If you have ever looked for a custom painting, you may have come across a phrase that sounds slightly formal:

“Art commission.”

But what does it actually mean?

Is an art commission different from a custom painting? Why do artists say “commission an artwork” instead of simply saying “order a painting”?

The simple answer is:

The word “commission” describes the act of formally requesting and engaging an artist to create that artwork.

So when you commission a painting, you are not simply buying something that already exists. You are asking an artist to create something new.

What Does “Commission” Mean in Art?

The word commission means to formally ask someone to create or carry out something for you. The concept is not unique to art. For example, you might commission:

• An architect to design a house
• A designer to create a logo
• A photographer to photograph a wedding
• A furniture maker to build a custom table
• An artist to create a painting

In each case, you have a specific requirement and you engage a professional to create something based on that requirement. In art, the result is called a commissioned artwork.

What Is an Art Commission?

An art commission is a request from a client to an artist to create an original artwork according to an agreed brief. The client may provide:

• A subject
• A photograph
• An idea
• A story
• A preferred style
• A colour palette
• A size
• A material
• A deadline

The artist then creates the artwork. For example:

“I have a photograph from my wedding. Can you create an original painting from it?”

That is an art commission. Or:

“I have a large empty wall in my living room. Can you create an abstract painting in warm neutral colours at 48 × 36 inches?”

That is also an art commission.

Why Don’t We Just Say “Custom Painting”?

You absolutely can. Custom painting is a simpler and more consumer-friendly term. However, commission describes the relationship between the client and artist more precisely. Compare these two phrases:

That distinction is important.

Buying Existing Art vs Commissioning Art

The easiest way to understand the difference is to compare the two processes.

If you would rather choose from what already exists, you can browse the HOA original art collection.

Why Is It Called a “Commission”?

The word has a long history of being used for professional work. Historically, wealthy individuals, institutions, religious organisations, governments, and patrons would ask artists to create specific works. A patron might ask an artist to create:

• A portrait
• A religious painting
• A historical scene
• A mural
• A sculpture
• Artwork for a building

The artist was not simply producing a random work and hoping someone would buy it. Someone had specifically commissioned the artwork.

The same basic concept exists today. The difference is that commissioning art is now accessible to far more people. You do not need to be a royal patron or major collector to commission an artist. You can commission a painting for your home, family, office, wedding, anniversary, business, or personal collection.

What Can You Commission an Artist to Create?

Almost any subject can become the starting point for a commission, depending on the artist’s practice.

What Happens During an Art Commission?

A commission usually follows a process.

Is a Commission the Same as a Custom Painting?

In everyday conversation, the two terms are often used interchangeably. Custom painting describes what the customer wants. Art commission describes the process of engaging the artist to create it. For example:

So a custom painting can be a commissioned artwork.

Is Commissioned Art Always Based on a Photograph?

No. A photograph is only one possible starting point. You can commission an artist from:

• A photograph
• A written idea
• A memory
• A sketch
• A location
• A colour palette
• A concept
• A combination of references

For example, you might tell an abstract artist:

“I want artwork inspired by monsoon rain, using deep blue, grey and warm gold.”

You are not asking the artist to copy a photograph. You are giving the artist a creative brief. That is still a commission.

Can You Choose the Size of a Commission?

Often, yes. This is one of the biggest advantages of commissioning artwork. Instead of trying to find an existing painting that happens to fit your wall, you can discuss the required dimensions with the artist. For example:

The appropriate size depends on the artwork, wall, furniture, viewing distance, and artist’s working method.

How Much Does an Art Commission Cost?

There is no universal commission price. The cost can vary significantly depending on the artist and project. Factors may include:

• Artist experience
• Artwork size
• Medium
• Complexity
• Number of people or subjects
• Materials
• Framing
• Delivery
• Deadline

For example, a simple small portrait and a large detailed family painting are both commissions, but they can require very different amounts of time and materials. The best approach is to provide the artist with enough information to receive a project-specific quotation.

Why Does a Commission Cost More Than a Print?

A print reproduces an existing image. A commissioned painting requires an artist to spend time creating a new physical artwork. The cost can therefore include:

• Artist’s creative work
• Planning
• Materials
• Studio time
• Painting
• Finishing
• Framing
• Packaging
• Delivery

You are not simply paying for an image. You are paying for the creation of an original artwork.

What Should You Discuss Before Commissioning?

Before confirming a commission, make sure you understand the points below. Tick them off as you go.

Clear communication at the beginning can prevent misunderstandings later.

Why Commission Original Art Instead of Buying Ready-Made Art?

Buying an existing artwork gives you the freedom to choose from what is already available. Commissioning gives you a different kind of freedom. You can say:

“I want this subject.”
“I want this size.”
“I want these colours.”
“I want it created for this wall.”

That personal connection is what makes commissioned art special. The artwork can become connected to a specific person, memory, place, event, or moment in your life.

What Does “Commission an Artist” Really Mean?

In simple terms:

So when someone says “I commissioned this painting,” they mean “I asked an artist to create this artwork for me.” That is why the word commission is used. It describes the relationship between the person requesting the artwork and the artist creating it.

Art Commission at HOA Gallery

At HOA Gallery, the idea of commissioning art is simple:

You can start with:

• A photograph
• A subject
• A memory
• A wall
• A preferred size
• A colour palette
• A specific artwork requirement

The commission process can then be discussed around the artwork, size, medium, framing, timeline, and delivery. This makes commissioning useful for buyers who cannot find exactly what they want among ready-made paintings. Instead of searching endlessly for the “perfect” painting, you can ask an artist to create something specifically for you. See how an HOA art commission works.

Final Thoughts

The word commission may sound formal, but the idea is simple. You have an idea. You find an artist. You agree on what should be created. The artist creates an original artwork specifically for you. That’s an art commission.

Whether it is a portrait of your parents, a wedding memory, a painting of your childhood home, a pet portrait, or an abstract artwork designed for your living room, commissioning gives you the opportunity to own something that did not exist before you requested it.

You don’t just choose the artwork. You help begin its creation.