My First Commission: 8 works on paper
I really love any challenge that pushes me outside of my comfort zone and this commission was one of them. My dear friend Grace asked me to paint a new A3 piece on paper for her newly decorated bedroom. I haven’t taken on commissions before, mainly because of the theme or colour constraints I would have to put on myself. I love working with restricted palettes, but knowing I had to stick to certain colour choices felt both inhibiting and exciting. This time I knew that I was ready for this opportunity.
Colour inspirations
I picked more muted, earthy and subtle colours to match Grace’s interiors and accessories. Soft pale green, mauve pinks, off whites and brownish blues gave me a great mixing palette to work from. This feminine and delicate colour base also helped me to create a soothing and intimate harmony across all layers and textures. I really wanted to capture the sense of movement, transition, gentleness and beauty that we encounter in our surroundings. I also liked the idea of creating interest through multiple paint applications, to represent the complexity of life beneath calmness and composure. I knew that depicting a “feeling” within this series would be much more powerful than trying to follow a fixed concept.
The painting process
I decided to make a series of 8 paintings so we would have plenty of options to pick from. Creating a series of works always allows for more experimentation and freedom. Also, the whole painting process feels less precious, especially when bolder brushstrokes, marks and mistakes are allowed to happen. These “failures” often lead me in a new direction and inform my next decision. The key is to allow myself to make these uncomfortable turns and work through the process of finding the composition and lightness in each piece. Grace picked two paintings from the collection, which formed a great set that complemented each other. Below are the remaining five paintings from the series - each piece is unique, but part of the same story.
“I recently commissioned two paintings, and I’m absolutely delighted with them. They’re beautiful, thoughtfully crafted, and exactly what I had envisioned. The attention to detail is exceptional, and the whole process, from discussing ideas to receiving the finished pieces, was smooth, clear, and genuinely enjoyable. I’m so impressed with both the quality of the artwork and the level of care throughout. I’d highly recommend Magda’s work to anyone looking for something truly special.”
