To commission a custom abstract painting in Australia, you contact an artist directly, agree on the size, palette, and brief, pay a deposit (commonly 50%), and receive the finished original in roughly four to ten weeks depending on scale. From my studio, bespoke abstract commissions on panel and raw linen range from $1,800 for a small panel work to $10,800 for a large statement piece on linen. The full price list is on the pricing guide.
I am Brigitte Gerges, a Lebanese-Australian contemporary artist in Western Sydney, and I have made commissioned work for sixteen years. This is the honest version of how it works, written from inside the studio rather than from a marketplace listing.
What "commissioning" actually means
A commission is an original artwork made for you, to your brief, rather than bought ready-made off a wall. You are not choosing from what exists. You are shaping what gets made: the scale, the palette, the feeling, and in my practice, often the place or memory the work maps. It is the difference between buying a print and being part of the making.
The commission process, step by step
- First conversation. You share the space, the feeling you want, any colours you are drawn to or away from, and your budget. I tell you honestly whether what you want fits that budget and whether my work suits the brief. A good artist will say no if it is not a fit.
- Brief and quote. We agree the size, medium, palette, and timeline in writing, with a fixed price. No surprises later.
- Deposit. A deposit (commonly 50%) confirms the booking and covers materials. The balance is due on completion before delivery.
- Making. I work the piece. For my practice this means layered acrylic on raw linen, often with embedded coordinates or map fragments. I share progress images at agreed points so there are no shocks.
- Approval and finishing. You see the finished work. Minor adjustments within the agreed brief are normal. I varnish, sign, and prepare it.
- Delivery. Local delivery or hand-collection in Sydney, or careful packing and courier for interstate clients. I commission for collectors across Australia.
How long a commission takes
A small to medium commission typically takes four to six weeks. A large or layered statement piece takes six to ten weeks. Add time at busy periods and for framing. If you need it for a date (a gift, an event, a launch), say so at the first conversation so the timeline is built around it.
How to choose the right artist for your commission
This is the question most guides skip. Choose on fit, not just price.
- Look for a consistent body of work. A real practice has a recognisable language across many pieces, not a scatter of styles copied from trends.
- Read how they talk about their work. Can they explain why they make what they make? Depth of intent usually predicts depth of result.
- Check that they commission regularly. Ask to see past commissions and, if possible, a testimonial.
- Confirm the practical terms in writing. Price, size, timeline, deposit, revisions, delivery. Professionalism here protects you.
- Trust the conversation. A commission is a collaboration over weeks. If the first conversation feels clear and generous, that is a good sign.
What affects the price
Size is the biggest factor, then complexity (layering, mixed media, embellishment), then framing and delivery. A simple medium canvas sits at the lower end. A large, heavily worked, hand-embellished or tactile piece sits higher. See the full breakdown in the pricing guide.
Common questions
Can I commission a painting to match my room?
Yes. Bring the dimensions, the wall colour, and a photo of the space. I work to your palette and scale while keeping the work genuinely mine, not generic decor.
What if I do not like the finished piece?
With a clear written brief and progress images along the way, this is rare. Minor changes within the brief are part of the process. This is exactly why the brief and check-ins matter.
Do you only work with clients in Sydney?
No. I am based in Western Sydney and I commission for clients across Australia, packing and shipping interstate.
If you are considering a commission, the next step is a short conversation about your space and your brief.
Written from the studio in Parramatta, Western Sydney. Brigitte Gerges, working under the practice Contemporary Cartography of the Diaspora.