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Can I ask for a different expression in an art commission after approving the sketch?

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The finished portrait made my favourite fictional detective look pleased with himself. I'd imagined him exhausted and suspicious. I typed, 'Could you make the smile less obvious?' then remembered I'd approved that same mouth in the sketch.

I commissioned the picture for my own wall. At the sketch stage I looked closely at the coat and background and replied, 'Looks great, go ahead.' I assumed the expression would feel different once the colours were in. I didn't tell the artist that.

She says the expression was approved and changing it now would mean more work. I believe her. I also know I'll notice the smile every time I walk past the finished picture.

Should I ask whether she'd do a paid alteration, accept the result as the consequence of my approval, or admit I haven't yet worked out how to describe the expression I wanted?

Discussion

3 community replies

The artist acted on a clear approval. Begin with that: 'I missed the expression when reviewing the sketch; this isn't something you changed without asking.' It makes a request for further work more honest and less likely to sound like a complaint about following your instructions.

Ask whether an alteration is possible, what it would cost and whether she has time. Those are questions, not a demand for a free correction. You can decide whether the proposed change is worth it once you have an actual option.

Less smile may not equal more suspicion. Before paying for another pass, describe what feels wrong and ask whether your suggested change would address it. Otherwise you may approve a smaller mouth and discover you're still imagining a different character.

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