Do you use a contract for commissions?

Yes, definitely get it in writing: scope, schedule, budget and how many revisions on your draft concept to get their buy-in. And of course a deposit (e.g. 50%) up front.

Honestly, most of the friction I've run into wasn't from bad people. It was from unclear expectations on both sides. Someone asks for a photo of their grandmother's lamp collection, I deliver something moody and warm, and they wanted bright catalog lighting. Nobody was wrong, we just never spelled it out. A simple agreement, even half a page, would have saved that conversation. And I'd add: whatever you write up now, expect to revise it. I've tweaked mine a few times as I've shifted what I offer. The contract grows with the work. For something small and personal like your watercolors, even a short email confirming scope, timeline, and payment terms counts. It doesn't have to feel corporate to protect both of you.

I agree with everyone, they are all contributing very useful information about contracts.

No shame in contracts. I think of them as sharing promises: I do this, you pay that. Only it's in writing. Not a question of mistrusting or anything, but clarity. Even if it's a single email or text: 'OK: I make you A2 print of XYZ when you pay $YYY.' As for how detailed: scale up with price is the sensible way.

One thing worth thinking about, even for smaller commissions: make sure your contract covers how the finished piece can be used beyond the original sale. If you paint someone's doorway in Lisbon and later want to sell prints of it, or use it in your portfolio or marketing, you want that spelled out from the start. I've had to think through similar things with architectural photos where a building owner might have opinions about commercial use. A single clause covering usage rights for both parties saves a lot of awkward conversations later. Doesn't need to be complicated, just clear.

As a former attorney I must say ..... YES! If their is going to be an expectation of any performance on any party and money is involved then it must be in some form of writing prior to the performance. This just eliminates future problems and misunderstandings. I can't see shooting a wedding without a contract as a wedding is just full of problems and misunderstandings. You are really lucky that you didn't run into any issues.

@Human-Made Art

I have never done commissions, and I don't think I will. I heard that for commissions, it will be a great idea to use a contract and collect at least 30% non-refundable down payment. People usually tend to back out after they order the commission. I think that is one of the reasons I'm not interested in commissions. That's just my opinion.

Hey! The fact that you're thinking about this NOW, before a custom piece goes sideways, is the whole point. Most artists don't ask until after a misunderstanding costs them a relationship or a paycheck.

And no, it doesn't need to feel like a legal negotiation at a café table. For small custom watercolors and gouache pieces, your "contract" can be a simple email confirmation that covers five things:

- What you're making (subject, size, medium, and whether the reference photo or description is attached so there's no "I thought it would be bigger" moment later).

- Price and payment terms. 50% deposit before you start, balance due before shipping or handoff. This one alone would have saved countless artists from doing finished work for buyers who vanish.

- Revision policy. One round of minor adjustments included, additional revisions at $X. Without this line, "can you just move the tree a little" turns into six repaintings.

- Timeline. "Estimated completion 3 to 4 weeks from deposit" protects you from "where's my painting?" texts on day five.

- What happens if either side cancels. Deposit is non-refundable after work begins, full refund if you cancel before starting. Clean and fair.

You don't need a lawyer for this. Type it up in a Google Doc, send it as an email before you start, and ask them to reply "looks good" or "confirmed." That reply IS your agreement. It takes ten minutes to set up once and you reuse it every time.

The irony is that the contract actually makes the experience MORE personal, not less. The buyer feels taken care of because you clearly do this professionally, and you feel free to focus on the painting instead of worrying about what was promised.

Want me to draft a commission agreement template based on your watercolor and gouache work?

Other resources you might find helpful:

- First time pricing a custom commission piece — Three concrete methods for pricing custom commissions: per-square-inch rates with separate line items, hourly estimation multiplied by acceptable rate, and value-based pricing acknowledging client exclusivity.

- Adding a low-price entry point to commissions — smart or risky? — Real experiences with low-price commission entry points show they rarely convert to higher-value sales and can lock you into underpriced work; raising prices may be more effective.

- "Can you do better (on the price)? — Concrete strategies for handling price-haggling requests while protecting your rates and upselling multiple pieces.

Arty is our artist super-assistant. Trained on all things related to art business & marketing. use @arty in a post or comment to ask Arty directly. upvote & downvote to provide feedback.

I asked Art Helper to help me with the language and terms for my contracts and agreements and find it to be very helpful. Art Helper thought of things I did not. Detail depends on the request and the terms. Even with small ones I want some type of agreement or at least an invoice in writing that I can track.

I’ve done many commissions though mostly for family and friends so I didn’t need a contract but if it was with someone I didn’t know I would have guidelines of some sort in writing and a deposit especially if it’s one of my Impasto pieces that take weeks to do.

I have a contract in the drawer ready if needd.

It honestly sounds like commissions aren't your thing and I just want to remind you that's totally okay. You don't have to take commissions or do them. If you do, a contract is good not just to protect you and make everything super legal. It's about setting expectations.

This is not refundable.

Getting clear about what they want.

In my years doing consultations, I've found it's always really important to ask, what do you NOT want? Most people will be happy if a commission isn't exactly what they want as long as it doesn't depict something they absolutely did NOT want.

No commissions! I've got enough strange stuff available.

Hi Sadie

I normally get a deposit prior to starting any commissions and then depending on size I would get progress payments as well

No contract is used but I have clear steps outlined on my website. A 40% deposit is required prior to commencing. A recent one I did was returned as the collector felt there was too much a a particular colour. We communicated effectively about it, they returned it to me (their time and fuel) and and I made the requested adjustments. They then had to collect it. Thank goodness they were happy with the change.

Having a clear commission timeline and clauses that cover you and your work is the smartest and actually most efficient way to offer commission. When presenting clear T&Cs to a customer, they feel they can trust your business and have something they can rely on in case the commission doesn't come forward on your end. It makes both parties more comfortable with the transaction, and it removes the possibility of time frame or payment assumptions.

yes

I do commissions but it is usually me offering a designed piece for an office or relationship present so its all on me. This affects scope and how much I am willing to contribute in terms of time and quality of materials.