Commissions

• WHAT IS A PAINTING COMMISSION?

A “painting commission” or “commissioning a painting” or a “commissioned artwork” all refers to one thing: the artist is working with you to create an artwork that fits your custom vision, within the scope of their signature style and expertise.

• WHY COMMISSION A PAINTING?

A few reasons for commissioning a painting. One of the first is if you have a very specific size in mind, a very specific imagery or color scheme, or a very specific budget in mind — other than what you’ve seen of the artist’s existing inventory. You might’ve fallen in love with an existing original oil painting, only to find out that it’s already been sold — you could commission the artist to paint one similarly but in a size that works for you.

• WHY COMMISSION A RACHEL’S RAINY DAYS PAINTING?

Rachel Brask has been steadily been building momentum in her painting practice, and will soon have a longer wait list for painting commissions, so get yours in now! What’s more calming and beautiful than taking one of your favorite places and viewing it through that cozy rainy-day feeling of a oil painting created just for you?

• FOR WHAT REASONS DO PEOPLE COMMISSION AN ARTWORK?

As a gift for a partner, family member or friend. As a housewarming gift for someone (or as a gift to yourself for a new home!). As an interior design element to complete a specific home decor design. To commemorate an experience, milestone, or memory as a painting. As a surprise gift for an anniversary or a birthday.

• WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF COMMISSIONING AN ARTWORK?

The very first step in the process is reaching out to the artist to let her know you’re interested in more information about commissioning a painting. From there, she’ll guide you through the process, but you can click through here to get a broader sense of the steps in the commissioning process.

What to expect throughout the process, since this is a custom project, step by step.

Sometimes the idea of commissioning a painting by an artist can be confusing or not quite sure what to expect. Here’s a brief synopsis of some of the steps in the process of commissioning a painting by Rachel Brask:

1) Have an general idea of why you want to commission a painting — is there a deadline (for a gift or unveiling)? Do you have a particular painting of the artist’s you really love? Colors that you’re drawn to. A photo you’d like treated in the artist’s signature style (which would be in Rachel Brask’s signature rainy day paint style, or an abstracted impressionism type vision).

2) Reach out to the artist! Drop an email, fill out a form, send a text, or make a phone call! Just let the artist know you’re interested in commissioning a painting and looking for more information, options, and next steps.

3) The artist will be in touch and have a conversation with you either over email, Zoom, in person, or on the phone — to get to know you and what you’re looking for. The artist will put together a few options and quotes for size(s) and budget, and talk over more specifics.

4) You decide which option you want to commission; pay a deposit, then artist gets to work on the first part of sketches or a mockup of the idea, seeking your input at points along the way.

5) Artist creates final painting at real scale — seeks your input for any changes, or approval for final production.

6) If this commissioned painting is a surprise gift, work with the artist to coordinate the logistics and unveiling to the recipient.

7) Final payments are made, final painting is completed and picked up/delivered/shipped!

8) You or the gifted hang the painting on your wall! Snap a photo or a few and send them back to the artist — she loves to see how it all turns out!

There’s a few common questions you might even be considering yourself, we hope this list helps answer some common inquiries:

• What kind of painting can I commission?

You can commission a painting in Rachel Brask’s signature “rainy window” technique, or in a slightly more realistic/recognizable impressionist version of a painting; Rachel also accepts commissions for completely non-objective expressionist abstract paintings

• Can you paint from a photograph?

If you have a photograph of a favorite place or a memory of a photo that you or family or friend took, that you’d like to use as a reference photo for a painting, Rachel Brask can create a painting inspired by that photograph. Please note, that the final painting will not be a perfect photo-realistic copy of the original photograph — part of commissioning an artist is so that you capture their unique paintstrokes and style.

• Can I commission a painting even if I’m not near your studio?

Yes, absolutely! If you are located far away from Rhode Island, Rachel Brask can still provide you with a custom commissioned painting! The only difference would be that all correspondence would be via phone/text or email; and your final approval of paintings would be via photos/video/videochat. Final, dried paintings will be shipped to your location of choice when completed.

• What is the process involved in commissions?

A general outline of the step-by-step process in a commissioned painting are outlined in this page.

• How do I know that I will like the final painting?

The artist does her best to ensure that you are kept in the loop about your painting as it progresses, so that there are no surprises (unless you want to be surprised). To best help the process, be clear and honest about your opinions and questions so that the artist can assist you transparently along the commissioning process.

• What are my options for commissioned painting sizes?

Paintings can be commissioned in a whole range of sizes to fit all different budgets and wall spaces.

• How can I pay for a painting commission?

Most painting commission payments are broken into 3-4 payments due at different steps in the process: an initial deposit to get started, a midway payment at a critical point (completion of mockup or very beginning of final-size painting), and a final balance due upon completion of the painting. Payment plans are available via invoicing, Venmo, PayPal, and Square if you need to complete payments in more intervals or over more time. Whatever it takes for you to enjoy an original Rachel Brask rainy painting in your home!

• Can you paint from a photograph of an artwork by another artist?

Rachel will not create a painting directly from another artwork by another artist due to copyright and out of respect for the other artist’s original creation (and would appreciate the same respect applied to her paintings). The only exception to this is if the original artist provides personal consent or collaboration on the project. An artwork can be provided as an indirect reference for mood, color palette, etc, but not for directly copying.

• Painting commissions take some time — to communicate vision, for paint production, and for paint drying. Reach out earlier than later to see what’s possible.

• Consider how abstract or “realistic” you’re looking for. Let the artist do what the artist is good at.

• The painting will vary slightly from the mockup/sketch to the final painting just because of the nature of paint application and the fundamental unpredictability of this rain technique process

• If you have a few ideas but not sure which one to do, the artist will discuss which would probably work best as a painting composition

• Payments are due throughout the painting commission process. You’ll get a quote up front which includes a few changes. If there are significantly more changes later in the process, additional hourly charges may be applied to the final balance (with notification).

• Any shipping fees are quoted separately from the painting price, at the completion of the painting when it is dry enough to safely pack and ship, or be hand delivered or picked up if within a local range to artist studio