Why commissions are important early in an artists career
How does a fine art illustrator take on commissions that are fulfilling, more affordable for customers, and still creative?
Commissioned clothing and accessories!
We’re at kind of a weird place in the art world, where people have to be a bit more intentional with where they’re spending their money so you really want to give some sort of value to your clients and customers. The best way to create value is to turn your art into a bridge for connection - this is where we find the most success as creatives! Can they connect to their friends, to a social media group, connect to themselves? Can your art connect someone to a memory of a passed love one?
The commissions I’ve had have varied, from connection to cultures they’re interested in, childhood adventure spots, religious beliefs, pets, or like the one above, a connection between fashion and art to have their own version of a Kim Kardashian Birkin purse that caused both controversy and discussion on accessories with nudity. Personally, I ADORE the idea.
If you’re still fairly new to the commissions world, you will want to find ways to save time in all processes but the art itself so you can make your early pieces affordable while being paid as reasonable as possible for your time. My biggest help has been Procreate! Using a digital art program to come up with design concepts on the fly allows me to quickly illustrate my idea so we can make sure we’re on the same page and the client gets their best version of the commission.
I’ve mentioned bridges a few times now, and why it’s so important to take on commissions or even be an active member in a fan group is to find out how your art is already that connector between others and their passions or interest. The value of having an item that someone can keep on them to remind them of their favorite singer isn’t just a fan, it is someone’s comfort when alone that they can now keep with them. Someone’s new shoes that have traditional Japanese Oni and Hannya masks aren’t just cool looking, it’s that extra strength to help them work out so they don’t lose sight of their fitness goals. The dog portrait that is designed like the dogs name doesn’t just remind someone of how their dog looks, they wanted the style so it captures the personality they’ll be looking for in every dog moving forward.
For me, art was all about connecting to myself, understanding where I’m at emotionally or finding a way to express that. But it’s so much deeper, and I’m finding so many ways to connect with others through my art these days. Build your name, expand your skills, learn to connect to others through commissions, and you’ll find a beautiful depth with your work.