How quotes are calculated.

As stated in the Pricing guide, pricing art is always tricky. For something so subjective, coming up with an objective and fair means of pricing work in such as way that is fair to the work that goes in, and reasonable to a client, can be a challenge. To assist with this, I use a combination of a formula, and estimating the time it would take me to complete the work assuming no breaks.

The formula:

All prices used in this thread are in AUD, please use a currency converter of your choice or go HERE to help you understand these examples.

Commission prices can vary a whole lot due to the estimated completion time (due to the level of detail) and materials used (paint, pastel, coloured pencils, graphite pencils, charcoal, watercolour paint etc.). This means that portraits of some creatures such as reptiles with high scale detailing, certain birds etc. will result in a higher quote as discussed below.

Basic forumla used to estimate commission quotes:
F+M+C+(LxWxD)

F = Frame - Costs can vary here, however as a standard rule; $90AUD for an A4 sized artwork and more for larger/expensive frames. Costs can be cheaper if a client is after a very simple frame. Framing costs can be flexible as agreed upon in the commission contract, in that the final type of frame can be agreed upon and paid for on top of/after the completion of the actual artwork. F = 0 where there is no frame being quoted.

M = Materials. Most of the time I set this value to “0” in my formula and collapse the cost into the actual “D” aspect of the quote when the medium is pastel or pencils. If, however, the client wishes a piece that deviates from my bulk purchased card and paper supplies, such as a painting which will require me to purchase materials for a canvas or board, or special hot pressed paper, then this cost will be included in the quote.

C = Custom. If the job is a custom job. There is a significant time difference involved with an artist simply recreating directly what is seen in a reference images supplied by a client, and a client requiring something free hand or involving a number of reference images. Examples of this can include custom poses of a loved one or animal, blending multiple images in one in a way that looks natural and will require lighting edits and other possible changes, or when an image is of very poor quality due to age such as with old photographs. If not a custom job the C = $0. If a custom job, C can range from $20AUD to an extra $80 or more. Median is $30AUD.

L = Image length in inches. W = Image width in inches.

D = Estimated detail. This is the part that adds the time to the commission and as such can be why one client’s 8”x11” realistic portrait cost them $220AUD, but cost another $1400AUD. Reptiles and fish with a lot of scale detail, or people with knitted wear are examples where the artist will take longer to complete the work due to the detail involved.

To give a rough idea, see Julio the frog here drawn in full “detailed realistic (colour)”. His formula as an unframed piece would be 0+0+0+(8x11x5) = $440AUD. This would mean that his item quote would be $440AUD due to the fact there was only a single reference image used and no need to do any custom work. With international postage, the client would only pay $480AUD (about $326USD) in total due to how light the order is. Framing increases the cost substantially as it involves freight, increased size of the product as well as weight unless the client can arrange local pickup. If Julio here were framed, his job quote would be 90+0+0+(8x11x5) = $530AUD. The shipping could then bring the total out of pocket cost to $880AUD*

*Shipping cost for freight changes based on factors such including country destination and exact dimensions of the product. This therefore means that quotes for each piece may be slightly different between clients. This example given is based on a framed shipping quote to a client in the UK.