How to Commission an ACEO
Browsing eBay covers most collecting needs. But sometimes you want a specific portrait: your dog, a fictional character, a place you know. That requires a commission.
Commissioning an ACEO is not the same as buying a finished listing. It requires patience, clear communication, and realistic expectations about what fits in 2.5"x3.5". Follow this process.
1. Budget Appropriately
A custom ACEO is not a $15 impulse purchase. You are paying for the artist's time across sketching, revisions, and painting. A standard pet portrait runs $40 to $100 depending on the artist's demand and complexity.
2. Keep the Subject Simple
The canvas is 2.5"x3.5". That is the size of a playing card.
Do not request a family of six with three dogs in front of a detailed castle. The faces will be too small to read. The best commissions are focused: a single bust, a tight pet portrait, a stripped landscape. One clear subject.
3. Send Good Reference Photos
Do not send a blurry, dark photo taken from across the room. Send clear photos taken in natural light, from multiple angles if possible. Bad references produce bad paintings, and revision fees add up.
Copyright Basics
Buying a commission gives you the physical card. The artist retains the copyright and can sell prints of the same image unless you negotiate a separate buyout agreement. Clarify this upfront.