Introduction

Commissioning a piece of art - asking an artist to create something specifically for you - is one of the most personally meaningful things you can do in the art world. It is also, for many people, one of the most intimidating. How do you approach an artist? What do you say? How much should it cost? How long will it take? And what if you do not like what they produce?

These questions are entirely reasonable, and the answers are simpler than most people expect. This guide walks through the complete process of commissioning art in Johannesburg - from brief to delivery - so that you can approach it with confidence and come out the other side with something genuinely extraordinary on your walls.

Why commission a painting rather than buying ready-made?

A commissioned painting is unique in a way that no purchased piece, however beautiful, can replicate. It was made for you - out of a specific brief, a specific collaboration, and a specific relationship between you and the artist. The subject matter, the scale, the palette, and often the mood are all negotiated between two people who bring different but complementary expertise to the conversation.

The result is a piece of art that carries a story no one else's work can tell - and that is usually the most powerful thing you can hang on a wall.

Types of art commission available in Johannesburg

Portrait commissions

The oldest and most requested form of art commission. Portrait commissions in Johannesburg range from highly realistic oil paintings of individuals and families to loose, expressive watercolour or acrylic portraits that capture character and energy rather than photographic likeness. Pet portraits - dogs especially - are one of the most consistently popular subcategories.

Interior and architectural commissions

A painting of a meaningful space - your family home, a favourite restaurant, a garden you have built over decades - is a deeply personal piece of art and an increasingly popular commission request. These pieces work especially well as gifts for people who have a profound attachment to a specific place.

Abstract and decorative commissions

If you have a specific colour palette, a specific room, or a specific emotional register in mind but do not want a representational subject, an abstract commission gives you the creative direction without the constraint of subject matter. You brief the artist on mood, palette, size, and energy - and they translate that brief into something entirely original.

Corporate and large-scale commissions

Johannesburg's corporate sector has a strong tradition of commissioning large-scale art for office lobbies, boardrooms, and public spaces. These commissions are typically more complex to manage - involving project briefs, multiple stakeholders, and significant scale - but they are also among the most creatively ambitious and financially significant work available to Joburg artists.

Tablescape and food art commissions

For lovers of food, wine, and the culture of the table, a custom tablescape commission - painted from your own kitchen colours, your own favourite ingredients, your own entertaining aesthetic - is a wonderfully specific and personal piece of art. Artists like Gabby from Gabby VdB Art have built their practices around exactly this kind of joyful, food-centred work. Explore the collection at Gabby VdB Art as a starting point.

How to approach an artist about a commission

Do your research first

Before approaching any artist, spend time with their existing work. A good commission brief starts with a genuine appreciation of what the artist already does - their style, their palette, their scale, their subject matter. You are not asking them to produce work they have never made before; you are asking them to bring their established practice to bear on your specific needs.

Prepare a clear brief

The most productive commission conversations start with the buyer having a clear idea of what they want. Before you make contact, prepare answers to the following:

• What is the subject matter? (portrait, place, abstract, food, landscape...)
• What size do you need? (and where will it hang - send a photo of the wall if possible)
• What is your palette or colour reference? (photos of the room, or specific colour references)
• What is your budget?
• What is your timeline? (do you have a specific deadline - a birthday, an anniversary?)
• What style are you drawn to? (send examples of work you love, including but not limited to the artist's own)

Be open to the artist's input

The best commissions are genuine collaborations. Your brief is the starting point, not the blueprint. A good artist will ask questions, push back on things that do not suit their practice, and suggest approaches you had not considered. This dialogue usually produces better results than rigidly adhering to an initial brief.

What does a commission cost in Johannesburg?

• Small works (A4 - A3 size, unframed): R800 - R2,500
• Medium works (A2 - 50x70cm): R2,500 - R7,000
• Large works (60x90cm and above): R6,000 - R25,000+
• Pet portraits: R1,500 - R4,000 depending on size and medium
• Family portraits (multiple subjects): R5,000 - R20,000+
• Large corporate commissions: R25,000 - R200,000+

Most Johannesburg artists working on commissions require a 50% deposit upfront, with the balance due on completion before delivery. Do not be alarmed by this - it is standard practice and protects both parties.

Timeline: what to expect from enquiry to delivery

• Initial enquiry and brief: Day 1
• Artist response with quote, questions, and availability: Day 2-7
• Deposit payment and formal agreement: Day 7-14
• Reference sketch or colour study for approval: Week 2-4
• Work in progress: Week 3-10 (varies by scale and medium)
• Final approval, balance payment, and delivery: Week 8-14

For time-sensitive gifts, always communicate your deadline upfront. Most Joburg artists are honest about their current queue and will tell you if they cannot deliver in your timeframe.

Conclusion

A commissioned painting is one of the most meaningful things you can own - and one of the most meaningful things you can give. In Johannesburg, with its extraordinary depth of artistic talent, the commissioning process is more accessible than most people realise. If you are looking for ready-made art while you consider a commission, explore the Gabby VdB Art collection at Gabby VdB Art - vibrant South African prints from R300.

Explore South African art at gabbyvdbart.com - prints from R300, or enquire about commissions for something truly personal.