Commissions
Commissioned drawings form a very large chunk of my professional work, which is a good thing because I really enjoy the entire process.
Being able to own a piece of art that is completely unique and tailored to you can be extremely special, and often quite emotional. If you would like to discuss a commission please do get in touch using the form below.
To make sure that I can create art that meets (and surpasses) expectations there are a few important points to consider, ranging from subject and sizing to deposits and postage. I have created a list of 8 things you will need to know when commissioning a drawing, linked below:
What you need to know...
1.
Subject
I specialise in realistic drawings of people, animals and objects, solely from photograph. I’m open to other subject matter within this realm, however I am currently not able to help with other artistic styles such as abstract, painting or tattoo design.
2.
Materials
All paper is Daler & Rowney cartridge smooth, 130gsm in different sizes. The majority of my work is graphite and charcoal, using a mixture of powdered and solid materials. I mostly work in black and white (personal preference) but I am also able to produce drawings in colour. I have a well stocked studio so usually will not need to buy new materials for a commission, however specialist new materials may need to be covered in the cost (see point 6).
3.
Image quality
All reference images need to be of high quality, if they are blurry or grainy I will not be able to create a detailed and quality drawing. A good way to test this is to zoom into your image, if you can’t see details like hair or the eyes clearly then this is not going to be sharp enough. Photos taken close up will usually generate the best results, a recent model iPhone should be up to the task. Depending on the subject matter/location I may be able to help take the photographs.
4.
Size
My most popular drawing sizes are A2 (42x59 cm) and A1 (59x84cm), as this allows enough room to render fine details and has lots of impact. Usually I would not recommend any smaller than A3 as this can reduce the amount of detail, however let me know if you have any specific sizing requests and I can recommend the best options. A1 paper is the max size possible, and I always leave a border around the drawing for framing and mounting purposes.
5.
Timings
A drawing can take anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks based on the size and complexity, I may also have a waiting list depending on the time of year, so please do keep this in mind if you have any fixed deadlines.
6.
Pricing
I charge based on the number of hours it takes to complete a drawing, the bigger or more detailed a drawing is the longer it will take. Entry level cost is around £350 for a small drawing under A3 (massively dependent on the actual image, materials, detail and size fluctuations). All costs are inclusive of VAT, postage and packaging is additional, and there may be an additional charge for specialist materials if required.
7.
Securing a commission
Before starting any work on commission prep or drawings, I require a 50% deposit, this allows you to secure my time and protects me as an artist as well. If I have started work on a drawing the deposit is non refundable. I will always be able to give an estimate of when the drawing will be finished and any agreed deadlines will be honoured. I do not send progress photos during the drawing, but I will let you know when I am nearing completion. You will need to pay any remaining balance before I can deliver the artwork.
8.
Postage
For UK standard parcel sizes I use Royal Mail tracked delivery, anything larger or more specialist is sent by courier. I do not cover postage costs so I will confirm this when providing an initial quote.
Testimonials
"I couldn't be happier with my commission I got Jess Tosh to do of my hero, Keith Richards. I still can't understand how someone can draw something so lifelike with just pencils! Hanging in pride of place in our dining room, and always gets amazing comments from anyone that sees it, who just can't believe it's not a photo. Couldn't recommend Jess higher, I'll be getting another one in soon!"
Richard Cox
"I was given a Jess Tosh artwork for a special birthday and I absolutely treasure it. It is the most beautiful pencil drawing of an elephant, my favourite animal. Jess has brought my elephant to life with his movement and the expression in his eyes. I can sit and stare at him for hours and am fascinated by the meticulous detail of Jess’s drawing and the vitality of personality that she has succeeded in depicting with a humble pencil."
Rachel Johnston
"I absolutely love the art that Jess drew for us and it has pride of place in our entrance hallway. From start to finish she was really enthusiastic and truly excited to draw it for us which made the the overall outcome even more amazing. I can’t thank you enough and will definitely be asking Jess to do another piece for our new house sometime soon!"
Rebecca Wood