You’ve been sent this secret little link because it has information for clients who may not be familiar with art or commissions!
So why that price?
I set my prices at the mid-range of current market prices. Some things I consider when I set these prices:
My experience and education: I have a professional post-grad education in my niche and 5 years of experience as a working illustrator, painter, and cartoonist. I am represented by an agency and am signed with a large, well-known publisher.
High-quality materials: For physical work like paintings, I always use high-quality, archival material from reputable suppliers. Your art will last a long time without deteriorating. If it’s mailed to you, it is sent with insurance and premium packaging to prevent damage. When working digitally, I use a complex, high-quality paid art program on premium technology I have formal training in.
The size and scope of your project: If your work is something like a pet painting or wedding invitations, your price will be mainly set based on the product, which means the quantity of what I’m producing and the size, as well as if it is physical or digital. This is in part because these things affect the amount of materials I will use up and have to replace. Larger, commercial products will be higher priced, particularly based on your planned scope of redistribution. If my product is going to bring your company revenue, that is worth more to you, therefore you will receive a higher quote!
I am always transparent about my pricing and will never choose to price something based on my client’s range of knowledge. You can always fact check my pricing based on current market rates. I use Loomrate to check current rates. I do recommend clients not check Etsy for price comparison (see below).
With me, pricing can always be a good-faith discussion — humans who want art will always have varying incomes, situations, and comfort levels.
I see a similar product on Etsy for much cheaper. Why you?
While Etsy began as a reliable marketplace, it has recently become much less accurate. Many sellers on Etsy compete on price, undercharging for their labor, materials, and time — they are incentivized to lower prices which increases sales and therefore views via the Etsy algorithm. Many will often use AI and print-on-demand, cheap material or other workarounds to account for this lower pricing. While that is not by any means a descriptor of all Etsy sellers, it is unfortunately a popular trend to use AI for faster production and Etsy has limited, unclear rules against this. Additionally, Etsy charges transaction and listing fees, so your money is not going 100% to the seller. Here are some interesting videos I like on why Etsy is no longer a place I choose to sell or shop: “What Is Going on at Etsy” by SustainableJungle and “Etsy Was Great…Until It Wasn’t”.
Wood panel vs. canvas?
This is largely a matter of how you want to display the work. Heavier wood panels may require more hardware, but canvas can be hung with a few command hooks. Wood panels will be more expensive to ship as they are heavier, but they also have a smooth, sleek appearance and are extremely durable. Canvas is very light but can be a bit more flexible/flimsy in the center. Both are archival (meaning long-lasting and free of harsh chemicals) and used by many professional artists.
Here is a bit more of a quick run-down:
Panels: Very rigid and smooth - it’s literally just a slab of wood. Highly durable and resistant to warping and environmental factors like humidity. From an artist’s perspective, I prefer these for smaller work because a smoother surface means I can focus on smaller details.
Canvas: A thick, stiff fabric stretched across a wooden frame. While generally long-lasting, it may sag or puncture over time. Because canvas is textured, some smaller elements can be a little fuzzier. For this reason, I prefer canvas primarily for larger works.
I always pick museum-quality across my materials, which means it whatever you get will be long-lasting (archival), sturdy, and meant for display. I purchase my panels and canvases through Blick, a brand well-known for its reliable, high-quality offerings. Before I start, I sand the surface and apply a material called gesso, which primes the surface to hold paint.
What is a high-resolution digital file? Why would I want one?
A high-resolution digital file is great particularly for keepsake pieces of loved ones or pets. On the one hand, it is a form of insurance to help you replace the piece if lost, as a file can be sent to companies like Shutterfly to be printed on a canvas. You can also use the file to print holiday cards, or send copies as gifts to family members and friends. You can explore more options for types of keepsakes you can order with your digital file.
Bonus question: Why couldn’t I just snap a photo of my piece and do this myself?
Great question! For what it’s worth, I do love a workaround. And of course, you are welcome to do that! But a high-res file is prepared with specific technique and care. It is photographed or scanned at the highest quality, but this does not always result in accurate colors or consistent lighting. I hand-edit your file to be sure it matches exactly what I painted, and that the colors will reprint accurately.
What does a rush fee cover?
It’s pretty self-explanatory — a rush fee is for someone who needs their product sooner. Paying a rush fee moves your request to the front of my queue and moves other projects lower in the priority list.
I offer rush fees as a percentage of your regular price, which allows for the rush fee to be proportional to the amount of work I am doing.
For me, a rush fee also means that I may turn down shifts at my part-time retail job and perhaps work longer hours in a day, so my longer days and less income from my job need to be covered. It’s sort of like paying overtime.
Ready-to-hang hardware?
If you’re ordering a physical art piece, particularly a painting, I may offer ready-to-hang hardware as an add-on. For full transparency, this is mainly for your convenience. I will not be providing anything you can’t get at your local Home Depot, I’ll just go get it for you and send it to you. • ᴗ <
How do I credit you?
You may be sent a business card or flyer, which you can always bring to your workplace or give to friends. But really, word-of-mouth is the best marketing I have! My website and social handle are the same (theokstevens) and you can always send people there. If you have a personal project, there’s no need for any gallery plaques - my signature on the front or back of your work is my credit. If you have a professional project, credit will be negotiated in your contract, but typically will involve a printed attribution.
Why do I have to sign a contract? I’m your second cousin once removed!
The short of it is: contracts protect both of us! It primarily makes sure I get paid, your money is secure, and that you receive the product you pay for.
My personal/individual contracts are very simple and intended to be an agreement both of us understand, not an overwhelming chunk of legalese. You’ll mainly be agreeing to not redistribute without my permission and to pay me as we agree. I’ll agree to deliver your product and keep any personal and financial information safe, as well as transfer via a secure platform.
My commercial contracts will be more extensive and cover things like usage rights, credit, copyright, and AI training. You may also have a contract or tax form for me to sign, depending on the size of your company. We’ll discuss this more based on your needs.
For both contracts, it will also often cover edits or adjustments to your piece, allowing you to give notes which I use to edit the piece exactly to your liking.
(This section does not represent formal legal advice.)
Is it standard to pay some of the cost up front and some when my art is finished?
Yes, it is! This is security for both of us — and is part of why we sign the contract, too. A deposit is part of the total cost you pay up front (for me, it’s usually 50% up front) to secure your spot in my workflow. It also helps me cover any materials, as well as the labor that’s about to go into the work. It also will cover edits and adjustments to your piece! If you have questions about exact percentages up front I am happy to discuss these with you one-on-one.
