If you’ve read the first article in this series, Should You Take That Commission? A Clear Guide to Knowing When to Say Yes (and When to Walk Away) (https://reddotblog.com/should-you-take-that-commission-a-clear-guide-to-knowing-when-to-say-yes-and-when-to-walk-away/), you already know that commissions only work when the project—and the client—are the right fit.
Once you’ve crossed that threshold and decided a commission is worth taking on, the next challenge begins: ensuring the project goes well from start to finish.
If commissions generate stress for artists, this is almost always the reason: expectations weren’t aligned early enough or clearly enough. Misunderstandings have an uncanny way of growing roots, especially when you’re trying to satisfy both a client’s vision and your own creative standards.
The good news? Setting clear expectations upfront is the easiest way to eliminate 90% of the potential friction. Let’s walk through the key steps.
Start With Communication—Then Communicate More
Clear communication isn’t just helpful in commission work; it’s the foundation that keeps everything from derailing. A commission blends your creativity with someone else’s preferences, and every preference introduces risk.
Artists sometimes hesitate to be direct, fearing that too much structure might scare a client off. In reality, the opposite is true: the clearer you are, the more confident—and relieved—your client will feel.
Here’s what strong communication includes right from the start:
Ask probing questions, not surface-level ones
A client may say, “I want something like this piece,” but dig deeper:
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What specifically draws them to that artwork?
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What emotional tone are they drawn to?
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What room will the piece be in?
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Are they imagining bolder, looser, more neutral, more dramatic?
These questions help you understand the intent behind the request—not just the words they’re saying.
Clarify the boundaries of the creative process
A commission works best when your creative voice isn’t diluted. This means telling the client upfront what is not part of the process:
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No micromanaging the composition
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No ongoing adjustments as you create
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No step-by-step approvals unless you choose to offer them
You’re not hiding anything—you’re protecting the creative integrity they came to you for in the first place.
Show more examples of your past work than you think necessary
Clients often make requests based on the limited work they’ve seen. Broadening their exposure does two things:
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It helps them articulate their preferences more accurately.
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It reshapes unrealistic expectations before they form.
When someone sees twenty pieces instead of three, their understanding of your range—and your boundaries—becomes far more accurate.
Under-Promise and Over-Deliver (Especially on Timelines)
Artists tend to be optimistic about timelines. You know your medium. You know your studio rhythm. You know what’s technically possible. But commissions aren’t created in a vacuum—life, revisions, drying time, interruption, and creative momentum all play roles.
Here is the most reliable timeline strategy:
1. Estimate how long the piece would take under perfect conditions.
(This estimate is always low—even seasoned artists underestimate this number.)
2. Expand the estimate to include real-world interruptions.
Drying time, studio schedule, supply delays, or schedule conflicts.
3. Double the number.
This buffer is not padding—it’s protection. It lets you work without panic and gives the client a realistic expectation.
Clients rarely get upset about a well-communicated long timeline. They do get upset about unmet short ones.
Handling Client-Imposed Deadlines (Hint: Proceed with Caution)
If a client comes in saying, “We need this in three weeks,” assume that timeline is already too tight. Rushed commissions create more dissatisfaction than any other factor.
Here’s how to respond effectively:
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Start by restating your standard timeline process.
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Explain why quality work requires realistic spacing.
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Offer alternative solutions—existing inventory, waiting for new work, or extending the deadline.
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Only take on last-minute commissions when the added stress is worth it and you’re compensated appropriately.
A client with a hard deadline may simply be a client who isn’t right for a commission.
Why You Should Never Deliver Too Fast
This point surprises a lot of artists: delivering a commission too quickly is just as problematic as delivering one too slowly.
When a client expects the piece to take six weeks and you finish in three days, a strange psychological shift happens. Instead of interpreting this as efficiency or skill, clients often assume:
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“This must have been easy.”
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“Did they rush it?”
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“Did they take the project seriously?”
The value of a commission is tied not only to the result but to the sense of intention and care. Work ahead of schedule by all means—but announce the completion only within a reasonable window of the timeline you originally set. This protects the perceived value of the work and keeps expectations aligned.
Establish a Clear Timeline Anchor: The Deposit Starts the Clock
A commission doesn’t begin the moment the conversation starts—it begins when the deposit arrives.
This rule removes ambiguity and stops the project from drifting into limbo.
Your standard should be:
“The timeline begins once the deposit is received.”
This keeps the project structured, the expectations clear, and the responsibility for delays where it belongs.
The Bottom Line
Great commissions are built on great communication. When expectations are clear, boundaries are visible, and timelines are realistic, the whole process becomes smoother—and far more enjoyable for both you and your client.
Up next in this series:
How to Create a Commission Agreement That Protects Your Process Without Complicating the Experience