Commissions

The Artwork

Each commission is an original hand-inked illustration. Dip pen work is a slow and wonderfully particular process. Every line is drawn by hand. The marks are not mechanically perfect, and that’s part of their beauty. Some lines may carry the slight tremor of a human hand and some areas may hold ink a little heavier. The small variations are not flaws; they are evidence of the process. They are what make the work alive, singular, and yours.

I want these pieces to feel considered and already a little storied on their own—as though they could have come from a beloved book or a field guide to something half-real.

The Process

Commissions begin with a conversation. We’ll discuss your vision for the piece, including mood, subject matter, important details, and any reference images you’d like me to see. For authors or bookish clients, this might include character descriptions, excerpts, setting notes, symbolic objects, costume references, or the emotional tone you want the piece to carry.

From there, I’ll sketch a few rough ideas for us to discuss. These are loose and exploratory, meant to help us find the right composition and direction before anything becomes too fixed.

Once we’ve made the main decisions, I’ll create a more detailed sketch for approval. This is the stage where we can make thoughtful adjustments to the drawing before ink enters into the equation.

After the final sketch is approved, I begin inking. Because the India ink is permanent, major changes are no longer possible once the piece moves into the final ink stage. This is also where the illustration comes fully to life: line by line, shadow by shadow, with all the small decisions and textures that make hand-drawn work feel human.

Once the piece has dried, I will scan it and create a digital copy for you to use and share, before sending the final original to you via mail.

A Note on Style

My work tends toward the whimsical, strange, folkloric, and storybook-adjacent. I’m happiest making pieces with a sense of mood, texture, and narrative. I’m not currently offering portraits in a highly realistic style, pet portraits, logo design, blockprints, painted commissions, or digital-only commissions.

Possible subjects include character illustrations, book-inspired pieces, author keepsakes, literary scenes, meaningful homes or landscapes, symbolic objects, botanicals, animals, creatures, and other narrative artwork.

I’m especially excited to work with authors, readers, and bookish folk who want artwork that feels personal, atmospheric, and rooted in story.

When we have the initial discussion, I’ll be honest with you if I feel something is out of my scope or comfort range. I want us both to enjoy the process!

Revisions

Each commission includes discussion at the concept stage, rough sketches, and one detailed sketch for approval before inking begins.

Changes are welcome during the sketch stages. Once the final sketch has been approved and inking has begun, revisions are limited to what can be adjusted within the medium (generally additive, not subtractive).

Because this is hand-inked original artwork, the final piece may include slight variations from the approved sketch. That is the nature of the process, and part of what makes each commission unique.

Usage

Commissions are intended for personal use unless otherwise discussed. Personal use includes displaying the original artwork in your home, giving it as a gift, or sharing images of it on your social media with credit.

I’m happy to discuss promotional usage rights. This may include non-retail use of the artwork in connection with a book or creative project, such as sharing it on your website, newsletter, social media, press materials, bookplates, or other promotional materials.

Commercial usage rights are separate and apply to any use where the artwork will be reproduced on items for sale or otherwise used as part of a retail product. This includes merchandise, prints, special editions, book covers, interior publication, packaging, or any product where the illustration itself adds commercial value.

All usage terms will be outlined in more detail in a commission agreement. As the artist, I retain the copyright to the artwork unless otherwise agreed in writing.

How to Request a Commission – COMMISSIONS CURRENTLY CLOSED

When I open to commissions, I will alert newsletter subscribers first, and then indicate on this page. Please only inquire when I’m open!

To inquire, send a note with a few details about what you have in mind. Helpful things to include:

• The subject or idea for the piece with a few details

• Whether the piece is personal or connected to a book, author project, or publication

• Any important deadlines

• No need for reference images or detailed descriptions just yet

I’ll review each inquiry and let you know whether the project feels like a good fit for my current availability and medium, and send along a full detail sheet with pricing and logistics.

Thank you for trusting my ink-covered hands with your stories, characters, strange creatures, meaningful places, and beloved little details.