Commission An Original Painting

I’D LOVE TO PAINT YOUR PICTURE!

I currently have TWO SLOTS open for custom work. [ Updated 4/29/2024 ]

If you are interested in a custom portrait commission, email me at hello@darlingillustrations.com to discuss what you have in mind.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN ANIMAL PORTRAIT?

I am illustrator who specializes in painting animals and turning your loved ones into anthropomorphic storybook characters. I work in watercolor and ink, and I love bringing your imagination to life with the heartfelt energy of storybook scenes.

Do you have a different type of painting in mind? My favorite part of commission work is the collaborative process, and I am open to your ideas. Shoot me an email at hello@darlingillustations.com and let me know what you’re thinking.

PRICING

1 subject

$750
Painting will be on 5×7 inch watercolor paper

2+ subjects

Pricing starts at $1000
Painting will be on 8×10 inch watercolor paper

What do you get for this price?
– Thorough brainstorming
– Concept sketch that you can give feedback on
– Final watercolor painting that will be mailed to you
– (Optional) If you want to order custom notecards, art prints or stickers of your painting, I can also give you quotes for these add-ons.

Half of the fee is due up front, and the other half is due upon completion of the project.

TURN AROUND TIME

Paying your deposit secures your place in line. Once the invoice is paid, I will get to work on your painting.

You will get an update with a sketch of the work before I commit paint to paper. If you need to make edits this is the time to do it.

I will send you a photo of the completed work before mailing it to you. This update is NOT for editing purposes. I am unable to make changes once the paint is on paper.

I am trying to keep the number of slots for commissions relatively small, so turn around time from payment to completed painting will typically be 4-8 weeks.

I will honor commissions on a “first come first serve” basis. If you want to pay a rush fee of $500, I will bump you to the top of my list and try to meet a quicker deadline as long as it is within my abilities to do so.

REFUNDS

Please understand that I will do whatever I can to make sure you are satisfied, but because I put in time to each painting, there are no refunds.

SHIPPING

Shipping and handling costs are calculated separately.

I will mail your finished painting to the address on your Paypal account; please check to make sure it is up-to-date.

Shipping insurance is not included in the standard invoice; if desired, please contact me.

RIGHTS TO THE IMAGE

Please share photos of your painting with your friends and family online!

All the rights to the picture remain with me. You may purchase reproductions as art prints, notecards or stickers of your painting from me at any time. Your custom picture may be used in my portfolio, display, or duplicated and sold.

If you are a business looking to hire me for professional work, my fee structure is different. Please email me at hello@darlingillustrations.com to discuss your project.

TESTIMONIALS

During a time when my personal connection to the outside world felt the lowest, I decided to invest in the joy that surrounds me in my home. We were blessed to grab a treasured slot as one of Erin’s few commission pieces that year, and I carefully sorted through my favorite family photos to find a moment I knew only Erin would do justice. I have several of Erin’s pieces on my walls, but our custom memory will always be the most meaningful. Thank you, Erin, for bringing your magic to our family home and joy to my heart.

— Amy Liebetrau

Erin’s painting remains one of my most favorite presents I ever gave anyone. We still have the painting and the magnet we got with it proudly displayed in our home. I also have several of her stickers on my laptop, one of which I actually peeled off of my last model so I wouldn’t loose it.

— Chiara Mangold (they/them)

I worked with Erin on a commission of a painting for my best friend for Mother’s Day. I submitted a picture for her to use and she sent me a rough draft and asked for feedback. The commission came out great and my friend really loved it. Highly recommended working with Erin for a special one of a kind piece of art.

— Zandra Grissom