Scope of Bespoke Commissions & Collaborative Journey
A bespoke fine art commission at Dream of Strokes is an intimate artistic partnership between a patron and our resident master artisans (Rohan Shahzad, Ahmad Abbas, Fasih-ur-Rehman, Talha Abuzar) or verified collective contributors.
Commissions encompass custom Quranic and Arabic calligraphy compositions (including Ayat al-Kursi, Surah Ar-Rahman, Asma-ul-Husna, personalized names, and classical Thuluth or Diwani script), architectural scale oil landscapes, portrait realism, and textured impasto palette-knife compositions tailored to your interior dimensions.
- Initial Consultation: The collector and artist establish the canvas dimensions, medium (acrylic on stretched Belgian linen, oil on triple-primed cotton, 24K genuine gold leaf, or textured impasto), color palette, script style, and completion timeframe.
- Formal Specification: A detailed written brief and formal quote are confirmed via WhatsApp or email prior to initiating any studio work.
The Mandatory 50% Commitment Deposit
To confirm a commission slot and initiate physical preparation, the collector must provide a strictly mandatory 50% upfront commitment deposit based on the agreed total quotation.
Why the 50% Deposit is Strictly Non-Refundable Once Work Begins
Unlike mass-produced merchandise, a custom commission involves immediate, irreversible studio investments: custom carpentry for solid timber stretcher frames built to non-standard dimensions, hand-stretching archival canvas, multi-coat gesso priming, procurement of specialized European pigments (Winsor & Newton / Liquitex), genuine 24K gold leaf, and reserving exclusive easel time on the artist's production calendar.
- Slot Reservation: Commission requests are queued in chronological order of received deposits. No drafting, canvas stretching, or material allocation occurs prior to cleared deposit funds.
- Deposit Methods: Direct bank wire transfer (IBAN), Roshan Digital Account, Raast instant transfer, Western Union, or Payoneer for overseas international patrons.
Milestone Progress Reviews & Live Video Proofs
We believe in complete artistic transparency. Throughout the creation of your masterpiece, the assigned artist provides documented milestone updates directly via WhatsApp:
- Milestone 1 — Script & Structural Layout: The initial compositional blocking, calligraphy script proportions, letter spacing, and verse placement are reviewed prior to heavy pigment application.
- Milestone 2 — Underpainting & Tonal Depth: The foundational paint washes, architectural color harmony, and background gradient layering are photographed under natural daylight and studio lamps.
- Milestone 3 — Final Detailing & 360° Video Proof: High-relief palette knife impasto textures, 24K gold leaf illumination, final calligraphic diacritics, and archival varnish protection are revealed via high-definition 4K video showing texture angles and light reflection.
Minor Adjustments & Scope Governance
Art is an evolving medium. To guarantee collector satisfaction within the agreed aesthetic concept:
- Two (2) Complimentary Revision Rounds: Collectors are entitled to up to two rounds of reasonable minor adjustments (e.g. deepening a background shade, intensifying a gold leaf accent, or softening an edge transition) during the active painting phase.
- Major Scope Changes: Requests that alter the foundational brief (such as altering the entire Quranic verse, requesting different calligraphy script styles after ink application, or changing canvas dimensions after stretching) are considered new commissions and will incur supplementary material and labor charges.
Final Balance Settlement (50%) & Wooden Crating
Upon completing the artwork and receiving the collector’s formal written sign-off via WhatsApp or email:
- Settlement of the Remaining 50%: The remaining 50% balance (plus any requested custom floating frames or international air freight fees) must be settled in full prior to packaging.
- Curing & Archival Varnishing: The completed canvas undergoes 48 to 72 hours of controlled curing and is sealed with UV-resistant archival gloss or satin varnish.
- Solid Timber Crating & Dispatch: The dry painting is encased in museum-grade solid wooden crating and dispatched with full door-to-door tracking. Details are available on our Shipping & Returns Policy.
Order Cancellation Policy
We understand that unforeseen collector circumstances may arise. Cancellation rights are structured based on the stage of studio production:
- Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Deposit (Before Physical Work Begins): If the client cancels within 24 hours of payment and before timber stretcher milling or canvas sizing has commenced, the collector is eligible for an 80% refund of the deposit (20% is retained to cover payment processing, bank fees, and administrative consultation costs).
- Cancellation After Physical Studio Work Begins: Once canvas stretching, gesso priming, or paint application has started, the 50% commitment deposit is completely non-refundable and forfeited. The deposit compensates the artist for non-recoverable materials, custom stretcher carpentry, and allocated easel hours. The collector will not be billed for the remaining 50% balance.
Policy: What Happens If the Buyer Rejects the Final Painting?
While our milestone review process virtually eliminates surprises, in the rare event that a collector rejects the completed painting upon final video review, the following fair, definitive resolution protocol applies:
Four-Point Rejection Resolution Framework
1. Remedial Revision Opportunity: If the rejection is based on specific technical elements that diverge from the approved Milestone 1 and 2 drafts, the artist will conduct one (1) targeted remedial touch-up session at no additional cost to resolve the client’s concerns.
2. No Obligation for Remaining Balance: If, after remedial attempts, the buyer unequivocally rejects the artwork and declines acceptance, the buyer is NOT obligated to pay the remaining 50% balance. The transaction is immediately terminated.
3. The 50% Deposit Remains Non-Refundable: The initial 50% deposit is retained by the artist and studio as liquidated damages to offset the actual costs of custom stretcher timber, primed linen, imported pigments, genuine gold leaf, and dozens of hours of manual labor.
4. Zero Physical Delivery: Under no circumstances will a rejected painting be crated or dispatched to the client. The buyer has zero physical claim to the physical canvas.
Studio Artwork Ownership, Repurposing & Gallery Resale
When a custom painting is rejected and the transaction terminated under Section 07:
- Complete Title & Copyright Retention: Full legal ownership, intellectual property rights, physical possession, and artistic copyright remain exclusively with the artist and Dream of Strokes.
- Studio Right to Repurpose & Public Sale: The artist reserves the absolute, unconditional right to complete, modify, re-title, sign, and list the artwork in the Dream of Strokes public gallery, offer it to other collectors, or exhibit it in gallery showcases at whatever price the studio determines.
- Special Exception for Private Personalizations: If the commission involved specific personal family names, private portraits, or custom family crests that cannot be ethically exhibited or resold, the artist reserves the right to paint over the canvas, repurpose the timber stretcher frame, or destroy the substrate at the studio's sole discretion with no further liability to either party.
Marketplace Disclaimer & Direct Artist Contracting
When patrons commission artworks from independent resident sellers featured on the Dream of Strokes directory, the commission agreement constitutes a direct contract between the collector and the individual artist.
Founder Non-Liability for Direct Commissions
The website owners and founders do not act as an escrow agent or commercial guarantor for independent seller commissions. While we thoroughly verify our resident artist roster, the platform founders bear no liability for dispute resolution, artistic differences, transit damage, or third-party seller disagreements. Buyers are advised to maintain all milestone communications in writing and verify progress videos before releasing final balance funds. See Terms of Service Section 07 for full details.
Commission Inquiries & Atelier Concierge
Ready to begin your custom art commission or have questions regarding sizing, verse selection, or milestone scheduling? Connect with our master artisans directly:
- Direct Atelier WhatsApp: +92 337 4515580 (Instant Commission Desk)
- Atelier Email: dreamofstrokes@gmail.com
- Online Commission Request Form: Submit Custom Commission Inquiry