28:52 GMT
Great idea regarding the small sample Jill.
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Post by penguin on Apr 23, 2017 14:11:50 GMT
Fantastic Marion! Can't offer any advice but well done and I hope it all goes well!
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Post by Pandagirl on Apr 23, 2017 14:27:05 GMT
Congratulations Marion!
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Post by blythwhimsies on Apr 27, 2017 20:27:33 GMT
Well they agreed to everything without any quibbles!
I'd be happy to write up an article Ruth - do you mean about the process of getting the commission or of doing it - or both?
I'm just dyeing up some wools and silks to make a 'sampler' so they can see the colours I'm going to be using. Hopefully that will allay any fears from the wife! I'm not a great planner though, preferring to improvise. Apparently there's a name for it in creative writing which is "Pantser" lol
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