Before You Take Art Commissions, Ask Yourself These 2 Questions

ayestheticsart
6 days ago
5 min read

Taking art commissions can be an incredible way to earn income from your creativity, connect with clients who value your work, and grow your art practice in a purposeful way.

But jumping in without clarity can lead to undercharging, burnout, and frustration.

When I first started offering commissions, I assumed being “open for orders” was enough. But without real clarity, I ended up undercharging, burning out, and attracting projects that didn’t really excite me.

That’s why I always come back to two key questions when navigating commissions:

What’s my niche?
What’s my why?

Whether you're just starting out or refining your offers, these questions are foundational. They shape your pricing, your clients, your confidence, and ultimately, your satisfaction as an artist!

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1. What’s Your Niche? (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)

Your niche is the specific type of art you want to be known for. It helps you stand out, attract the right clients, and build a brand that reflects your strengths. That’s not to say you can’t evolve over time, but when you’re starting out, having one defined offering can make a huge difference.

A common worry is that choosing a niche will limit your creativity. But in reality, a clear niche is more like a launchpad than a cage - it gives you direction without boxing you in. You can always explore and expand your range later, but having an anchor point early on helps potential clients understand what you do and why they should work with you.

Your niche is more than just your style or subject, it’s the sweet spot where your interests, skills, and audience needs overlap. This could be realism portraits, pet drawings, digital character art, or custom home illustrations. Whatever it is, the clearer your niche, the easier it is for clients to understand what you offer and why they should choose you.

A well-defined niche:

Builds your reputation faster
Helps you stand out on social media
Makes your offers clearer and more compelling

If you’re struggling to narrow things down, start by asking:

What kind of art energises me?
What do people often ask me to create?
What am I proudest to share?

A woman with braided hair poses in a blue-lit room. Beside her, a grayscale realistic drawing of the photo. Text: AYEESTHETICSART, @aye.sthetics.

Defining your niche (The Ikigai Test)

Once you’ve started defining your niche, the next step is making sure it aligns with your values and goals. This is where the concept of ikigai comes in, a Japanese philosophy meaning “a reason for being.”

In your art business, ikigai represents the intersection of four powerful questions:

1. What You Love (Passion):

Think about the types of art that bring you joy. What subjects or styles do you naturally gravitate towards? Are there certain mediums (like pencil, digital, or paint) or themes (like people, emotions, or nature) that light you up every time you create?

→ Action: Write down the styles, subjects, and themes that energise you most.

2. What You’re Good At (Skills):

Take stock of the areas where your skills shine. Whether it’s technical drawing, character design, or unique stylistic approaches, what are you confident doing, and what are you constantly improving?

→ Action: List the techniques and strengths you already have or are developing.

3. What the World Needs (Demand):

Look at what’s already popular in the commission space - like personalised portraits, pet art, or fan-based illustrations. Consider how your art can fulfil a need, tell a story, or create something meaningful for others.

→ Action: Research commission trends and think about what clients regularly seek from artists, and where there may be room for more.

4. What You Can Be Paid For (Market Potential):

Evaluate which types of art clients are willing to pay for, and how much. Are there types of commissions that make financial sense based on the time and effort involved?

→ Action: Check how other artists price similar work, and find what could be both profitable and sustainable for you.

By finding the sweet spot where these four areas overlap, you’ll be able to carve out a commission niche that’s not only creatively fulfilling, but also in demand and financially viable. This clarity helps guide your offerings, pricing, marketing, and the types of clients you want to attract.

I actually walk through this exercise in the free first chapter of my Art Commissions 101 eBook and Workbook, guiding you in finding your Ikigai and using it as a foundation for everything you build after!

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2. What’s Your Why?

Many artists dive into commissions because they’re told it’s a “good way to make money”, and it absolutely can be, but without a personal reason behind it, burnout can creep in fast.

Your why is the emotional anchor that keeps you going when things get challenging (and trust me, they will). It’s what helps you push through a difficult client brief, stay motivated during slower seasons, or keep creating even when imposter syndrome creeps in.

Your why doesn’t have to be profound. It could be to support your family, build financial independence, or simply share meaningful art with others. Maybe it’s the joy you feel when someone cries happy tears after seeing a portrait you made. Maybe it’s the freedom to work from home. There’s no right or wrong answer, just one that’s true for you!

To start discovering your own why, reflect on these questions:

What excites you most about creating art for other people?
What do you hope this will bring into your life - financial freedom, creative fulfilment, flexibility? etc.
How do you want people to feel when they receive your artwork?
Are there specific types of commissions or clients you feel most excited to work with?

In the first free chapter of Art Commissions 101, I walk you through a guided reflection exercise to help you go deeper into your why, and connect it with your niche. This clarity isn’t just good for your mindset, it’s key to building a business that feels aligned and sustainable.

When you’re rooted in purpose, clients can sense it. Your passion becomes part of your brand, making you more memorable and trustworthy!

✨ Want More Support?

If you’re ready to take commissions seriously but don’t know where to start, download Chapter 1 of Art Commissions 101 for free!

Inside, you’ll find step-by-step guidance, practical worksheets and tips from an artist whose been through it just like you, to help you define your niche and get clear on your why.

When you're clear on these answers, you're not just making art. You're building a creative business with purpose.