Question 1

What does it mean to commission a drawing?

Accepted Answer

It is a process by which you ask me to draw something specifically for you, perhaps a portrait of someone close to you, or maybe the view from your house or anything else that has value to you.

Question 2

How do I go about commissioning an artwork?

Accepted Answer

The first step is to contact me to discuss what you have in mind, and I will then suggest the best way to proceed.
 
There is an input form at the bottom of this list which you can use to contact me,
or click here for my contact page.

Question 3

Do you work from photographs?

Accepted Answer

Almost entirely, yes.  That includes both gallery pieces and commissions.  Because I can work very accurately to a photograph this makes the commission process much easier, particularly in terms of you knowing what the final drawing will look like.

Question 4

If I provide a photograph, can you create a drawing of it for me?"

Accepted Answer

Yes! I love the challenge of working from other people's photographs, and it's the usual way a commission works.  Send me your photograph by email and I will adjust it to look like I envisage the final drawing to look until we are both happy with it and then we can set the commission process in motion.

Question 5

If I have something in mind but no photograph, would that work?"

Accepted Answer

I have a large collection of reference photographs having been a landscape photographer for many years, so I might have something suitable already.  Otherwise I can create something conceptually from a number of images either of my own or from another legitimate source, or even travel to obtain reference photographs if the project is large enough.

Question 6

Do you only do portrait commissions, or other subjects too?"

Accepted Answer

I draw all sorts of subjects on commission.  These have included houses, views from houses, landscapes in general, Mack trucks, helicopters, and animals. Let me know what you are after and we can take it from there.

Question 7

How much do you charge for a commission?

Accepted Answer

Each project is unique and it will depend on how long I expect it to take, which is usually based on the required size and the amount of detail needed to look photorealistic.   I can provide a closely estimated price for you once I have seen the reference photograph, or worked out what is necessary to obtain a suitable reference photograph, and discussed the size and nature of the artwork.

Question 8

How long will a commission take?

Accepted Answer

That depends on my workload at the time, as there is only one of me :-).
Assuming I can begin it straight away, the actual drawing can take anything from 15 to 100 hours, but as I am often working on more than one piece in the studio I usually require a minimum of three weeks, and then about a 5-10 day delivery time (worldwide). 
Before the commission gets underway we discuss the urgency and decide on a timeframe that suits the project.

Question 9

I live on another continent.  Does that complicate the commission?

Accepted Answer

No, not at all.  I frequently work on commissions where all the communication is done by email, payment by PayPal, and delivery by courier (usually DHL), anywhere in the world.

Question 10

Where is your studio?

Accepted Answer

I work in a home studio in Wellington, New Zealand.  Apart from the undeniable grandeur of the country, we are fortunate here to have an excellent postal and courier system and a very high degree of online trust which has definitely helped me to work easily with clients from all over the world despite our seemingly remote location!

Question 11

How do you take payment for a commission?

Accepted Answer

Usually in two parts, one to get it underway and the balance when you receive the drawing.  I use PayPal (you can pay by credit card without having your own PayPal account) or by direct bank deposit to my New Zealand account.

Question 12

How do commissioned drawings compare to your gallery pieces?

Accepted Answer

The process is identical.  My drawing style is the same, and I use the same archival materials.  The paper is the most critical component, and I currently use a cotton-based acid-free Fabriano Artistico hot press extra white 300g paper imported from Italy.

Question 13

Is a commission risky?  How do I know I will like it?

Accepted Answer

Since I work closely to reference photographs you will actually have a very good indication of the final drawing even before I have started.  I guarantee likeness to the photograph we decide to use, which is particularly important in terms of people's expressions in portraiture.

Question 14

How much input do I have on the commission?

Accepted Answer

Since it is usually based on a photograph that you supply, that's a major part.  I can provide progress reports including photographs of the work, so there are opportunities during the project to make suggestions and changes.

Question 15

Can you frame the commissioned drawing for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes, although for international commissions delivery is much simpler if I can send you a drawing rolled into a mailing tube.  If you still prefer it framed then I use acrylic in place of glass and package it appropriately to reach you safely and undamaged.

Question 16

Can I touch the surface of the drawing?

Accepted Answer

No, although an accidental light touch shouldn't cause any smudging. It is important to handle it very carefully until it is framed (which is by far the best way to protect it).  I do spray the finished drawing with a fixative to give resistance to light scuffing and to ensure that it doesn't deteriorate in transit.  I wrap it inside the mailing tube in such a way to prevent it moving during package handling.

Question 17

How do you deliver the finished drawing to me?

Accepted Answer

If you are based outside of New Zealand, then I use an international courier (usually DHL), and usually PBT Couriers or CourierPost within New Zealand.  If the drawing is unframed then I use a double layered document tube (a tube inside a tube with a layer of bubble wrap between) to prevent damage from crushing, and I seal the tube to be water-resistant.  Framed work is sent with appropriate packaging and is glazed with acrylic which is unbreakable.

BRUCE MORTIMER

PHOTOREALISM

PENCIL

PHOTOREALISM

PENCIL

example DRAWINGS
2013 - 2021

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean to commission a drawing?

How do I go about commissioning an artwork?

Do you work from photographs?

If I provide a photograph, can you create a drawing of it for me?"

If I have something in mind but no photograph, would that work?"

Do you only do portrait commissions, or other subjects too?"

How much do you charge for a commission?

How long will a commission take?

I live on another continent. Does that complicate the commission?

Where is your studio?

How do you take payment for a commission?

How do commissioned drawings compare to your gallery pieces?

Is a commission risky? How do I know I will like it?

How much input do I have on the commission?

Can you frame the commissioned drawing for me?

Can I touch the surface of the drawing?

How do you deliver the finished drawing to me?

BRUCE MORTIMER

PHOTOREALISM

PENCIL

PHOTOREALISM

PENCIL

example DRAWINGS 2013 - 2021

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean to commission a drawing?

How do I go about commissioning an artwork?

Do you work from photographs?

If I provide a photograph, can you create a drawing of it for me?"

If I have something in mind but no photograph, would that work?"

Do you only do portrait commissions, or other subjects too?"

How much do you charge for a commission?

How long will a commission take?

I live on another continent. Does that complicate the commission?

Where is your studio?

How do you take payment for a commission?

How do commissioned drawings compare to your gallery pieces?

Is a commission risky? How do I know I will like it?

How much input do I have on the commission?

Can you frame the commissioned drawing for me?

Can I touch the surface of the drawing?

How do you deliver the finished drawing to me?

example DRAWINGS
2013 - 2021