How to Commission a Custom Painting: What to Expect from Start to Finish

The idea of commissioning a custom painting can feel a little intimidating at first.

What if I don't love the final piece? What if I don't even know how to describe what I want?

These are the two things I hear most from people before they take the leap. And I want to answer both of them, because a commission is one of the most personal and meaningful things you can invest in for your home. You deserve to go into it feeling excited, not anxious.

Here's exactly what the process looks like, from first inquiry to the moment it arrives at your door.

Start with a photo of your space and a painting you love

You don't need to arrive with a perfectly formed vision. But two things that help more than anything else: a photo of the wall or room the painting is going in, and if you have one, a painting of mine you've always loved.

That combination tells me so much. The photo gives me the light, the scale, the colors you're already living with. And the painting you love tells me the feeling you're drawn to, better than any description could.

From there, we do a quick Zoom call to talk through colors, inspiration, and the mood you want the piece to hold. It's a real conversation, not a form to fill out. By the end of it, you'll have a clear sense of direction and I'll have everything I need to begin. If you need me to mock up different size options to help finalize your decision, I’m always happy to do that. 

What happens after you book

Once we've talked through the details, I'll follow up with pricing and timeline. Commission pricing is based on size, and a 50% deposit is required to reserve your spot and officially begin.

From there, I get to work.

I paint intuitively, which means I don't follow a rigid plan or recreate a reference photo exactly. I work from the feeling of what we discussed, the colors, the mood, the place, and I let the painting find itself. If it applies I’ll share some rough sketches for layout that you can see and give feedback on before I officially start painting. I’ll also share a few progress updates along the way so you can see it taking shape, but I try not to over-share because things can shift as a painting develops and I want you to experience it when it's ready.

The full process typically takes 6 to 8 weeks to complete depending on size. 

The moment you see the finished piece

When the painting is complete, I'll send final photos for your approval before anything ships. This is your chance to see it in full before the remaining balance is due.

I want to tell you about one of my collectors, because her story says more than I ever could.

She reached out wanting to commission a painting for her new home. She and her husband had just bought their first house together and she had been saving up, wanting to mark the moment with something that would last. We got on a Zoom call and she was so full of life, so excited, talking through colors and ideas and what she wanted the painting to feel like in their space. She said that working together felt like working with a friend. Best complement ever!

When I sent her the final photos, she cried.

The painting shipped across the country and when it arrived, she reached out immediately, overwhelmed and excited, telling me it was even better in person than she had imagined.

That's what a commission can be. It’s an intentional choice, something that holds a moment, celebrates a milestone, something just for you, one of a kind. 

A few things worth knowing

Every commission is created as a one-of-a-kind original, made exclusively for you. Your piece will never be reproduced as a print or offered for sale in any other form. It belongs to you, and only you.

I accept a limited number of commissions each year so that each painting gets the time and attention it deserves. If you've been thinking about it, even if your idea is still just a feeling, I'd encourage you not to wait.

Ready to begin?

Submit your inquiry here and tell me about your space, your inspiration, and what you're hoping the painting will feel like. I'll follow up with availability and next steps.

Still have questions? You're always welcome to email me at hello@kendracastillo.com.