Commissions: hourly rate or one flat price?

A flat fee makes the most sense to me: I don’t think it is fair to be punished for either taking your time or being super efficient with your time. That calculation should be done on the artists side only. The actual hours of work do not show the full process and the experience that built up the skill used in those hours.

Flat fee

50% upfront and rest on delivery

I inform client how long it takes to show them the results

I never consider my hours. It averages out, in the long run-- a painting can fall together in a few hours for me or take me a week. The buyer just wants the painting!

I use a calculated fee based on medium and PSI (per square inch). I’ve spent time working out my costs per medium, then add my fee to that to come up with a PSI. If a client lowballs me after learning my fee I will pass on the commission, because they are paying for my creativity, skill and expertise not just for materials. Please don’t sell yourselves short just to make a sale - that hurts all artists!

I make a price based on size, materiel and technics. I cant count the hours.

no idea

I embellish a lot of my paintings which can take a lot of time. I also like the idea of flat price so a hybrid version works for me. Also when I mix pour paints I’ll use them on multiple paintings. So my mix time varies with different paintings

I charge a flat fee with a $100 deposit or half upfront , and balance due on presentation. When I am basically finished, I let my customer see the painting, and offer to make any changes within my ability to accomplish that they suggest.

Yes, I like to charge a base price first based on canvas size per square-inch. Then if reference(s) require more details relative to surface area I double the base price in those approximate areas. If an extra amount of hours are needed to reach a hurried deadline or added details requested mid project - that is when I might increase the costs during the process. This rarely happens anyway.

I charge a flat rate that I have established over time based on the relative complexity (time), materials, and size of the canvas required. I ask for 50% up front and final payment on delivery. Another, less frequent, option is a three-payment installment plan. I guarantee a delivery date and we agree upon the diving installment payments with the first third due before I start and the final due upon delivery. The installment option is less frequently used and involves very large pieces.

Yes, I do a flat fee, I do a lot of commission work, and for me it is always a flat fee. I do track my time, and I always come out better with a flat fee. I am a quick painter though. Good luck.

I believe a flat rate because I go back and forth all day long working on my paintings... Some days that's all I do....

@Sadie Webb I guess the right choice would be Flat Fee only?

I’m on my first commission now

Art should not be rushed. Flat fee for me

I don't know how to build a ship to go to the Moon, but I feel capable of it. If someone hires me to do it and pays me by the hour I will do it. It will reach the Moon, but it will be the most costly ship ever built and I will take twenty years to make it. This is the only approach that the so-called artists who also want to charge by the hour should take. Art must be paid for what it is and for the artist's valuation. Not even by its size should it be paid; there are garbage works by the same artist that are 20 feet tall and have taken him two years to paint, and creative marvels of 20 inches that have been done in a weekend.

I’m still learning how to price originals, and the scope-creep point makes sense. If I ever take commissions, clear boundaries for revisions seem just as important as choosing hourly or flat.

I price commissions by size starting between 6 and 7 a square inch for a one of a kind oil paintings, a little lower for watercolor paintings. I will include a gallery frame with purchase, extra for custom framing.

This pricing depends on the size and material and finish framing.

Flat rate for work already finished but hourly for Commissions if client would like changes to work considered finished product

Commissions, I do a flat rate for drawing to size and send them pictures with my progress. Matte and frame is extra or they do their own to match there home decor. I do try and keep track of my hours for fun. My colored pencil auto art is 30- 50 hours.

@Sadie Webb It depends on the type of art and the length of time it take to complete.

Your rate should be based on experience. Charging an hourly rate puts you in the same class as a common laborer. Respect yourself and your profession.

I dont know. Ive never been asked to do comission work I really just paint mostly for the fun of it. Someone did once ask for a painting but it was a scam. Charging hourly does make the most sense as not every painting can take the same amount of time depending on the size subject etc. What is a good base rate how do you calculate that?

Good question about quotes. I am rather at sea about deciding those.

what is scope creep?

I do flat free but I also under price to sell my art