Painting requests · For collectors
The painting you want doesn't exist yet. Ask for it.
Describe it once. Verified artists apply to paint it, you choose the one whose work you love, and you pay only after they have signed up to paint it.
Progress photographs within 4 days of payment, or the painting moves to your next choice.
How a painting request works
Step 1
Describe the painting
Subject, mood, colours, size, paint, and the room it will hang in. Add photographs if they help: a place, a person, a painting whose feeling you like.
Step 2
We review it and confirm the price
Art Sutra reads every request, agrees the price with you against your budget, and publishes the brief to verified artists without your name or contact details.
Step 3
Artists apply
Each applicant sends a note on how they would paint it, how long it will take, and up to three of their own works. You see every application.
Step 4
You choose, with backups
Pick the artist you want and, if you like, keep others as backups in order. If your first choice cannot take it, the next one is asked straight away.
Step 5
Pay once your artist accepts
Your artist accepts a contract for this one painting before you pay anything. Then you pay through the same secure checkout as every Art Sutra order.
Step 6
See it in progress, then at your door
Within 4 days your artist shows the painting 20–30% complete. We check the photographs, you see them, and the finished work is delivered to you.
Progress you can see, not a promise you wait on
Within 4 days of your payment, your artist uploads photographs of the painting 20–30% complete. We check them before they reach you.
No photographs in time, and the painting passes to your next backup with a fresh contract. Your payment stays with the order; you never pay twice.
Your name, email, phone and address stay with Art Sutra. Artists see the brief and your references only.
For artists: paint for someone who already wants it
Verified Art Sutra artists see every open request in their studio. Apply with a note, your timeline and three of your works. If you are chosen, you accept a contract for that one painting before the collector pays.
Your share is the same as for an original you sell here, and it arrives in your wallet once the painting is delivered and its return window has closed. Withdraw it whenever you like.
Questions
How is the price decided?
You give a budget with your request. Before anything is published, Art Sutra confirms the price for the painting with you, based on its size, medium and detail. Artists apply at that price, so there is no bidding and no surprise later.
When do I pay?
Only after the artist you chose has accepted the contract for your painting. Until then nothing is charged. Delivery is shown separately before you pay.
What if the artist does not start?
The artist has 4 days from your payment to show the painting 20–30% complete. If they do not, the painting passes to your next backup, or opens to artists again if you have none. Your payment stays with the order; you never pay twice.
Who sees my name and details?
Only Art Sutra. Artists read the brief we publish and your reference photographs. They never see your name, email, phone or address, and they talk to you only through us.
Who are the artists?
Art Sutra artists whose identity a curator has verified. Only verified artists can see open requests or apply to them.
Can I cancel?
Yes, any time before you pay, from your account. Once the painting is paid for and under way, write to support@theartsutra.com quoting your request reference and we will help.