How to find the right photograph, artist, and questions to consider for commissioning a painting.

The most important advice I can give is to love the artist's style! If you don't like it, find an artist you like. Every artist has their own style of painting and asking them to create a similar work of another artist's style just doesn't work. Find a photo that will evoke a good mood, good memories and your favorite vacation spot. A place you connect with. Second, go to the artists to get their opinion. Is your photo sharp enough? Do you want the same colors or choose custom colors? Maybe the photo was taken during the summer, but you'd like more fall colors. Is there anything you would like to omit or add to the photo? A good artist should be able to create a painting compositionally strong. Size matters. Is there a specific place you'd like to hang the painting? Pre-Stretched Canvas are great, but there are options that allow you to make a custom size to fit your space. Do you want the painting framed or do you prefer a deep gallery wrapped canvas? Gallery Wrapped Canvas gives a modern look and does not require a frame. Finding a suitable frame for a deep stretched canvas is more difficult and limited.

This oil painting was recently created based on a client's photo that they liked alot and took up north. A destination they often visit. The photograph they presented was a summer view, but they wanted fall colors and they liked another picture I had painted. We used similar colors from the previous image and incorporated them into the commission painting.

(Customer's photograph of up north)

(They loved the colors of this painting which made it easy to apply to their commission painting.)

For more original oil paintings click here.

(Commission painting of Petoskey, Michigan. 40"x30")

This is another example of a custom painting that uses three different customer photos to create one painting. All from the Petoskey, Michigan area. A favorite place where her family spent their annual vacation. I gave the client a few different sketches to choose from so they could see which direction they were going and what excited them.

(The three photos combined to create a special painting.)

(One of three sketches presented to the client.)

The original painting measured 40"x30" and was created on a standard 3/4" deep stretcher bars and then framed in a beautiful wood custom Studio Moulding picture frame. I'm also able to offer custom framing options as I've been in the custom framing industry for over 20 years.

You can contact Christi at info@dreesefineart.com for questions or more information on commission oil paintings.

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