Commissions.

Sketchbook drawing for my Sunflower painting.

Hmm... That word 'commission'.

There's something about it that makes me feel uneasy. I have been thinking about this for a while. I don't really understand what the procedure is for doing one. No one has asked me to do a commission; although, I have never offered my services for doing them and it's not something we're walked through at university...

Do I do exactly what the client wants, even if it's not what I paint or draw?

Or do I get their ideas and do my own interpretation from them, whilst hoping for the best?

OR do I not even attempt commissions and  just keep creating what I want to, then hope that people will like it and someone will want to buy it?

I mean, I'm happy to be given an object, spend some time drawing from it and take a few photos; talk through my plans with them and then bring all the elements together to create a painting. But, what if I'm asked for a landscape or a portrait?! Do I simply decline?

Sigh.

Anyone have advice for me? The idea of even attempting it scares me! I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels like this.

(At least, I hope I'm not the only one...).