What is a art commission agreement?
An art commission agreement is the contract between an artist and a patron for a custom piece — a pet portrait, family painting, mural design, book illustration or digital artwork. Commissions go wrong when expectations drift: the patron imagined something different, asked for 'one more change' five times, or assumed buying the painting meant buying the right to print it on mugs.
This template describes the artwork, medium, size and format (physical, digital or both), sets the number of sketch rounds and revision rounds, and treats major changes after sketch approval as new work. It takes a non-refundable deposit with flexible balance terms, sets delivery and when ownership and risk pass, and keeps copyright with the artist while licensing the patron for personal, business marketing or full commercial use. It covers portfolio use, no AI training, fair cancellation by either side and a cut-off for patrons who stop responding.
- Best for
- Painters, illustrators, digital artists, sculptors and muralists
- Signed by
- The artist and the patron
- Copyright
- Stays with the artist; the patron gets a licence to use the image
- Length
- About 2 pages, initialled on every page
When to Use a art commission agreement
- An oil portrait of a family pet from photos
- A custom illustration for a book cover or album
- A digital character commission
- A wedding portrait painted from the day's photos
- A mural design for a café wall
What You Fill In
17 blanks, then the name and email of each person who signs: artist, patron.
1 The parties
- Artist (you or your studio)*
- Your email*
- Patron*
- Patron email*
2 The artwork
- The artwork*
- Medium and size*
- The artwork is* a physical original · a digital file · a physical original and a high-resolution digital file
3 The process
- Sketch or concept rounds included*
- Revision rounds after the sketch*
- Estimated completion*
- Delivery
4 Price and payment
- Currency*
- Commission price*
- Non-refundable deposit*
- Balance due* before delivery of the finished artwork · half on sketch approval and half before delivery · within 7 days of the finished artwork being shown
5 Rights
- Patron's use of the image* personal, non-commercial use only · personal use and use in the Patron's own business marketing · full commercial use, including merchandise
- Governing law*
6 Who signs
- Artist signature and date, initials on every page · The artist or their studio.
- Patron signature and date, initials on every page · The person or organisation commissioning the artwork.
What the art commission agreement Covers
- The Artwork
- Sketches, approval and revisions
- Price and payment
- Delivery and risk
- Copyright and use
- Cancellation
- General
Using the art commission agreement, step by step
1 Describe the artwork
Write the subject and style, the medium and size, and whether it's a physical original, a digital file or both.
2 Set the process
Choose how many sketch rounds and revision rounds are included, the estimated completion date and delivery arrangements.
3 Price and deposit
Enter the price, the non-refundable deposit and when the balance is due.
4 Choose the patron's rights
Pick personal use, business marketing or full commercial use, then send the agreement to the patron to sign.
Tips Before You Send It
- Size the deposit to cover your time on the brief and sketches — that's what it's for.
- Share the sketch as a clear checkpoint: big changes after approval are new work under this agreement.
- If a patron wants to sell prints or merchandise, choose full commercial use and price it accordingly.
- Photograph the finished piece before it ships, for your portfolio and as a record of its condition.
Sign It Online In Minutes
- Fill in the blanks. Names, dates and amounts go straight into the agreement — the preview shows exactly where.
- Name who signs. Tick “This is me” for your own part. VergeHR builds the PDF with every signature, date and initials box on the right line, and you can check or move anything before sending.
- Send it. Each signer gets a secure link and signs from any device — no account needed. The signed PDF, with an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion, is filed in Files and emailed to everyone.
Art commission agreement: frequently asked questions
Who owns the copyright in a commissioned artwork?
Under this agreement the artist keeps copyright in the artwork and sketches unless you sign a separate assignment. The patron owns the physical piece once paid for, and may reproduce the image for the use you choose.
Is the deposit refundable?
The deposit is non-refundable if the patron cancels, since it covers the brief and sketch work. If the artist can't complete the commission, every payment, including the deposit, is refunded.
What if the patron cancels halfway?
The artist keeps the deposit and, beyond the sketch stage, is paid in proportion to the work done, up to the full price. Unfinished work stays with the artist.
Can I sell prints of a commissioned portrait?
Only if the patron agrees in writing, and never for artwork showing identifiable people. Showing the piece in your portfolio and exhibitions is allowed.
Is this template free?
Yes, it's free with VergeHR eSignature. Patrons sign from a link on any device without an account.