Pricing art commissions can be difficult, especially when you are still building your name as an artist. Many Nigerian artists make the mistake of looking at what other artists charge, guessing what a client can afford, or charging only enough to cover the cost of materials.
The problem is that this can leave you working for hours without making a reasonable profit.
A good commission price should cover your time, materials, business expenses, profit, and the level of skill involved. Here is how to create a pricing system that works for you.
Understand What An Art Commission Actually Costs You
Before telling a client how much a commission costs, understand everything that goes into producing it.
Your cost is not just the pencil, paint, canvas, paper or other materials you use.
Your Time and Labour
Consider the total time you spend on the project.
This can include discussing the client’s idea, studying reference images, preparing your materials, creating the artwork, making revisions, packaging it and preparing it for delivery.
For example, if a portrait takes you 10 hours to complete, charging ₦10,000 means you are effectively earning only ₦1,000 per hour before considering your other expenses.
Art Materials and Supplies
Calculate the materials required for each commission.
Depending on your medium, this could include:
- Paper
- Canvas
- Paint
- Pencils
- Brushes
- Fixative
- Printing materials
- Packaging
- Digital software or subscriptions
You should recover these costs through your commission price.
Communication and Revisions
Clients may ask questions, request changes or provide new instructions during a project.
This is part of running a commission business and should be considered when setting your price.
Packaging and Delivery
If you are producing physical artwork, remember costs such as framing, wrapping and transportation.
If delivery is not included in your price, clearly tell the client that it is charged separately.
Calculate Your Base Price Before Adding Profit
One simple way to avoid undercharging is to create a basic pricing formula.
Base price = labour + materials + business expenses
Then add your desired profit.
For example, imagine you expect a commission to take 8 hours.
If you value your time at ₦3,000 per hour:
8 × ₦3,000 = ₦24,000
If your materials cost ₦6,000 and other expenses are ₦3,000:
₦24,000 + ₦6,000 + ₦3,000 = ₦33,000
You could then add your desired profit and arrive at your final quotation.
The exact numbers will depend on your experience, medium, market, demand and type of artwork.
Consider The Type Of Artwork You Are Selling
Not every commission should have the same price.
A simple digital illustration should not necessarily cost the same as a detailed realistic portrait that takes several days to complete.
Pencil and Graphite Portraits
Consider the size, number of people, level of realism and amount of detail.
A simple head-and-shoulders portrait should normally be cheaper than a highly detailed full-body portrait with a complex background.
Coloured Pencil and Pastel Art
These can require significantly more time because of layering, blending and colour matching.
Your price should reflect that additional work.
Acrylic and Oil Paintings
Canvas size, number of subjects, paint requirements and complexity can significantly affect the final price.
Large paintings should not simply be priced by multiplying the price of a small painting.
Digital Art and Illustrations
Digital artists should still charge for their time even though the physical material cost may be low.
Software, equipment, internet costs and years of skill also contribute to the value of the work.
Large or Highly Detailed Commissions
Size and complexity should be major pricing factors.
The more time and technical skill a commission requires, the higher the price should generally be.
Factors That Should Increase Your Commission Price
Your standard price should not be fixed for every project.
Certain requests deserve an additional charge.
Number of People
A portrait containing three people requires more work than one containing a single person.
Your pricing system should reflect this.
Size and Level of Detail
A larger artwork usually requires more materials and more working time.
Similarly, highly detailed backgrounds and realistic textures can require considerably more effort.
Urgent Orders
If a client wants a commission completed much faster than your normal turnaround time, consider charging an urgency fee.
You are effectively rearranging your schedule to accommodate the client.
Complex Backgrounds
A simple background may require little work.
A detailed interior, landscape, crowd or architectural background can take several additional hours.
Multiple Revisions
Set a reasonable number of revisions into your standard price.
If the client requests changes beyond that limit, charge an additional fee.
Commercial Use
An artwork created for personal use is different from artwork that a company wants to use commercially.
If a business wants to use your illustration for advertising, packaging, branding or other commercial purposes, consider charging a separate licensing or commercial-use fee.
Create Clear Art Commission Packages
Packages can make your pricing easier for clients to understand.
For example, you could create three levels.
Basic Package
A simple artwork with limited detail and a defined size.
Standard Package
A more detailed artwork with additional features or a larger size.
Premium Package
A highly detailed or complex commission with additional services.
The exact prices should depend on your own costs and skill level.
The important thing is to clearly explain what each package includes.
How Much Should You Charge For Art Commissions In Nigeria?
There is no single correct price for every Nigerian artist.
A beginner producing a simple pencil portrait may charge very differently from an established artist producing detailed paintings for corporate or wealthy private clients.
Instead of copying another artist’s price, consider:
- Your skill level
- Your production time
- Your materials
- Your portfolio
- Your demand
- Your target customers
- The complexity of the commission
- Whether the artwork is for personal or commercial use
For example, two artists can produce similar-looking portraits but have completely different costs, experience levels and customer bases.
Their prices do not have to be identical.
How To Charge For Revisions And Changes
One of the easiest ways to lose money on commissions is allowing unlimited changes.
Before starting, tell the client exactly what your price covers.
You could include one or two minor revisions and charge for additional changes.
Also distinguish between a genuine correction and a completely new request.
If a client asks you to change a small detail, that may fall within the agreed revision.
If the client changes the entire concept halfway through the project, you may need to provide a new quotation.
How To Handle Nigerian Clients Who Say Your Price Is Too High
Some clients will tell you that your price is expensive.
That does not automatically mean your price is wrong.
Instead of immediately reducing your price, explain what the quotation covers.
If their budget is genuinely lower than your standard price, offer a smaller or simpler version of the artwork where possible.
For example, you could reduce the artwork size, number of subjects or level of detail.
This is often better than doing the same amount of work for significantly less money.
Ask For A Deposit Before Starting
Do not begin every commission without receiving payment upfront.
A deposit helps protect you from spending hours creating artwork for a client who later disappears.
Many artists use a percentage of the total price as their deposit, with the balance due before delivery or upon completion.
Clearly communicate your payment and cancellation terms before starting the project.
Common Art Pricing Mistakes Nigerian Artists Should Avoid
Charging Only For Materials
Your client is paying for your skill and labour, not just the materials.
Pricing Based On What Friends Can Afford
Your friends may not represent your target market.
Giving Unlimited Revisions
Unlimited revisions can turn a profitable commission into an unprofitable one.
Forgetting Delivery Costs
Transportation and packaging can reduce your profit if you fail to include them.
Underpricing Because You Are A Beginner
Being new does not mean your time has no value.
You can have beginner prices without giving your work away for almost nothing.
Changing Your Price For Every Client Without A System
A clear pricing structure makes it easier to quote clients confidently and consistently.
Build A Commission Price List That Makes Selling Easier
A good price list should tell potential clients what they can expect.
Include your starting prices, artwork sizes, estimated turnaround times and what each package includes.
Also state your deposit, revision and delivery policies.
However, do not feel forced to publish one fixed price for everything.
You can use “starting from” prices and provide custom quotations for complex projects.
How To Raise Your Art Commission Prices Over Time
Your prices should not remain unchanged forever.
As your skills improve, your portfolio becomes stronger and more people want your work, you can review your pricing.
You should also increase your prices when your production costs rise.
Do not wait until you are overwhelmed with orders before reviewing your rates.
A growing artist should gradually move from simply finding customers to building a sustainable creative business.
Conclusion
The simplest way to avoid undercharging is to stop guessing. Calculate how much time the commission requires, add your material and business costs, include a reasonable profit margin and adjust the final price according to the complexity and commercial value of the project.
Most importantly, remember that your price is not the same thing as the cost of your materials. When someone commissions your art, they are paying for the materials, your time, your skill, your experience and the finished work you create for them.
A good pricing system allows you to serve your clients while making sure that your art business can actually survive and grow.