Should I be open to taking commissions even if I'm not sure I want to do them?

Yes, absolutely open yourself up to commissions, whether you have any real inclination to do them long-term or not. Commissions represent someone saying ‘I really like your artistic style, I have money, and I want to pay you to create something specific.’ This becomes an incredibly valuable early-stage idea factory. You learn what people want, what they’re willing to pay for, and you get immediate validation of your style. It’s direct market feedback with payment attached. But you must let people know you’re open for commissions and actively taking them—don’t assume they’ll know. Make it visible in your marketing.

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Asked by general teaching point · Answered by Patrick · Art Business Webinar · 2026-07-24