COMMISSION AN ORIGINAL PAINTING

Turn a person, vehicle, animal, place, or meaningful memory into a one-of-one work of art.

Schuyler Ferris creates custom paintings in his expressive realism style, combining accurate drawing with cinematic color, dramatic light, and visible brushwork. Each commission is individually planned and painted by hand in the SkyzEye studio.

A PAINTING CREATED AROUND YOUR STORY

A commissioned painting should be more than a reproduction of a photograph. It should preserve the character, atmosphere, and emotion of the subject while becoming a finished work of art in its own right.

Schuyler works directly with each collector to develop the composition, color, scale, and overall feeling of the painting. Existing photographs may be used as references, or a custom photography session may be arranged when location and subject access permit.

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COMMISSION SUBJECTS

Portraits

Individual portraits, couples, families, musicians, performers, and character-driven concepts created with attention to likeness, personality, lighting, and expression.

Automotive paintings

Classic cars, trucks, race cars, motorcycles, and personally meaningful vehicles painted in a setting that gives the subject atmosphere and presence.

When practical, Schuyler can photograph the vehicle and develop an original composition from the session.

Western and animal subjects

Horses, livestock, working animals, ranch scenes, and Western subjects interpreted through dramatic light, movement, and expressive color.

Places and meaningful scenes

Homes, businesses, landscapes, local landmarks, and locations connected to an important memory or chapter of life.

Conceptual commissions

Book covers, album artwork, imaginative portraits, and narrative paintings developed collaboratively from an original idea

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HOW THE COMMISSION PROCESS WORKS

1. Initial inquiry

Share the subject, preferred size, reference photographs, intended display location, and any important date or deadline.

2. Creative consultation

Schuyler will review the project and discuss the composition, dimensions, materials, color direction, photography needs, timeline, and budget.

3. Proposal and deposit

Once the scope is established, you will receive a written proposal outlining the painting, price, estimated timeline, and delivery arrangements.

A 50% nonrefundable deposit reserves the project and allows work to begin.

4. Painting process

The painting is developed by hand in the SkyzEye studio. Progress photographs may be shared at selected stages when appropriate.

Minor adjustments that remain within the approved concept can be discussed during the process. Major changes to the subject or composition may require an additional fee.

5. Completion and delivery

The remaining balance is due when the painting is complete and before shipment or delivery.

The finished work is signed by the artist and includes a certificate of authenticity.

PRICING AND TIMELINE

Commission pricing is based on:

  • Painting dimensions

  • Number of subjects

  • Complexity of the composition

  • Reference quality

  • Photography requirements

  • Surface and framing

  • Shipping or delivery

  • Requested completion date

Most commissions require several weeks to several months, depending on size, complexity, drying time, and the existing studio schedule.

Projects needed for a specific birthday, anniversary, exhibition, publication, or holiday should be requested as early as possible.

After reviewing the inquiry, Schuyler will provide a clear project price before a deposit is requested.

REFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHS

Strong reference material allows for a stronger finished painting.

Whenever possible, photographs should be:

  • Clear and in focus

  • Large enough to show important details

  • Taken in natural or well-controlled light

  • Free from heavy filters

  • Photographed from a useful and intentional angle

Multiple photographs may be combined when necessary, but the lighting and perspective must be compatible.

For automotive paintings, an original photography session can often produce a more distinctive result than working from an ordinary snapshot.

IMPORTANT COMMISSION INFORMATION

Every commissioned painting is an original work created in Schuyler Ferris’s established artistic style. The finished painting will reflect the approved subject and concept while retaining the artist’s judgment regarding color, brushwork, edges, lighting, and interpretation.

The collector is responsible for having permission to use any supplied professional photographs, logos, characters, trademarks, or other protected reference material.

Ownership of the physical painting transfers to the collector after final payment. Copyright and reproduction rights remain with Schuyler Ferris and SkyzEye unless a separate written licensing agreement is included in the project.

Schuyler may photograph and display the completed artwork on his website, portfolio, exhibitions, social media, and promotional materials unless privacy arrangements are agreed upon in writing before work begins.

Shipping, delivery, installation, and framing are quoted separately when applicable.