Art Commission Calculator
This tool helps estimate the price of a custom art commission. Artists often price based on an hourly rate or fixed tiers. Use the section below that applies to your artist's pricing model.
Calculate by Hourly Rate
Enter the artist's hourly rate and the estimated hours the work will take.
Calculate by Fixed Tier
Select a predefined tier offered by the artist.
Understanding Art Commission Pricing
How Artists Price Commissions
Art commission pricing varies greatly depending on the artist, their skill level, demand, the complexity of the work, and intended use (personal vs. commercial). Common methods include:
- Hourly Rate: The artist charges a set amount for every hour spent on the project. This is common for less clearly defined projects or those with uncertain time requirements.
- Fixed Tiered Pricing: The artist offers specific packages or tiers (e.g., 'Sketch', 'Line Art', 'Full Color Illustration') with a set price for each, based on typical complexity and time involved. This provides more predictability for the client.
- Per Piece/Subject: Pricing might be based on the number of characters, objects, or complexity levels within a single piece.
Factors like background detail, revisions, rush fees, and commercial licensing can significantly impact the final price.
Art Commission Pricing Examples
See how different scenarios are calculated using hourly or tiered pricing models:
Example 1 (Hourly): Simple Character Sketch
Scenario: Client wants a quick sketch of their character.
1. Known Values: Artist's Rate = $25/hour, Estimated Time = 2 hours.
2. Formula: Total Price = Hourly Rate × Estimated Hours
3. Calculation: Price = $25/hour × 2 hours
4. Result: Price = $50
Conclusion: The estimated cost for the sketch is $50.
Example 2 (Tiered): "Line Art" Commission
Scenario: Client selects the artist's "Line Art" tier.
1. Known Values: Selected Tier = Line Art, Fixed Tier Price = $150.
2. Formula: Total Price = Fixed Tier Price
3. Calculation: Price = $150
4. Result: Price = $150
Conclusion: The fixed price for the Line Art commission is $150.
Example 3 (Hourly): Complex Digital Painting
Scenario: Client commissions a detailed digital painting with a background.
1. Known Values: Artist's Rate = $40/hour, Estimated Time = 15 hours.
2. Formula: Total Price = Hourly Rate × Estimated Hours
3. Calculation: Price = $40/hour × 15 hours
4. Result: Price = $600
Conclusion: The estimated cost for the complex painting is $600.
Example 4 (Tiered): "Full Color" Commission
Scenario: Client selects the artist's "Full Color" tier.
1. Known Values: Selected Tier = Full Color, Fixed Tier Price = $300.
2. Formula: Total Price = Fixed Tier Price
3. Calculation: Price = $300
4. Result: Price = $300
Conclusion: The fixed price for the Full Color commission is $300.
Example 5 (Hourly): Minor Revision Work
Scenario: After the initial delivery, the client requests minor adjustments billed hourly.
1. Known Values: Artist's Rate = $35/hour, Estimated Time = 0.5 hours.
2. Formula: Total Price = Hourly Rate × Estimated Hours
3. Calculation: Price = $35/hour × 0.5 hours
4. Result: Price = $17.50
Conclusion: The estimated cost for the minor revisions is $17.50.
Example 6 (Tiered): "Sketch" Tier Commission
Scenario: Client wants a concept sketch and selects the "Sketch" tier.
1. Known Values: Selected Tier = Sketch, Fixed Tier Price = $50.
2. Formula: Total Price = Fixed Tier Price
3. Calculation: Price = $50
4. Result: Price = $50
Conclusion: The fixed price for the Sketch commission is $50.
Example 7 (Hourly): Background Design
Scenario: Client needs a custom background design, billed separately by the hour.
1. Known Values: Artist's Rate = $30/hour, Estimated Time = 8 hours.
2. Formula: Total Price = Hourly Rate × Estimated Hours
3. Calculation: Price = $30/hour × 8 hours
4. Result: Price = $240
Conclusion: The estimated cost for the background design is $240.
Example 8 (Tiered): "Line Art" for Multiple Characters
Scenario: Client wants a "Line Art" piece with two characters. (Note: Tier prices are often per subject. This example shows the calculation *per subject* based on the tier).
1. Known Values: Selected Tier (per character) = Line Art, Fixed Tier Price (per character) = $150.
2. Calculation (per subject): Price per subject = $150
3. Calculation (Total for 2 subjects): Total Price = $150/subject × 2 subjects = $300
4. Result: Total Price = $300
Conclusion: The estimated cost for a Line Art piece with two characters, based on a per-subject tier price, is $300.
Example 9 (Hourly): Concept Art Batch
Scenario: Artist provides a batch of concept art ideas, billed hourly for brainstorming and sketching time.
1. Known Values: Artist's Rate = $35/hour, Estimated Time = 6 hours.
2. Formula: Total Price = Hourly Rate × Estimated Hours
3. Calculation: Price = $35/hour × 6 hours
4. Result: Price = $210
Conclusion: The estimated cost for the concept art batch is $210.
Example 10 (Tiered): "Full Color" with Simple Background
Scenario: Client selects the artist's "Full Color" tier, which includes a simple background.
1. Known Values: Selected Tier = Full Color, Fixed Tier Price (including simple background) = $300.
2. Formula: Total Price = Fixed Tier Price
3. Calculation: Price = $300
4. Result: Price = $300
Conclusion: The fixed price for the Full Color commission with a simple background is $300.
Frequently Asked Questions about Art Commissions
1. How is the commission price determined?
Prices are typically calculated based on either an hourly rate multiplied by estimated time, or a fixed price per predefined tier (like sketch, line art, or full color). Complexity, usage rights, and revisions also play a big role.
2. What factors make a commission more expensive?
Increased complexity (detailed characters, intricate backgrounds), additional subjects (multiple characters), commercial usage rights, rush requests, and extensive revisions are common factors that increase the final cost.
3. Is a deposit required before starting work?
Most artists require a deposit (often 25-50%) before beginning work to cover initial time investment and materials, with the remainder due upon completion and approval.
4. What if I need revisions?
Policies vary. Many artists include a limited number of minor revisions in the price. Major changes or excessive revisions beyond the agreed scope are often billed extra, typically at their hourly rate.
5. Can I use the commissioned art for commercial purposes?
Unless specifically agreed upon and usually for an additional fee, commission prices typically cover personal use only. Commercial licensing grants you rights for business use (merchandise, advertising, etc.) and significantly increases the price.
6. How long does a commission take?
Turnaround time depends on the artist's schedule, the complexity of the piece, and communication/revision time. It can range from a few days for a sketch to several weeks or months for complex illustrations.
7. What file format will I receive?
Artists usually provide high-resolution digital files in common formats like JPG, PNG, or TIFF. Source files (.PSD, .CLIP, etc.) are often not included unless specifically requested and may incur an extra fee.
8. Why do different artists charge different rates?
Rates reflect an artist's experience, skill level, unique style, demand for their work, cost of living, business expenses, and perceived value. Established professional artists typically command higher rates.
9. What if my request doesn't fit a standard tier?
For unique or complex requests, artists will usually discuss your needs and provide a custom quote, often estimated based on their hourly rate and projected time or by creating a hybrid price based on tiered components.
10. What is included in the base commission price?
Typically, the price covers the creation of the agreed-upon artwork, communication during the process, and delivery of the final file(s) for personal use. Specific inclusions (like backgrounds, extra characters, revisions) should be clarified beforehand.
