Commissions

When not working towards an exhibition, I will take on commissions. I like to work closely with you to understand the subject matter, this informs the work and gives the final artwork a more personal touch.  When working on portrait commissions I prefer to meet people so I can sketch some initial ideas and take my own reference photos, but I can also work entirely from high resolution reference photos that have good lighting. For landscape commissions I will visit the location when practical but tend to use reference shots.

Pricing for commissions vary depending on the size of the canvas and complexity of the piece, but as a general guide I charge 23p per square cm for landscapes, 35p per square cm for cityscapes. Portraiture price is dependent on number of people.

Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like a quote to discuss a specific piece you have in mind.

Alternative sizes available – please enquire directly for price.

All prices include varnishing, but do not include framing or shipping. I can provide framing at an additional cost if required.

Commissions can take around 2 to 3 months depending on the complexity and paint medium but shorter time scales can be achieved - please feel free to reach out to discuss. 

Please enquire by email or use the form below if you would like to find out more about a commission. 

Terms and Conditions for COMMISSIONED PAINTINGS

PAYMENT
Commissions will be accepted with a 25% booking fee (non-refundable after 7 days of booking) to secure a slot in my work diary and waiting list. Once the painting is completed and you have approved the watermarked painting via email or in person, you will need to pay the outstanding balance before the painting is dispatched. You can do this in full or in instalments; however, the artwork will not be delivered until all balances have been fully paid and cleared. Please be aware that I work on a first-come, first-served basis and waiting times can take up to 6 months, so please contact me to ensure your painting can be completed and delivered in the time you need.

7-DAY COOLING-OFF PERIOD MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
You have a 7-day cooling-off period from the date of your booking, in which you may cancel your order and receive your booking fee back in full. After this period, your booking fee becomes non-refundable and will be retained by Michael Sutherland Art to cover administration costs and transaction fees. Once artwork has been completed and approved, no refunds will be issued.

CANCELLATIONS
If the client wishes to cancel after the 7-day cooling-off period, the payment amount will be retained as loss of business to cover the artist's time and resources. If the client wishes to cancel once the portrait has been started, all monies paid will be retained by Michael Sutherland Art.

PRICES
Exact prices are agreed on a case by case basis depending on size, complexity and if there is framing requirements.

COMPLETION TIME SCALE
An anticipated date of completion will be given at the time of booking. While every effort will be made to meet this, it should not be regarded as an absolute guarantee. I typically allow 2 to 3 months to complete each commission.

MEDIUM
Commissions are completed using the artist's choice of medium, which may include acrylic, oil, mixed media, or whichever medium(s) suit the commissioned project.

USAGE

All commissioned artwork remains the intellectual property of the artist. By commissioning a piece, the client acknowledges that the artist retains full rights to the image, including the right to reproduce, distribute, and sell the artwork in any format, such as prints, merchandise, or other products (e.g. jigsaws). If a client has a specific reason to request exclusivity or restricted usage, this must be discussed and agreed upon in writing prior to the commencement of the commission.

DELIVERY & POSTAGE
Framed, unframed, and mounted artworks will be sent flat packed, with tracking to ensure safe delivery. Most items are shipped within 3-5 business days from completion. If the painting is damaged in transit, please contact Michael Sutherland Art immediately.

COLLECTION
Commissions can be collected by prior arrangement only. Please inform me if you wish to collect your painting.

AMENDMENTS
Suggestions to a painting can be made at no extra charge; however, if these alterations deviate significantly from the original commission, an additional charge may be applied. No amendments will be made once the painting has been approved.

GUARANTEE
If you do not approve the finished painting, you are not required to make any further payment. However, once the finished painting has been approved and shipped, no refunds will be made.