COMMISSIONS by Lily Keller
fine art that is one of a kind and unique to you
Welcome to my commissions page!
I like to say that my true job as an artist is simply to see—to see you, to see the places you and I love, and to really see the people you love when I paint them. It goes far beyond the light and shapes and colors. It is about truly seeing the essence of a person, a place, a scene.
In my landscapes and seascapes, I feel a deep connection to the places I paint. When my paintings go off to a new home, I am sending more than pretty colors and shapes on canvas; I am also sending the love, energy and good vibes of the place I painted. For this reason, I especially love to paint your own special places onto canvas.
To me there is nothing more special than a portrait of those we love—including ourselves of course. I love to paint portraits, and while I do offer traditional-style posed portraits, I especially love to paint scenes of people together. Or if it is one person, paint that person engaged in something he or she loves to do.
We can also always photoshop a scene together based off multiple reference photos.
To ensure I have the quality time to spend on your painting, I only accept a limited number of commissions each year. To reserve your spot, you do not need a precise plan, you only need to choose a size and pay a 50% deposit. If you need help choosing a size, I am pretty good at this sort of thing ;) You can also send me a photo of the room it may go in, and I can send you some mock-ups of paintings in several sizes placed into that location.
Some things to consider when choosing a commission piece:
Is there a place that you have always felt a connection to? A childhood home, or backyard, or a place you visited on family vacations? A place you still think about, years later? Or maybe it’s simply a field or inlet you drive by daily. It doesn’t matter how significant or trivial this place may be in your day to day, I understand the feeling that some places give us. Adding that special energy to your home can bring such amazing vitality and peace to your rooms.
When considering size, think about whether you have a specific place to hang this painting. Are you looking for a painting for a pre-planned spot on a wall? If so, I suggest measuring that wall and then calculating out about 10 inches on each side for a medium sized painting. If you are adding it to a gallery wall, then you can plan less space on the sides. Feel free to reach out and I can guide you through size decisions, including some quick photoshop renderings as mentioned above!
Price list
Price listed is the total price; 50% is due as a non-refundable deposit to hold your spot, the remaining 50% plus shipping is due upon completion. I do offer payment plans as well as afterpay, contact me here for more info.
If you would like to pay via venmo, my venmo is @lilykkeller. Alternatively you can reach out to me and I will send you an invoice that can be paid with any major credit card including American Express, or via paypal. Landscapes in general take me about 1/3 to 1/2 the time that portraits do (with portraits I typically use an oil painting technique called glazing, and this takes multiple thin layers of paint…but is so worth it!). For this reason I do charge just slightly more for my portrait and figurative paintings.
Regardless of the subject matter, I spend as much time as it takes for your painting to be absolutely perfect before sending it off. This is a collaborative process in which you have many chances to offer feedback and request changes.
Note—I do also offer affordable and unique portrait sketches. These are beautiful mixed pencil and charcoal pieces drawn on heavyweight archival paper. Sometimes I even prefer this, depending on the subject and composition. It can be a really nice way to let someone’s true character shine through in the simplicity of the medium. These can be purchased for landscapes as well.
landscape commissions price list
Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas or Cradled Birch Wood. Sizes up to 11x14 come in a natural wood floater frame. Sizes 20x20 and larger come with the sides painted as a continuation of the painting (for canvas) or the natural birch wood (for cradled wood)
One last note: these are popular sizes, but we can do any size in between as well.
8x8 $400
8x10 $430
10X10 $500
9X12 $580
11X14 $650
12x12 $720
16x16 $900
16x20 $1000
20x20 $1150
18x24 $1280
24x24 $1400
24x30 $1700
24x36 $2200
30x30 $2200
30x36 $2600
30x40 $3000
36x36 $3300
40x40 $3800
36x48 $4500
36x60 $475
48x48 $5050
40x60 $5200
36x72 $5700
48x60 $6300
60x60 $7900
60x72 $9500
72x72 $11,400
portrait commissions
These can be a classic posed portrait or a more candid scene. If you are unsure which way to go, we can figure out your favorite together as well plan our the composition.
8x10 $600
10X10 $680
9X12 $750
11X14 $820
12x12 $900
16x16 $1100
16x20 $1200
20x20 $1300
18x24 $1390
24x24 $1550
24x30 $1800
30x30 $2000
24x36 $2300
30x30 $2300
30x36 $2800
30x40 $3300
36x36 $3600
40x40 $4200
36x48 $5000
charcoal and pencil portraits
(These can of course be purchased for a landscape as well)
Because I really love creating these, unique pieces and the joy they bring to families, I offer a lower priced alternative to the painting portraits. There is something so classic and timeless about a charcoal drawing. I genuinely find these to be just as special and beautiful as a painting, they are a different feel and I think make especially beautiful gifts, especially for that person who is hard to shop for or whose color preferences you may not know.
These are created using a combination of charcoal and pencil on heavyweight archival paper
8x10 $200
9x12 $270
11x14 $385
12x16 $480
14x18 $630
Materials used: For all of my paintings I use the best materials possible. I paint using natural pigments mixed with linseed oil. I almost exclusively use Williamsburg oil paints, one of the highest quality paints available on the market. The painting itself will be protected with clear gloss varnish, which guards against dust, moisture and fading for up to 100 years. I see these paintings as family heirlooms that can be passed through generations. This varnish is removable should the painting require restorations at any point in the future.
Packaging: After protecting your finished painting with varnish, I wrap it in a non-stick brown paper, bubble wrap and box it up carefully to protect against any possibility of damage. The larger sizes will be in a side-loaded picture box which is designed specifically to protect paintings and other valuable artwork. Shipping will be invoiced separately. For larger sizes, 30x30 and up, I offer the option to have the canvas rolled and shipped free of charge. This almost 100% guarantees the safe arrival of your art and your framer will easily re-stretch it for you. (Framer fees for this service vary widely from completely free to upwards of $300 so this is something we will check on together before choosing this option!)
Process: If you are thinking of a commission, reach out! I am available to talk you through any questions, via email, DMs or even facetime, if you would like to show me the specific place you want painted, or even if you want my opinion on sizing for the room you plan to hang the painting in.
Once you select a size, you can pay me a deposit via venmo @lilykkeller or I will send you an invoice, as well as dates when I can begin your piece.
If you have any palette preferences, you can send those to me as well. Together we can discuss color choices, and decide on a cool or warm pallete, and natural/neutral colors versus a more vibrant palette. You can also go ahead and send me any photos of the place you would like painted. I will select which photos I believe offer the best composition that will translate well into a painting. I will then send you a basic contour sketch and a planned color palette to approve.
Once I begin the actual painting process, you will have regular updates via photo and video, and many opportunities to reqest changes or offer feedback. Anything can be changed at any time…nothing is ever set in stone. Once we have a final approval and you are completely happy with your painting, you will send me the remaining 50% payment, and a calculated shipping cost. Then your new commissioned art work will be on its way!
Any questions or to discuss a painting idea, just drop it in the form below and I’ll get back to you soon!