Sebastian Aravena vertseven.art

What are Art Commissions?

It’s pretty simple. If you want custom work of art pieces created just for you, those are art commissions. While the focus of the work that I create revolves around nature, animals, cartoons, and portraits, I also sometimes venture outside of my regular work. 

I work in an array of mediums on different surfaces. While paper is my favorite, I also like to paint on canvases, panels, digitally, and even walls. Art commissions are a great way for you to own and display my work, but with your idea and subject. Original art and prints are also available at the Art & Print Shop. If you would like to see examples of my pieces and my overall aesthetic, visit my Instagram or Facebook accounts.

Surfaces & Mediums

Here is a short list of my favorite surfaces for art commissions. While I’m not limited to these, I have a long history with the surfaces listed below. The following represent my favorite mediums. And while I like to experiment with many mediums, these are what I’ve mastered in my time as an artist.

Paper – Ink, Pen, Pencil, Colored Pencil, Markers, Watercolor, Gouache

Paper by far is my favorite surface, from small cards to large sheets of heavy stock. While paper is less forgiving for mistakes, I enjoy taking my time with the intricacies to complete a piece. Of all of these mediums, gouache is perhaps the most forgiving, as it allows opaque layers that can enhance the piece or simply cover a mistake. My pieces on paper are not limited to a single medium, as all of these mediums work well together.

One feature that shouldn’t be ignored is that paper in of itself is very fragile. Pieces on paper hanging on a wall, should be framed behind glass. Even a piece on paper with a wax coating is easily damaged.

Canvas & Wood Panels – Oil, Acrylic, Enamel, Spray Paint

Canvas and wood panel are the most traditional surfaces. They can be put on a frame and hung anywhere in the house or office. Canvas is lighter than panel, but can be torn if dropped or if something were to fall on the canvas. Wood panels are built to last. I even have some of my own painting outside in my yard and they have survived through hurricanes. Paints are not the only mediums for canvases and wood panels. In the past sawdust, rope, other fabrics, and even pieces of metal can be seen on some of my paintings.

Digital Art – Illustrator, Photoshop, Animate

Many have considered digital drawings, illustrations, and image manipulation not to be an art. Or just consider it non-traditional. To that I say, “get with the times, man!” As a graphic designer for over two decades, I’ve heard every debate on the topic. Let’s begin with the fact that I have Fine Art  college degrees in Digital Media and Cyber Art.

Secondly, I have spent a similar quantity of hours creating a digital image and a physical image. There are no shortcuts. If you say that physical art doesn’t have an “undo” button, wait until you ask for revisions on a commissioned piece. In painting there is an undo, and it’s called layering.

Walls – Enamel, Spray Paint

When I was a wee youngster on the mean streets of Kendall, we (as ruthless kids) thought that it was rebellious to tag public walls. Yes, it was stupid. But I don’t regret it. I very quickly went from tagging, to taking my time to paint pieces and characters on walls. I’m no stranger to a can of aerosol. Now, wall art is mainstream and so many artists that create murals have never broken the law. I’m envious of this new batch of artists. But I’m also glad there is a high demand for murals.

How Can I Get Art Commissions?

Great question! Art commissions are simply an agreement (and collaboration) between you and me to create a piece of art. It all starts with a request or inquiry. You can fill out the form below to get things started. After I’ve evaluated your request, I will send you a quote for the piece. I take the surface, medium(s), size of the piece, and how long it will take to complete the piece into consideration for the price.

If I find the subject offensive to my personal sentiments, I will let you know. We can discuss an adjustment, or I will let you know that I can’t take the commission.

Payment Structure

The payment structure is very simple. Before I begin the piece, I require a 50% deposit on the job. I will share sketches/concepts with you before I begin the piece. Then when I’m done, I will share images of the piece for your approval. If you want any revisions (limited to 4 revisions), I ask that you pay the next 25% of the agreed upon price (75% total). Finally, I will collect the remaining money due at delivery.

For murals, it’s a 50% deposit (this includes concept art sent to you for approval before the piece is started) and the remaining 50% before I begin the final mural.