Commission Policy.
This policy deals with the creation and sale of an artwork and strives to strike a balance between the artist's right to aesthetic freedom, the Commissioner's right to terminate if he/she does not like the work, and the need for a concrete agreement both can rely on.
Rights to the Artwork
The artist shall retain all rights in and title to the work until its completion and receipt of final payment. That will be on delivery of the finished work and the artist will bear all risks of loss and damage until then.
Copyright
Copyright remains with the artist regardless of who owns the artwork and may not be reproduced [e.g., as a greeting card or print] by any party other than the artist. Copyright lasts for an artist’s lifetime and for seventy years after their death. So long as works are in copyright anyone wishing to reproduce them has to seek the copyright holder’s permission.
Please see the Terms & Conditions policy for more information.
Contract of Sale
The Agreement requires both parties to sign a Contract of Sale to ensure that the work is fully protected when it leaves the artist's possession and to give the Commissioner legal ownership of the work.
Timeframe
The artist will suggest the timeframe required for completion of the work and will agree this with you before commencing a work. This leaves the artist reasonably flexible and gives the buyer an idea of the time scale for his own arrangements.
Payment
- A deposit of 30% of the total price is required before work is commenced.
- Depending on the total price, payments may be required in three equal instalments [excluding deposit], with the final payment being paid on completion and before taking possession of the work.
- The deposit is non-refundable.
- Commissioned and customised pieces are exempt from the refund policy.
Cancellation
You may cancel the Agreement by giving written notice to the artist who shall then be entitled to retain and receive payment for work done in pursuance of this Agreement up to the date of receipt of such notice. If cancelled when the work is nearly completed, you will be liable to pay the artist the full amount specified in the Contract of Sale.
In the event of a cancellation, the artist will retain all rights and title to the work, which may then be finished, exhibited and sold elsewhere, if desired.
Disputes
If you are not happy with the artwork upon completion, please discuss your concerns with the artist as to why it is not as you expected as it may be possible to modify the work to meet your satisfaction.
Resolution will always be the first and preferred outcome in the matter of a dispute but, if this is not possible and the finished work accurately reflects the artists’ usual artistic style and meets the specified brief, you may be required to pay for the completed work in full.
Please note that this would be a last resort and resolution between buyer and artist will always be vigorously pursued.
Delivery and Collection
If you are able to collect the work upon completion then extra costs will not be incurred. If the artwork is to be delivered the normal delivery policy will apply.
Framing
The price quoted does not include framing, unless specifically agreed at the time of commissioning.
Framing can be provided as an extra service or left unframed for you to make your own arrangements.
If the work has been commissioned on a stretched-canvas you may wish to consider not framing it at all. If this is your preference, please specify this at the time of commissioning.
An unframed oil or acrylic painting generally looks best on a block canvas which has deeper edges – often about 4cm or more). If you choose this option please specify at the time of commissioning if you wish the painting to continue round the edges or if they are to be painted a solid colour. Often, they are painted white.
If the painting is to be left unframed, hanging fixtures will be put in place in readiness for it to be hung.
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