Commissions

Original paintings & drawings by Marie-Claire Colyer

Commissioning a personal artwork is a simple process. Commissioned work is around the same price as a gallery piece. You get to choose the subject that is most personal to you and there is no obligation to pay unless satisfied with the final painting. I involve you in the painting process, posting each stage on my website for you to view and comment on any variations needed. If the commission is for a gift, private emails can be sent instead.

Previous commissions include a painting of a Brown Kiwi for the Tawharanui Regional Park TOSSI committee, plus several paintings for an investment art collector, a multinational businessman & numerous private commissions. Subjects commissioned include brown kiwis, a kereru, a fantail, an otter, ducks, dogs, cats and landscapes.

The process

Email me your photos or an idea of what you wish me to paint. I will discuss options with you and provide a postal address if any photos are to be sent. With your permission I will post each stage of the painting / drawing on my website. Additionally I will email photos of the artwork as it progresses so that you may request any changes as we go along. Once the work is complete a final proof is sent for your approval. When you are happy with the artwork I will forward an invoice for payment. On receiving payment the artwork is wrapped securely and sent to you via Track and Trace.

Mediums

Archival quality paint with a high lightfastness grade of pigment is used in all painted work. Acrylic paints used are Golden Fluid acrylics and Professional Derivan Matisse Flow acrylics. Watercolour paints are professional Windsor and Newton.

Choose from: 

Paintings on panel – Birch panel or Apersand Museum Series Gessobord. Acid-free board with professional Matisse Derivan Flow acrylics. These can be framed with or without glass.

    or

Drawings / paintings on paper - Faber Castell Polychromos oil pencils, with the option of acrylic and/or watercolour paint, on acid and lignin free 300gsm watercolour paper. These will need framing with glass for protection.

Reference photos

You can commission me to paint or draw any animal, from your photographs or from my own photo library. On the rare occasion when I cannot source a photograph I will discuss options with you. Please ensure you have permission to reproduce photographs you supply, or else I will be in breach of copyright. These must be clear and if digital of high resolution – the better the photo the better the artwork. Prints can be posted to me and will be safely returned with the final commissioned artwork. I can paint single animal’s head/shoulders or full bodies. You can also add extra subjects, such as another animal or detailed background.

Timeframe

My workload, the time of year, size and amount of detail will determine the time needed to complete your commission. As a rough guide you can expect paintings with a looser style and drawings with no background to take anywhere from two weeks to a month, eg a 20 x 20cm -- 8 x 8in square acrylic painting - looser style with simple / plain background will take one to two weeks. A painting with fine detail will take longer. Large paintings with detailed background and subject will take weeks to months. If you have a special date you need a painting by, such as a birthday, I will make every effort to accommodate you. Please place Christmas orders as early as possible. An estimated date of completion will be given before work commences.

Postage

Prices include freight and packaging within Australia. For orders outside Australia please email for a quote. Shipping to New Zealand via Australia Post track and trace, with signature required on delivery is AU$37 to NZ capital cities for an A4 size work. Once artwork is approved and payment received the painting/drawing is packaged securely and sent to you.

Payment

I will not require any payment until the artwork is complete and you are entirely satisfied with it (I will send an email with a photo of the finished portrait for you to approve). At this time payment is by online banking - direct deposit. Once you approve the final artwork, I will send an invoice for payment, prior to posting the painting to you. Once paymetn is cleared the painting/drawing is packaged securely and sent to you.

Price and sizing guide

Extra may be quoted for intricate details.

Prices include freight and packaging within Australia. For commissions outside Australia please email for a quote.

Examples of artwork

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