Art commission prices: what drives the cost
Most artists price by size (per square inch) or by time plus materials, and potters usually price per piece, then adjust for detail, medium and deadline. These published examples and ranges show the logic; bids from real artists give you the number.
Two common ways artists price a commission
| Method | Published example |
|---|---|
| Square inch: width × height × a set rate, plus materials | 12 × 12 in = 144 sq in × $3 = $432; add twice the material cost ($50 of materials → +$100) |
| Hourly: hours × hourly rate, plus materials (common for acrylic, mixed media and craft) | $25/hr × 5 hours + $50 materials = $175, or about $230 with a 30% margin |
| Digital illustration: hours × hourly rate, plus margin (no materials) | $40/hr × 5 hours + 15% = $230 |
Source: Skillshare, 'Expert Advice: How to Price Your Art' (Laura Mueller, 2021). These are the article's worked examples, not market averages: rates vary widely with the artist's experience, reputation and location.
Published price ranges for bronze sculpture
| What | Published range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Small decorative or tabletop bronze | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Medium garden sculpture | $3,000–$15,000 |
| Custom life-size commission | $20,000–$60,000+ |
| Lost-wax casting, piece under 0.6 m (about 2 ft) | $2,500–$8,000 |
| Mold making (one stage of casting) | $2,000–$8,000 |
Source: ThePricer, 'How Much Does a Bronze Statue Cost?' (updated October 2026). US figures for bronze; clay, resin, plaster and 3D-printed sculpture usually cost far less. Your bids will vary.
Published prices for handmade pottery
| What | Published example (USD) |
|---|---|
| Everyday handmade mugs and bowls, retail | About $25–$120 a piece |
| Hand-carved serving pieces, retail | About $180–$350 a piece |
| Handmade four-piece place setting (two plates, two bowls) | $195 a setting |
| Handmade full-size ceramic cremation urn | $280–$1,500 |
Sources: Ceramic Arts Network, 'The Hourly Earnings Project' (Mea Rhee; first published 2011, republished December 2020) for mugs, bowls and serving pieces; Design Within Reach, Jono Pandolfi four-piece place setting (checked October 2026); Cremation Institute, handmade ceramic urns. These are retail prices for existing designs, not quotes: custom glazes, matched sets and personalisation vary by potter.
Real work from makers on The Spool List
Photos from real Forge listings and maker portfolios on The Spool List — not stock images.
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Forge listing
Decorative peices
by Precision Inscions$35.00
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Forge listing
Halloween
by Precision Inscions$35.00
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Forge listing
Safety in shadows. Blenheim.
by CR Studios$850.00
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Forge listing
Tiger Moths training
by CR Studios$795.00
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Forge listing
Hurricane on the hunt.
by CR Studios$795.00
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Forge listing
Threat of a different nature. Spitfire.
by CR Studios$795.00
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Forge listing
“RED TAILS” to the rescue!! Mustang!!
by CR Studios$2,500.00
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Forge listing
Catalina splashdown!
by CR Studios$795.00
What moves the price
- Size — Bigger canvases and taller sculptures take more material and more hours. Many painters quote per square inch, so doubling both sides roughly quadruples the price.
- Detail and number of subjects — A single figure on a plain background is quicker than a family of five in a detailed room. Each extra person or pet adds time.
- Medium — Oil takes longer to dry and layer than acrylic. Watercolour and drawing are usually quicker. In pottery, porcelain, hand-painted decoration and extra firings take more time than a simple stoneware glaze. In sculpture, a fired clay or resin piece costs far less than a bronze cast, because casting adds foundry stages.
- Sets and matching — A dinnerware set or a run of mugs has to come out of the kiln close in size and colour. Glazes vary from firing to firing and pieces can crack or warp, so potters often test the glaze first and make a few extra pieces; that time is in the price.
- Revisions — Most artists include one or two rounds of changes at the sketch stage. Changes after the painting or casting is under way usually cost extra, so ask what's included.
- Framing and finishing — A frame, a varnish coat, a plinth, mounting hardware or a sealed outdoor finish adds material and time.
- Shipping — Large or fragile work needs a crate or a custom box and insurance, especially abroad. Ask whether shipping is in the bid.
- Deadline — A gift date close to your post is a rush job. Rush work usually costs more, and some artists will pass.
- Rights and use — Buying a painting is not buying its copyright. If you want prints, a book cover or commercial use, say so in the brief; artists usually price usage rights separately.
How to brief an artist (paste this into your post)
- What it is: painting, drawing, digital illustration, pottery or ceramics, sculpture, resin piece, model, doll, terrarium or candles.
- The subject, with clear reference photos (good light, several angles for a sculpture or a pet portrait).
- Size: canvas or paper size in inches or cm, or the height of a sculpture, plus the wall or shelf space it has to fit.
- Medium and style: oil, acrylic, watercolour, pencil, digital; realistic, stylised, abstract. Link two or three examples you like.
- Colours or a room photo if it has to match a space.
- For pottery: what the pieces are for (food and drink, display, planters or ashes), how many in the set, and whether they must be dishwasher-, microwave- or oven-safe.
- Framing, varnish, plinth or mounting if you want it finished and ready to hang or display.
- Usage: personal only, or prints and commercial use too.
- The date you need it, and your delivery address.
- Budget range. Artists bid better against a real number.