LUCY CLARE SPOONER STUDIOS

oils – watercolors - commissions

lucyclarespooner@gmail.com  -  lucyclarespooner.com  -  @lucyclarespooner.artist

Hello!

I’m so happy that you’re interested in a custom piece of art! Original paintings never go out of style, & living with artwork is a wonderful thing.

For commissioned paintings, I offer two options: with check-ins & without. 

Commissioned paintings with check-ins is how I’ve made commissions the past several years & is a great option if you’d like to see more of the progress of the painting as it goes along. I send a drawing for approval & then a second progress shot of the painting before delivering it to you. This is the best option if you have a fairly specific idea in mind for how you’d like the painting to be, simultaneously understanding that it will still be “me.”

For commissioned paintings without check-ins, I will take the reference photo you’ve provided & make a painting the way I’d like it to be done if it were for me or a friend. There are no approval or progress photos sent during the course of painting or before delivery; this is purely my own interpretation. As you likely know if you’re here, my work in general is less focused on likenesses; in the “without check-ins” option, likenesses hold an even lower importance and it’s the overall feeling of the piece that matters. This is a great option if you’d just like me to do my thing! Because the piece is purely my own interpretation, I am not able to offer changes after the piece is finished.

Important: I urge you to choose “with" or “without check-ins” not for the lead time or pricing difference, but for the spirit of the piece. Let me know if you have any further questions about the differences between the two.

The process: 

1. Select your preferred painting size & reference photo(s), read through the “Notes on Commissions” page, & fill out the prompts in the check-out process on the website. You can send the reference photos separately to me at lucyclarespooner@gmail.com.

2. Once I receive the email from this website with all that you’ve filled out, I’ll reply & we can get started!

• For commissions with check-ins: I’ll make a drawing for approval & go over with you any notes/thoughts that may differ from what you’ve sent me. This is the best time to note if sizing, proportion, etc looks good to you. Once approved & I begin painting, it’s quite difficult to make changes, so please do look closely at the drawing at this stage.

  Upon drawing approval, painting begins! I will send a photo of the painting when I am about 75% finished.

• For commissions without check-ins: I’ll make the painting the way I’d want it done if it were for me. Before mailing, I’ll send a note that the painting is finished.

  3. Once finished, I’ll mail out to the address provided on the form.

  4. Hang your painting on the wall & enjoy for years to come!

NOTES ON COMMISSIONS

LEAD TIME: 

With check-ins: 12 weeks

Without check-ins: 8 weeks

If you’re working with a deadline, I may be able to expedite the process for an additional fee. The rush fee depends on how much more quickly you need the piece & will be discussed beforehand.

GENERALITIES:

- I’m so flattered that you’ve thought of me to make a painting that will be enjoyed for years to come. In order to keep the painting feeling like “me,” I limit outside direction regarding the technicalities of painting: composition, color, form, etc. While I’m happy to take your requests into consideration & absolutely encourage conversation, please trust me, as the artist, to make this custom painting for you in the best way that I know how.

- If there are parts of the photo that you definitely want in the painting, don’t hesitate to let me know! Please also make a note if the reference photo is not true to life (hair is a different color, posture adds unrealistic weight, etc).

- I photograph my own work for advertisement & often like to use reference photos to show the process; if you would not like reference photos to be used in advertisements, please make a note in the commissions form below.

- If the reference photo is from a professional photographer, please obtain permission from that photographer for this use & provide me with their name & information so I might properly credit their work.

- Please do not make prints or copies of or alter my work! Artwork made by Lucy Clare Spooner may not be copied, reproduced, or altered without express permission from the artist.

FRAMING: 

• I now offer professional framing! I have a few suggestions under “FRAMING” or am happy to send other options.

• Pricing is based on size; shipping included.

• All watercolors will be float-mounted on a white mat behind protective glass.

• I’m happy to mock up the frame around the painting and/or on a wall in your home.

• Lead time is approximately three weeks.

• If you’d prefer to frame the painting yourself, I recommend a thin, simple frame in light wood, white, or metallic floating on a white mat. I use the entirety of the surface when painting, so it’s important that the painting be on top of the mat, floating, rather than partially hidden behind a mat opening. Because the paintings have so much light- & airy-ness in them, I recommend light & airy frames—nothing too dark or heavy. Watercolors are wont to fade in light: please use protective glass.

CHOOSING PHOTOS:

I have a guide for choosing photos that I’m happy to send if you’re not quite sure what will work.

Thank you so much for choosing to live with original art! I will email you once I receive your order to chat through the basics, too. I so appreciate it! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email me (lucyclarespooner@gmail.com).

Clare