How to Commission a Custom Abstract Painting in Portugal
I get asked the same question in almost every message that lands in my inbox: “How does commissioning a painting actually work?” People love the idea of owning something made just for them, but the process can feel like a mystery — especially if you’ve never done it before. So here’s the honest, step-by-step version, from someone who paints every one of these pieces herself, in my studio in Setúbal, Portugal.
Why commission a painting instead of buying one ready-made
A commissioned piece isn't just a painting — it's a decision made together. You bring the context: the wall it will live on, the light in the room, the colours already there, the feeling you want to walk into. I bring the brush, the palette, and nine years of translating that kind of brief into colour. The result is a piece that fits a space the way nothing off-the-shelf ever quite can, and it becomes part of your story, not just your decor.
How the process works, step by step
1. You reach out. A message through the commission page is enough to start, no need to have everything figured out. Tell me about the space, a colour you're drawn to, or a feeling you want the room to hold.
2. We talk it through. I'll ask questions about scale, palette, and mood, and I'm always happy to look at reference photos of the room, other art you love, or even a coat you can't stop thinking about. This is the part where vague ideas turn into a real direction.
3. I paint. Once we've agreed on the direction, I start work in the studio. Every piece is hand-painted on paper or cotton canvas, nothing printed, nothing repeated.
4. Delivery. Minimum delivery time is 3 weeks, though it's sometimes shorter depending on what's already in progress. Original paintings currently ship within Europe.
What to bring to your first message
You don't need a fully formed brief. It genuinely helps if you can share:
A few photos of the space, even a messy phone snap
Colours you're naturally drawn to (or ones you want to avoid)
Roughly how large a piece you're picturing
Any art, textiles, or objects already in the room
If all you have is a feeling — "calm," "bold," "like the sea in October" — that's more than enough to start.
Looking for an art commission near you in Portugal?
I'm based in Setúbal, and while most of the process happens online : messages, photos, colour conversations many of my commission clients are elsewhere in Portugal or across Europe, and a few have visited the studio in person. Original paintings ship within Europe; if you're further afield, get in touch and we'll figure out what's possible
Ready to start?
Every commission begins with a conversation, not a contract. If you've got a wall that's been waiting for the right piece, request a commission here and let's talk about what it could become.
