How to commission an oil painting
If you’re excited to see your car (or dream car) on your walls, commissioning a painting is a great way to support a local artist while working directly with them to create the artwork exactly the way you want.
Step 1
I’ve streamlined my commission process to make it as easy as possible. Simply select the size (tier) you want and on the checkout page, a form will appear that will ask you basic questions: contact info, make and model of your car, your vision for the piece, and any photos or website links that have photos of your car. Once the transaction goes through, I’ll get in touch if I need more information or photos, and to request your shipping address. If you select the Prestige tier or above, I’ll reach out to you regardless, since these pieces are larger and will take an initial consultation to get your ideas just right.
Step 2
After our initial consultation (via Zoom call), I’ll start doing small thumbnail sketches of the artwork’s composition. Composition is how the elements on the canvas look in relation to each other and within the canvas—we can do something straightforward and have it dead-center or something more dynamic, like having it zoom off the page. I’m open to new ideas and the consultation stage is a great place to add your ideas of composition in! I’ll send you the thumbnails sketches and have you select which one you’d like to proceed with. For the larger paintings (Prestige Edition and above) this is where can suggest alternate compositions or a blend of two. Once a thumbnail is selected, this is where I start to transfer the sketch on canvas. Since everything is hand-sketched (no tracing) this portion takes the longest time. I meticulously draw your car(s), making sure each angle, part, and perspective is correct. Once the canvas sketch is done, I will send you a photo to get your final input. All tiers get one small edit, but higher tiers get two to three. Once we’re all happy with the sketch, it’s time to paint!
Step 3
This is actually the most time-consuming part. Depending on the size of your piece, this can take anywhere from one week to a few months. See approximate timing here. For Prestige edition and above, I’ll send bi-weekly updates on your painting and if you request a process book (inquire in consultation stage), I’ll be taking hi-res photos of my studio and process to add to your book. You can opt in to receive these updated via email or text. Once I’ve finished the painting, there is a week minimum drying time for all pieces. Since I typically paint in thin layers, my pieces don’t typically take more than 4 weeks to fully cure and dry (but will notify you if that is not the case). The reason oil paint takes a long time to dry, as opposed to acrylic paint, is due to the paint not actually “drying”. Unlike acrylics, which dry with air exposure (polymerization), oil paints cure with oxidation. Factors like humidity, temperature, light exposure, and specific pigments and solutions used all affect how long it takes for a painting to “dry”—or more accurately, harden. This is how I can continue a painting over multiple days without having to mix new colors every time. Once I’m completely sure the painting is cured, I add a layer of varnish on top. This is where you can select a glossy or matte varnish. Either choice is fine, it depends on how you’re going to display it in your space. I’m happy to talk this through with you prior to your selection. You can also opt to not have any varnish, however, this exposes your painting to warping due to light and foreign materials like dust (unless you plan to frame it with a glass panel on top).
Step 4
Varnish dries faster than oil paint, I’d suggest 2-3 days for it to fully dry for smaller pieces and up to a week for larger ones. Finally, once everything is dried and cured, I’ll send you an update when I plan to ship. Depending on the size of the piece, it can take me a day or two to professionally wrap and protect the art during the shipping process. You’ll receive a tracking number to follow your order. If you opt in to get a custom frame, this process will add another two days to make and assemble the frame onto your canvas. If you ordered a process book, this will be shipped after your painting, typically a week after I ship your painting. Once you receive your artwork, feel free to send me photos of your art hung up and I can add this to the process book, if requested. I will ship it shortly after you send me the photos. You can also request a hand-written letter if this piece is a gift for someone.
Step 5
Enjoy your art! Now you have a beautiful new piece of artwork, ready to share with friends, family, spectators, and visitors. Tag me on social media (@autoatelierstudio) and share my studio with anyone who you think would be interested.