“Could you paint a portrait of my wife?” Sometimes you might also hear, “Please paint the view from this window in summer,” or, “Could you paint a part of this city? I’d like to remember my stay here — it was exceptionally meaningful.” The subject is chosen. Soon, we’ll decide on the technique and format. In two months, the painting will be ready. This particular client admitted he doesn’t know much about painting. Still, I always strive to create a good image. So I will now, too. The chances of success increase if I find something in the task that genuinely interests me. What might it be this time? Perhaps the color palette, or a composition unlike any I’ve done before — maybe even the format itself. It doesn’t matter what, as long as it belongs to the realm of painting itself. A good painting can only emerge when the artist is genuinely engaged with the strictly painterly aspects of the work.
Yet rarely does a commission touch on those. More often, it’s about something else entirely — for instance, the idea of a gift. “I’d like to order a painting as a present for someone. It can be as large as 1 by 2 meters. It should be well painted, although I don’t know anything about painting.” The subject — broadly speaking — is also part of the painting’s story. But it’s not always about the subject. It’s not even about the general approach to painting. I’m thinking of something else. If someone wants a painting and only specifies the format, the artist must consider other elements. Perhaps the theme resonates with him at that moment. More often, it doesn’t. A commission usually comes as a surprise. The artist then wonders whether to add a favourite technique or topic to the requested format. He should add something he loves — something that belongs to the world of painting. That way, working on the piece becomes a cherished experience, not a burdensome one. And then, the painting has a better chance of being good. Creative work requires talent. And talent thrives when it’s engaged with things that belong to its own domain.