Why the brief matters more than the budget
Interior designers often focus on budget when approaching a commission, but the brief is what determines whether the final artwork truly belongs in the space. A well-briefed artist can deliver work that feels like it was always meant to be there. A poorly briefed one delivers something you have to work around.
With 26 years of experience creating large-scale fine art for residential and commercial spaces, I have worked from every kind of brief -- from a single mood board image to a 10-page document. Here is what actually matters.
What to include in your art brief
1. Dimensions and orientation
Give exact wall dimensions, not just the artwork size you think you want. A good artist will advise on the right scale for the space. For large commercial fit-outs including hotels, motels, and corporate offices, include a floor plan or elevation drawing if possible.
2. Colour palette with context
Do not just send a hex code. Send photos of the space, the upholstery, the flooring, the lighting. Colours read differently under warm hospitality lighting than they do on a screen. The more context I have, the more precisely I can match the palette to the room's mood.
3. The feeling, not just the look
Tell me what you want the room to feel like when someone walks in. Calm and grounding? Energised and bold? Quietly luxurious? Abstract work in particular is driven by emotional intention. I paint to a feeling, and that is what makes it resonate in a space rather than just fill it.
4. Timeline and any staging dates
For acrylic works I can turn around large volumes quickly -- around 30 pieces in eight weeks is achievable at a sustainable pace, with larger volumes possible given a longer lead time. Oil works take longer due to drying time. Give me your hard deadline and I will tell you honestly what is possible and in which medium.
5. Framing preferences
All of my commissions are professionally framed and ready to hang. Let me know if you have a specific frame profile in mind, or whether you would like me to recommend framing that suits the work and the space.
What you do not need to over-specify
You do not need to direct the artwork like a graphic design brief. The more room you give a fine artist to interpret the brief, the more alive the result. Specify the parameters -- size, palette, mood, timeline -- and trust the process. That is what you are commissioning: artistic intelligence applied to your space.
Ready to start?
Fill out the commission enquiry form below and I will respond within 48 hours. For hotel and motel fit-outs or large-scale commercial projects requiring multiple works, please note that in the message field and I will arrange a call to discuss the full scope.