Painting & Drawing Commission FAQs
Please read through the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS below. Click on a heading to display more info. Do to hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or need clarification.
A client commissions a portrait when placing an order for a custom piece of art aka Portrait Painting.
STEP 1
View the Price List on the website or Request a Quote
STEP 2
Email me if you have any questions.
STEP 3
EMAIL me your order, stating the size of the painting.
STEP 4
We will discuss all the finer detail.
STEP 5
I will get back to you with a Service Agreement and an Invoice for payment of the deposit.
STEP 6
Your completed Service Agreement and Proof of Payment for the deposit secure your spot on the commission waiting list. NO EXCEPTION. Email me any outstanding Photographs.
Request a Quote
You will receive a custom, one-of-a-kind piece of art – created especially for you. Depending on the medium you have chosen; you will receive the following:
Watercolour Paintings
Watercolour paintings and Illustrations are painted in professional watercolour on professional watercolour paper and sold unframed. (Framing can be arranged at an additional fee.)
Oil Paintings
Due to my current watercolour, coloured pencil workload and photographic studio bookings, I am not taking on any oil paintings at present. My apologies for any inconvenience caused.
If you are a return client, who commissioned a painting from me in the past – you are still welcome to get in touch for an oil painting commission by special arrangement. Kindly note that the lead time varies between 4 to 8 months on all oil paintings with a starting price of R9500 for a single portrait, 40x50cm. My apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Coloured pencil and Granite Pencil Artwork
Coloured pencil and Granite Pencil Artwork sketched on multimedia paper, Pastelmat or drafting film and sold unframed. (Framing can be arranged at an additional fee.)
You can Request a Quote via my website
The ideal size for your painting will be determined by the number of subjects and the amount of detail. You can view a paper and portrait size comparison chart via the link below:
Size Comparison
YES, I require a deposit AND a signed Service Agreement in order to confirm your spot on the waiting list. No Exceptions.
Standard Payment Terms
A 50% non-refundable deposit AND a signed service agreement is required to reserve your spot on the commission list. The balance becomes due upon completion, BEFORE the artwork will be framed (if sold framed) OR before the Artist ships the final product or before the Artwork can be collected (if sold unframed).
Payment Plans
I do however offer payment plans of up to 6-months. You are welcome to get in touch with me regarding the different payment options. (Payment plans are only available to clients paying via EFT.) I will however only start with your painting once 50% of the quoted amount has been paid. (Studio T&C will apply.)
Yes, Credit Card payments can be arranged through PayFast’s secure payment portal. MobiCred is available too. Please request a link when making your booking. Card Payments require FULL payment due to the high service charges.
The lead time will largely depend on the length of my commission list at the time of your booking, as I normally have a waiting list in place. My waiting list typically spans a few weeks to a few months.
If you need it urgently, e.g. as a gift by a specific date, please let me know before booking – so that I can confirm if I will be able to assist within a short time frame. I am more than happy to try and squeeze you in if possible. (Please note: there may be a rush fee of 25-35% of the quoted amount, on top of the above-mentioned amounts for a short deadline if I can assist within your expected time frame. I must put my entire commission list on hold to accommodate you and I would need to work overtime to catch up again on my previous deadlines as I would hate to disappoint clients that are already on my commission list. Thank you, I am sure you understand.) I would love to help, but unfortunately, it is NOT always possible. I take pride in what I do and I do not rush artwork – I want to give your artwork the love and attention it needs and deserves.
I will give you an estimated completion date at the time of ordering. It depends on the size of the painting, the number of subjects (people or pets), the amount of detail AND my workload at the time of placing your order. I usually have a waiting list in place and oil paint needs at least two weeks to dry before shipping/collection.
PS: The RUSH-FEE will also apply if you need to rush your order, after booking while the order is already in progress.
PLEASE NOTE: Framing (Classic Frame) Requires an additional two weeks from completion for framing. Oil paintings take approximately two weeks from completion to be dry enough for shipping/collection.
Most definitely!
I offer two different framing options for watercolours to my clients. (Oil paintings do not require framing) Check out the framing options via the link below:
Watercolour Framing Options
Yes, I do paint from photographs.
Yes, we can combine multiple photographs into a painting IF PRACTICALLY POSSIBLE. You are welcome to EMAIL me the photographs together with an explanation of what you have in mind.
You can read more below about the quality and type of photographs required:
Photo Quality & Tips
I need good quality photographs to work from. Preferably high resolution that will enable me to ‘zoom in’ to see finer detail. Try to obtain the clearest images you can. I can only paint the detail that I can see, so the more detail I can see, the more detail will be in your portrait!
I know it is not always possible, especially if the subject is deceased – in that case, please email me whatever you have.
Please note that compiling a painting from multiple photos or working from poor-quality photos might incur an additional cost.
If photographs need to be combined in a painting, kindly send me individual photos where everyone is in the same pose e.g. either all standing or sitting, photograph from the same height and angle. Please provide me with photos where I can see the actual height and size differences between subjects.
You can read more below about the quality of the photographs required:
Photo Quality & Tips
I know that sometimes the photo options might be limited, e.g. if you want a surprise gift made or a commemorative portrait of a deceased pet.
If your photos do not comply with the above, do not stress! Please email me the best quality photographs that you do have (before placing your order) and we will discuss the options from there. Please note that compiling an illustration from multiple photos or working from poor-quality photos might incur an additional cost.
I paint realistic portraits of humans and pets in watercolour or graphite pencil. Pet portraits are available in coloured pencil drawings too.
Due to my current watercolour, coloured pencil workload and photographic studio bookings, I am not taking on any oil paintings at present. My apologies for any inconvenience caused. If you are a return client, who commissioned a painting from me in the past – you are still welcome to get in touch for an oil painting commission by special arrangement. Kindly note that the lead time varies between 4 to 8 months on all oil paintings with a starting price of R9500 for a single portrait, 40x50cm. My apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Yes, Gift Vouchers are available for purchase. Full payment is required on all Gift Vouchers. I can either email a Gift Voucher to you or sent you a physical Gift Voucher (courier delivery fees would apply).
The recipient of the Voucher has the option of paying for a larger size portrait when they book their portrait.
My Gift Vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.
YES, most definitely!
Worldwide shipping is available via DHL! International shipping needs to be quoted.
International card payments via Payfast with a card/credit card if you do not have a South African bank account.
Please request a link when making your booking. Card Payments require FULL payment due to the high service charges.
Yes, you do.
Once I have received your deposit and signed the commission agreement, you will be put on my commission list. When you reach the top of the commission list I will start by sketching out your painting/drawing and send you a photo for approval. Once approved, I will start painting and notify you upon completion with a photo of the completed painting(s).
I do NOT send progress photos to clients during the drawing and painting process: all artworks go through “ugly stages” where it would not make sense to anybody except the artist. Therefore I do not send progress photos, I prefer to ‘WOW” a client with the completed artwork. Watercolour paper is very fragile and cannot handle heavy erasing. Watercolour is, unfortunately, a ‘non-forgiven’ medium, you cannot “just paint over it”…in most cases, I would need to start over, from scratch. I work meticulously carefully to ensure accuracy; therefore only one (1) MINOR change is allowable no major redraws/repaints (subject to the Artist’s discretion). The Artist however reserves the right to deny any changes if not practically possible to apply the requested change, if it will change the aesthetics of the painting, will negatively impact the style of the Artist, etc. Any additional changes or bigger changes will be charged separately and according to the complexity. Changes will be quoted accordingly. Any additional changes requested (apart from the above-mentioned one (1) MINOR change) will extend the lead time of the artwork if the artist agrees to the changes.
Yes, I have a selection of courier partners that I use regularly.
Collection can be arranged in person or via your own courier/Uber in Nigel, East Rand during office hours. Alternatively, I would be happy to send your painting to you afterwards. The courier fees will be added to your final invoice once the painting is completed. Courier fees are to be quoted. Your artwork will be packaged securely.
Yes, I can. Kindly Request a bespoke Quotation. The price will depend on the size of the painting, the amount of detail, the number of subjects, etc.
The artist, Celia van Niekerk, retains all copyright of the finished artwork. The finished artwork may be used by the client (you) for display and personal enjoyment only. No prints or copies shall be made, or profit gained in any way, from the finished artwork by the Client (you), without the express written permission of the artist (Celia van Niekerk). The artist retains the right to use the image for advertising artistic services, through printed adverts (e.g. flyers, portfolio books) and digital media or social media (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Website, etc.) The Client is not permitted to make any changes to the original artwork, e.g. drawing or painting on the artwork. Digital artwork can be used for personal use only and not for reselling purposes. When posting artwork on Social Media, the Client is obligated to tag or mention the Artist.
If you require Artwork for commercial use, kindly contact the Artist for Art Licensing options.