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Commissioning a representational artwork from an artist is always a bit of a gamble as any artist will place his, or her, own interpretation on the subject and render it as well as their ability allows.  You might not like the result.

To ease this dilemma I offer the following understanding favourable to you, the commissioner:

  • With suggestions from me, your requirements are paramount.
  • Preliminary sketches will be submitted for approval.
  • Images of the finished work will be sent prior to delivery.
  • On delivery have right of refusal, provided the work is returned to me.
  • No payment is expected until the work is accepted.

        ( A risk for me?  I have had one work refused in 30 years.)
MY FIELD
  My main field is marine art supported by an extensive knowledge of maritime history and technology.  Given the information, I can represent in oil or watercolour any vessel in any situation.  I also have done considerable work illustrating harbour and waterfront scenes with the associated buildings and other features.  Aircraft and landscape are also within my competence.
COMMISSIONING
 To arrange a commission I will discuss with you your requirements, which can be specific or flexible to the extent of leaving the entire composition up to me. 

Photos or illustrations of your subject are very helpful but not always necessary as I have a considerable resource library and access to other sources of information.
COSTS
 Commissioning work directly through an artist is considerably less expensive than buying, or commissioning, through a gallery.  The minimum commission on artwork from a gallery is around 30% and some more up-market galleries can apply commissions of up to 60%.

My charges are dependent on the medium, to a certain extent the size, the complexity and the time required to research the subject.  Generally:

Oils cost more than watercolour.

Smaller oils and watercolours cost less than large ones.

Cost is also a factor when shipping oils or framed watercolours which have to be crated. (see shipping).

A range of sample charges is set out below:

Watercolour:  (normally Archers 300gm cold-press paper.)

  • Full sheet (750 X 530)mm  (29.5 x 21)ins.   $1500 -$1800NZ, 700 -800 EURO, $930 -$1116US
  • ½ sheet    (530 X 370)mm  (21 X 14.5)ins   $  900 -$1200NZ, 400 -550 EURO, $558 -$ 744US
  • ¼ sheet    (370 X 260)mm  (14.5 X 10)ins   $  250 -$450NZ,   110 -200 EURO, $155 -$ 279US

Sizes are approximate to allow for cropping as required.

Oils:  Canvas on spreader or board. Canvas will cost marginally more but allows larger sizes.  The largest board size is (1000 X 800)mm  (39.5 X 31.5)ins.

  • (1000 X 800)mm  (39.5 X 31.5)ins    $2750 -$4000NZ,  1210 -1800 EURO, $1705 -$2480US
  • (800 X 600)mm    (31.5 X 23.5)ins   
  • (600 X 400)mm    (23.5 X 15.35)ins   $2250 -$3500NZ, 1000 -1550 EURO, $1395 -$2170US
  • (500 X 400)mm    (19.5 X 15.35)ins   $2000 -$3250NZ   900 -1450  EURO $1204 -$2015US*

*Oils smaller than this will be about the same price.
SHIP PORTRAITS
 SHIP PORTRAITS.  These are small watercolours of ships I do at a moderate fixed price.  For more information see link.
SHIPPING
 Watercolours can be shipped in a cylinder at relatively little cost.  For example, the reproduction of the H.M.S."Worcester" costs about $12NZ (5.50 EURO or $8US) to pack and post to the U.K.  Oils have to be crated and preferably sent courier post with an all up cost for an (800 X 600)mm oil-on-board of about $300 (150 EURO or $186US) to the U.K.

I base my prices on New Zealand currency.  As currencies are always changing in value relative to each other the conversions above will have changed.  To make a quick check go to the currency conversion site www.xe.com