Michael J Levers
The Dukeries Art Gallery 
88 Gateford Road
Worksop
Nottinghamshire
S80 1TY
ENGLAND

Tel: +44 01909 480190

Commissioned Art
 
You can e-mail us and tell us what you would like. Every commission is a one-off and you could commission a portrait of yourself or your partner or a family member or even a group portrait in a particular setting. Together, we will define what will go in and what will be considered as out of the initial remit. We then agree on a price for an oil-painting in artists oils on fine linen canvas and on a time-scale. Caricatures are watercolour on paper. We usually do the the artwork from detailed photographs from the client sent to me by post or e-mail. 

How much does It Cost?

For a full-length, nearly life-size portrait, we would now charge around £8,500. I say “around” because no two paintings are alike and a seemingly simple portrait can involve a lot of work, and sometimes it grows as more and more elements needed to be included. At the other end of the scale, a simple “head and shoulders,” measuring not less than 16" x 18"—that is 40cm x 45cm—would cost from £2000 upwards depending on details.

Caricatures are around £150.00 each - again I say around because no two paintings are alike. An additional fee of £50 will be charged for each additional subject. These artworks are usually done on 14 x 10 inch watercolour paper.

Usual Terms
 
In the case of the larger commissions, one third is usually payable on starting the work, one third mid-way through the finished paintings, and the balance on completion/acceptance. Smaller commissions and the caricatures would be paid half as a deposit with the balance on completion/acceptance.

What If I don't like the finished work?
 
No need to worry about this as we will have agreed the content of the painting at every stage. People are usually happy when we show them the final version for approval. Of course, at this stage, the painting has not been varnished, so minor alterations are possible, such as adding more hair or ruffling hair that looks too neat, adding more of a twinkle in the eye, for example. It is very important to us that our subject and client should be happy with the finished work.

Send For An e-quote
 
To get a quote, please use the commissions order form to tell us a few clues about what you would like. The more you can tell us, the easier it will be to give you an idea about cost. If what you would like is a portrait, please tell us some details about what you have in mind in the way of clothes (academic robes or formal/informal attire), number of people, age in the case of children, setting, indoors or out of doors, pets, car, yacht, favourite tea-set, etc...

Once we have finally defined the exact composition—and the best results come from a good rapport between the client and the artist—we will send you a quote in writing stating what we have agreed about the work and the payment (Usually ½ on starting and balance on completion/client’s satisfaction) and once we have started, you will get feedback on how the work is progressing.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!