Dennis Crayon Realist Contemporary Realism

I am an active member of Washington, D.C.’s artistic community. My work has been shown locally and nationally.

I participated in a six-week archeological at Pompeii in 1998, I was privy to sights that have shape and directed my artistic vision to this day.
We had access into a lot of the houses that tourists don’t get into. One of the houses had these incredible fresco paintings that in some places looked as fresh as the day they were painted and in other places were really beat up because of the destruction from Vesuvius. Some of the areas had just been so protected, you could see the brushstrokes...and all the incredible realism, and then you’d also have the deterioration in the walls.

I’ve earn a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from the State University of New York and later earned a diploma from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston in painting.  It was there that he began to learn classical painting.  I later moved to Washington, D.C., and studied at the Zoll Studio of Fine Art in Timonium, Maryland, fully delving into classical painting techniques and trompe l’oeil.

Commissioning A Painting

Where do You Start?

What is a Commissioned Painting
If you have a specific location, family member or beloved pet or wildlife you would like to have painted you need to find an artist to make your custom painting. Just like any custom made or built item you need to find someone to make it as well as find out the cost and discuss the date for the project to be completed. Once you find the artist you want to create your image the artist then creates your painting and you have your custom image to enjoy. That sounds all good and well but how do you find an artist to commission a painting.

How to Find an Artist to commission
Not all artists do commissioned paintings. Where do you find an artist for your commission? You want an artist you can count on who does commissions and has a good reputation with creating them. You can certainly start by searching on the internet for artists but that can be a hit and miss option. The simplest place to start is with your local or nearby art gallery this gives you a chance to find local artists and find out from the gallery owner which of the artists does commissions. Another way is to search art magazines such as Southwest art, Art of the West or American Artist magazines these magazines showcase national artist with solid reputations and consistent quality. Just remember that the more established and well know the artist is the likely the more expensive the commission will cost. Whichever way you use to locate the artist whose artwork you enjoy and who does commissions you will then need to discuss you project, the cost and the date needed to have the artwork completed. To make sure the commission is an enjoyable experience a few things will help and it’s all in the details.

Details Details Details
When I am working on a commission painting there are several steps which are outlined in my contracts. These steps are detailed and the client is involved in each step along the way. There is a date for client approval of a rough sketch, final drawing, small comp painting and then the final painting. This way there are no surprises for either the client or myself. This also allows for small corrections to the project throughout the process so everyone is happy with the final project.

Q: How will my painting be shipped to me?

A: By default, your painting will be shipped to you using the Priority Mail service of the United States Postal Service. Over time, we have found this to be best and most reliable method for shipping artwork, and brings highest value to collectors. Please use the contact form at the bottom of this page if you would like to discuss a different shipping option. Q: What is included in the shipping cost? The shipping cost has been configured to give you optimal value and security. In addition to the base Priority Mail shipping rate, your painting will be insured for its full purchase price during shipment. Signature Confirmation service is also included to ensure your painting is delivered into the hands of an actual person. (If signing for your painting is inconvenient for you, it may be omitted by special request in the Order Notes field on the checkout page).The slight increase in the shipping charge for these premium services is far offset by the peace of mind they bring.

Q: Is my painting insured during shipping? Yes. Your painting is insured during shipment for its full purchase price.

Q: How will my painting be shipped to me? A: By default, your painting will be shipped to you using the Priority Mail service of the United States Postal Service. Over time, we have found this to be best and most reliable method for shipping artwork, and brings highest value to collectors. Please use the contact form at the bottom of this page if you would like to discuss a different shipping option.

Q: Is my painting insured during shipping? Yes. Your painting is insured during shipment for its full purchase price. Q: How will my painting be shipped to me? A: By default, your painting will be shipped to you using the Priority Mail service of the United States Postal Service. Over time, we have found this to be best and most reliable method for shipping artwork, and brings highest value to collectors. Please use the contact form at the bottom of this page if you would like to discuss a different shipping option. Q: What is included in the shipping cost? The shipping cost has been configured to give you optimal value and security. In addition to the base Priority Mail shipping rate, your painting will be insured for its full purchase price during shipment. Signature Confirmation service is also included to ensure your painting is delivered into the hands of an actual person. (If signing for your painting is inconvenient for you, it may be omitted by special request in the Order Notes field on the checkout page).The slight increase in the shipping charge for these premium services is far offset by the peace of mind they bring.

Q: Is my painting insured during shipping? Yes. Your painting is insured during shipment for its full purchase price.