What Medium Is Best For My Commisioned Piece ?
Tips from a Salt Lake City Artist
The process of commissioning an art piece is one of the most exciting collaborations you can take on. Imagine owning your own piece of artwork that is not only perfectly sized and perfectly colored to match your space, but is also 100% unique and tells your story. Whether you're commemorating a special milestone, remembering a beloved pet, or just looking to spruce up your home decor, custom art creates an heirloom that is unlike any mass-produced art.
However, in the commission process, a common point of confusion arises: Which medium should I choose?
Hi, I'm Kinley C, a Salt Lake City artist, and I help my clients navigate this exact decision!
It’s important to know that the best medium; oil, acrylic, watercolor, or digital, isn't a random choice. Instead, it’s a decision that depends on your goals for the art piece you want! We need to consider the style you want to achieve, the reality of your budget and timeline, and how you plan to display the finished work. This guide is here to help you make the best choice and help you find the perfect match for your vision.
Step 1: Define Your Vision (Style & Subject)
Maybe the most important, but definitely the first step is to complete your homework. Nothing like calculus; I mean you need to define what you want the final piece to feel like and what it will depict. The subject matter, whether it's a Victorian portrait or a landscape of Utah's unique mountains, or anything else you can dream of, will help narrow down the list of mediums and artists.
It is also important to consider the desired look of the finished commissioned art piece. If your vision leans toward realism or a classical style, mediums that allow for meticulous blending and fine detail (such as oil paints or charcoal drawing) are usually a better fit. If you want a vibrant, illustrative look, acrylics or digital art are typically better medium choices. Finally, for an aesthetic that is soft or delicate, watercolor’s transparency and luminosity make it a great choice.
TL;DR The subject and style you decide on helps with the medium selection.
Step 2: Breaking Down the Classic Painting Mediums
The choice in medium is more than just picking a color or style; the characteristics of the medium(the cost, the timeline, or the look) will guide the rules of your commissioned piece.
If you’re looking to embrace tradition and are a believer that good things take time, say hello to Oil Paints. Oil paintings deliver a greater depth and richness of color. This makes them the gold standard for classic realism and seamless blending. The long working time is a huge benefit for the artist, however, it's also the main con for the customer. Thick layers can take weeks or longer to dry, plus they require solvents to maintain the oil for long term viewing pleasure. But for a classical and elegant look, it is hard to beat its smooth, buttery texture.
If the pace of oil painting sounds a bit too slow, then you need to look towards Acrylic Paints. Where oils demand weeks (or years) of patience, acrylics are fast, drying in minutes to days! This quick turnaround makes them perfect for vibrant or textured work, fast timelines, and mixed media projects. Because they are water-soluble, they don’t require the same preservation as oils. They're durable and permanent when dry, offering incredible versatility. However, because of the rapid drying time, the blends are inherently different from oils.
The painting above by Roy Lichtenstein perfectly shows the best capability of acrylic paintings; bold and vibrant!
Finally, the lightest, most transparent medium in the studio: watercolor. This medium is beloved for its portability, minimal supply needs, and ability to create stunning transparency and luminosity, making them ideal for delicate details and small-format works. (Gouache is used to bring matte, bold color to watercolor.) However, this lightness comes with a cost: watercolors are unforgiving. Mistakes are difficult to erase and the delicate final work must always be protected behind glass. Choosing a watercolor painting means trading the permanence of oils and acrylics for the airy charm only found in watercolors.
For more information on different mediums and the pros and cons, watch this YouTube video from Let's Create Something.
Drawing and Digital Alternatives
Aside from paintings, if your project calls for speed and a specific style, consider a drawing such as graphite or charcoal. I use these in the studio all the time, mostly for value studies, but will take commissions on them as well. I use them because they're the fastest and most affordable mediums. However, you will need framing and UV glass to protect the final piece if choosing graphite or charcoal. Digital Art provides ultimate flexibility with zero mess, offering an unlimited color palette, painless revisions, and high-resolution files perfect for commercial use and printing. While digital lacks the texture of a physical painting, its ease of transfer makes it a good choice for budget conscious commissions, though you'll need to think about printing costs.
Step 3: Key Factors to Discuss with Your Artist
When making the final decision on an art commission, the practical elements can sometimes outweigh the artistic ones. It’s important to treat your commission with realistic expectations, like the deadline and budget, that are as important as the desired look. There are logistical constraints and aesthetic demands that ultimately determine which medium is the right fit for your final vision.
Here are some considerations to review before starting:
- Timeline & Urgency: Is this a last-minute gift or a high-priority piece? Fast-drying mediums like acrylic or digital art are usually better choices than slow-curing oil paints.
- Budget: Generally, commissions involving graphite, charcoal, or watercolor require less labor and material cost than large, complex, labor-intensive oil paintings.
- Display & Location: You must consider the final destination of the artwork. Will it be hanging in a brightly lit room (That requires UV protection)? Will the final work need to be durable enough to be shipped out of state or internationally?
- Texture: What kind of surface quality is desired? Smooth, seamless blending is best achieved with oil paint, while thick brushstrokes require heavy body acrylics.
Conclusion: Ready to Create Your Custom Piece?
Whether you lean toward the transparency of watercolor, the speed and versatility of acrylics, or the unmatched depth of oil paints, remember that every medium serves a purpose. Choosing the right medium, balanced with your budget, timeline, and visual goals, is the key to ensuring you love your custom piece.
When you work with me, I strive to give you the best commission experience you will ever have! Reach out to discuss your vision!