How to Commission a Painting: An Architect’s Guide to Custom Artwork
A custom painting makes a truly wonderful gift for a loved one—and perhaps an even better one if it is for yourself. Having spent a career as a chartered architect and artist painting Britain's built heritage, I have come to the realization that I will never be able to paint every beautiful building in the world.
That is precisely why custom commissions are so rewarding: they introduce artists to new, deeply personal subjects that hold genuine emotional significance in people's lives. That connection is what art is truly about—creating something wonderful that endures for generations.
Whether you are looking to commemorate a first home, celebrate a wedding venue, or capture a historic family property, here is a practical, step-by-step guide to navigating the commissioning process smoothly.
1. Finding the Right Artist
Perhaps the hardest part of the journey comes right at the beginning: how do you find the right architectural artist? Finding someone whose style, medium, and aesthetic match your personal vision can feel challenging, but there are several excellent places to look:
Social Media: Platforms like Instagram and TikTok allow you to see an artist's full portfolio alongside their behind-the-scenes creation process, giving you a clear sense of their technique and finished quality.
Accredited Professional Bodies: Look for recognized industry associations such as the Society of Architectural Illustrators (SAI). Member directories ensure you are working with vetted, professional illustrators with proven technical standards.
A Word of Caution on Mass Marketplaces: While platforms like Etsy are popular, be cautious. Many sellers use AI-generated filters over photos rather than genuine hand-painted artwork, prioritizing low prices over authentic craftsmanship and quality control.
2. Defining the Subject & Working with the Artist
When you reach out to an artist, explain the place, share reference photos, and tell them why the building is important to you. Knowing the personal story behind a house or venue helps the artist understand the emotional atmosphere to convey.
A skilled architectural illustrator will analyze the building's geometry and discover perspective angles, shadows, or compositional crops you might not have considered, ensuring the final piece works harmoniously on paper.
3. Choosing a Style & Visual Direction
If you have a specific artistic style, lighting condition, or color palette in mind, provide visual examples upfront.
When clients reach out to me, I often encourage them to browse through my Collection of 1,000+ Architectural Watercolours to point out previous studies that speak to them—whether that is a detailed study of historic stone, a romantic streetscape like our Bath Gallery, or a loose, atmospheric line-and-wash drawing.
4. Selecting Scale & Sizing (Remembering Frames!)
Before fixing a dimension for your artwork, consider where the painting will hang and how it will be framed:
Standard Formats: Most private commissions are painted in standard fine art sizes (such as A4 or A3) which fit easily into off-the-shelf frames. Larger statement pieces (such as A2 or A1 format studies) suit expansive reception rooms or commercial spaces.
The Framing Margin: Always remember that mounting and framing increase the total display footprint significantly—often adding up to 50% more width and height to the overall frame size compared to the bare paper.
5. Establishing Studio Touchpoints
Depending on the scale and complexity of the artwork, it is helpful to agree on progress "touchpoints" upfront:
Linework & Ink Stage: My paintings begin with precise pencil and pen architectural drawing before any paint is applied. Reviewing the initial drawing allows you to verify the perspective and key building details.
Watercolour Wash Stage: Once the line structure is approved, layers of transparent watercolour washes are laid down to build up light, shadow, and texture.
Balancing Input & Artistic Vision: While touchpoints allow clients to share feedback, it is important to trust the artist to lead the creative execution. Every hand-painted artwork develops its own unique character as it progresses, and giving your illustrator room to work ensures a truly fabulous result.
6. Understanding Costs, Usage & Copyright
Commission costs depend primarily on the time, detail, and size involved. A professional illustrator will provide a clear, fixed quote before work begins. Private home commissions are typically offered at set, accessible rates, whereas commercial commissions (for corporate branding, hotels, or marketing) carry higher rates to reflect extended usage rights.
It is also important to understand the distinction between Usage Licensing and Full Copyright:
Usage License: The artist retains the underlying copyright, while granting you a license to use the image for specific purposes (such as wedding day invitations, personal stationery, or social media). The artist retains the right to display the piece in their portfolio or offer prints.
Full Copyright Transfer: Ownership of the artwork's copyright is fully transferred to you, giving you exclusive rights to reproduce, monetize, or publish the image without restriction.
7. Payment & Satisfaction Guarantee
A artist should stand firmly behind the quality of their work. In my studio, I only request final payment once the painting is 100% complete and the client is completely delighted with the finished piece. This provides absolute peace of mind for first-time art buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions (Commission Knowledge Base)
Q: Who paints the custom commissions at Freehandlines? A: All custom architectural watercolours and house portraits are hand-painted by Christian Coop, MSAI, a London-based chartered architect, Design Director, and member of the Society of Architectural Illustrators with over 30 years of professional architectural experience.
Q: How do I request a quote for a house portrait or venue painting?A: You can discuss your commission ideas, send reference photographs, and receive a fixed quote directly by visiting our Freehandlines Contact Page or emailing christian.coop@me.com.
Q: Can a custom painting be created from old or imperfect photographs? A: Yes. As a chartered architect, I can reconstruct missing architectural details, remove unwanted elements (like parked cars or road signs), and adjust seasonal lighting or foliage using Google Street View, aerial maps, and historical archives.
Q: How long does a watercolour commission usually take? A:Standard private commissions are typically completed and shipped within 2 to 4 weeks. If you need a painting for a specific deadline—such as a 1st "Paper" Anniversary, wedding morning, birthday, or retirement—please mention the date when making your enquiry.
Q: Are original paintings supplied framed or unframed? A: Original artworks are shipped unframed, carefully packaged, tracked, and fully insured to ensure safe delivery and to allow you to choose custom framing that complements your interior decor.
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