How Much Does It Cost to Commission Artwork? A Simple Guide to Commission Pricing
An art commission is original work created to your specifications, rather than purchased pre-made. This guide outlines typical commission costs for private, corporate, and public projects, and explains the factors that influence pricing.
What can you hire an artist to commission?
Commissioned work typically falls into three categories, each with distinct pricing.
Private and residential
Most commissions begin here, such as portraits, pieces sized for a specific space, or paintings based on a photo or memory. The artist collaborates directly with you on subject, size, and medium.
Corporate, hospitality, and interiors
A designer or consultant commissions artwork for spaces such as hotel lobbies, offices, or restaurants, often at a larger scale and sometimes as a series of pieces for a single project.
Public art
A city, agency, or developer commissions artwork for public spaces, typically through a formal proposal and selection process rather than direct negotiation with an individual artist.
What commissions cost, by type
Commission type | Fee method | Cost |
|---|---|---|
Private portrait or small painting | Per square inch, or flat fee | $150 to $3,000 |
Private commission, mid-size original | Per square inch | $2 to $10 per square inch |
Full private commission project | Total, including materials | $300 to $8,000 |
Large or highly detailed private commission | Flat project fee | $5,000 to $12,000+ |
Corporate or hospitality piece | Base fee plus concept and materials markup | Varies by scale, often quoted per project |
Public art commission | Percentage of total construction budget | 1% to 1.5% of eligible project cost |
Figures are based on published rates from working artists and commission studios, including Evan Elizabeth Arts, as well as cost guidance from Design Transition Studio and MoMAA, as of August 2026. Public art figures are drawn from the percent-for-art ordinances in Chicago, New York City, and Philadelphia, which are among more than 350 such programs in the U.S.
What makes the price go up or down
Artist tier
This is typically the most significant factor. An emerging artist may charge $2 per square inch, while an established artist with a strong exhibition record and collector base may charge $10 or more for the same size. Pricing reflects reputation and demand as well as time invested.
Size and medium
Pricing increases with size, so moving from a 16 by 20 to a 30 by 40 canvas roughly doubles the base cost. Oil paintings and detailed portraiture generally cost more per square inch than smaller or less detailed work, as they require more time to complete.
Reference complexity
A single, clear reference photo is straightforward. Multiple subjects, composites of several photos, or scenes the artist must partially invent from descriptions require additional time, which is reflected in the pricing.
Timeline
Rush commissions are more expensive, as the artist must reprioritize other work to accommodate your request. Standard turnaround is typically four to six weeks from deposit; requesting faster delivery usually incurs a surcharge.
Deposits and payment
Most artists require a deposit, typically around 50 percent, before beginning work. The balance is due upon completion or before the artwork is shipped.
The deposit covers materials and compensates the artist for reserving studio time for your project. This is standard practice in the industry.
What's included in the fee?
The base fee includes the artist's time and materials for the artwork. The following items are commonly billed separately:
Framing
Shipping and insured delivery
Rush turnaround
Commercial usage rights, if you wish to reproduce the image rather than only own the physical piece (This can significantly increase the fee, as it requires a separate license from the sale of the artwork).
For corporate and hospitality commissions, additional charges may include a concept development fee, typically 10 to 20 percent of the base cost, and a materials markup, often 1.5 to 2 times the material cost to cover sourcing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to commission a painting?
Most private commissions range from $300 to $8,000, typically priced at $2 to $10 per square inch, depending on the artist's experience and the complexity of the work. Small portraits may start lower, while large, highly detailed pieces from established artists can exceed this range.
How much deposit should I expect to pay?
The deposit is typically around 50 percent of the total cost, paid before the artist begins work. The balance is due upon completion. This is standard practice among most working artists.
How is a public art commission priced?
Public art commissions are funded through percent-for-art ordinances, which allocate a portion of a construction project's budget, typically 1 to 1.5 percent, for art. Chicago's program allocates 1.33 percent, while New York City and Philadelphia allocate 1 percent.
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