Turning Your View into a Work of Art
Many people reach out after seeing my work and ask,
“Do you have a painting from our lake?” or
“Would you ever paint this view?”
That’s often where a commissioned landscape painting begins — with a simple question and a shared connection to a place that means something.
As a Canadian landscape artist, I love helping clients transform their favourite lake, cottage view, or outdoor memory into a custom painting that tells their story.
I’m fortunate to paint scenes that are deeply familiar to so many: the quiet bays of Rideau Lakes, the pine-dotted islands of Frontenac, the calm reflections of Muskoka, or the open skies of Georgian Bay. These are more than landscapes — they’re part of people’s stories.
When someone tells me about a lake they grew up visiting, a cottage where generations have gathered, or a moment that captures their love of the outdoors, I see it as an invitation to collaborate — to bring their memory to life through colour, light, and texture.
1. A Personal Connection: Visiting Your Cottage or Lake
Whenever possible, I like to visit the location in person — to walk the shoreline, take in the light, and feel the atmosphere that makes it unique.
It’s not just about taking photos; it’s about understanding why a place matters. Sometimes, it’s the way the morning mist rises off the water, or how the late-afternoon sun hits a certain group of pines. Other times, it’s a small dock where family stories have been shared for years.
These visits are often my favourite part of the process — a chance to meet collectors in their element and understand what they truly love about their view. Every conversation adds a new layer of meaning to the final piece.
2. Questions I Ask When Starting a Commission
Before I begin a commission, I like to learn a little more about you and what draws you to this piece.
Every painting is personal — not just in subject, but in meaning — and these questions help me understand the story we’ll be telling together.
Here are some of the questions I often ask when we start:
Do you have a space in mind for the painting?
(It helps to know where it will live — a cottage wall, a living room, or a hallway where the light changes through the day.)Do you have a size in mind?
(Some people begin with an exact measurement; others decide once we’ve explored sketches and compositions.)Is the painting for you, or for someone else?
(Many commissions are gifts — a memory shared, a milestone celebrated, or a connection to a beloved place.)What has drawn you to my work and style of painting?
(Understanding what you connect with — the colour, light, or energy — helps me stay true to what inspired you in the first place.)Where did you first see my work?
(Perhaps through a show, a friend, or online at andrewdmilneart.com.)What is it about this commission process that excites you most?
(Some love being part of each stage; others prefer to be surprised by the final reveal.)What is the place or theme you’d like us to focus on together?
(A lake, a view from your dock, a family property, or even a moment in time you’d like captured.)Which pieces from my current body of work move you — and why?
(Your answer helps guide the palette and tone for your final piece.)
These conversations are one of my favourite parts of the process.
They turn an idea into a relationship — and a location into a living, breathing story on canvas.
3. From Inspiration to Sketch: Designing Your Custom Painting
Once I understand what draws you to a place — the curve of a shoreline, a favourite island, or the way light hits the water — I begin with a black-and-white sketch.
These sketches capture the essence of your chosen landscape or cottage view. They’re loose, fluid, and intuitive — focused on rhythm, balance, and movement rather than fine detail. At this stage, we start to find the focal point of the painting.
It’s not always what you might expect.
Sometimes it’s a small dock or a bend in the trees that naturally draws the eye; other times, it’s a reflection or ripple that carries the emotion of the place.
The sketch gives both of us a sense of how the finished work will feel — the flow of the water, the direction of the trees, the structure of the land.
It’s the framework for everything that comes next.
4. Adding Life with Colour: Choosing Your Palette and Light
This stage is where the painting begins to breathe.
Using watercolour and ink, I start to explore the atmosphere, light, and tone that will define the final piece.
It’s a chance to play with the light — to see how it moves across the scene, where it catches on the water, or where the shadows gather beneath the trees.
Light is central to my work, so this stage is essential to get right. It’s where the drama of the painting starts to appear — that emotional pull that gives a landscape its presence and depth.
Before moving on to the larger canvas, I invite each client to look through some of my earlier works in the gallery to identify what resonates with them — the time of day, tone, and season that best capture their vision.
Some are drawn to the warm golds and long shadows of late summer; others to the cool blues of early morning or the quiet mood of a misty fall day.
This helps clarify the colour palette I’ll use once I return to the studio and begin the final work.
By the end of this stage, we’ve not only set the visual direction but also the emotional tone — the heartbeat — of the painting itself.
5. The Final Painting: Bringing Your Landscape to Life
This is where things get truly interesting.
By this stage, most clients prefer to stand back and be surprised. They’ve seen the sketches, shared their preferences, and now want to let the creative process unfold.
I always stay true to the essence of the sketches we’ve developed together — the composition, the flow, the sense of place — but once I’m in the studio, I allow the painting to evolve.
Some details shift, colours deepen, and the light begins to carry its own rhythm. The dramatic tones become bolder, and the motion of the landscape comes to life — wind through the pines, reflections on the lake, light dancing across the surface.
Each brushstroke builds upon the last, layering movement and emotion until the piece feels balanced and alive.
When the painting is complete, I’ll share detailed photos or a short video tour so you can see the work before it’s prepared for delivery.
Almost always, clients tell me that moment feels like rediscovering the place all over again.
6. A Story You’ll Always Return To
Every commissioned painting tells a story — not just of a place, but of connection.
The process is about trust, collaboration, and emotion. It’s about slowing down long enough to see beauty in the places that define us, and translating that feeling onto canvas.
When you finally see the completed piece — whether it’s a cottage view, a quiet lake at dawn, or a trail that leads home — it’s not just art anymore.
It’s your story, painted in light, colour, and memory.
If you’re considering a commission, I’d love to hear from you.
Reach out through andrewdmilneart.com/commissions to start the conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a commissioned painting take?
Most projects take 4–8 weeks depending on size and complexity.
Do you ship commissioned artwork outside Canada?
Yes. I regularly ship safely across North America and overseas.
How much does a custom landscape painting cost?
Pricing varies by size and detail; a quote is provided after our first conversation.
Can you visit my lake or cottage to see the location?
Absolutely — whenever possible, I visit in person to capture the light, atmosphere, and feeling of your space.
What People are saying about my commission process:
Google Reviews: & Client Quotes:
“I wanted to find a piece of art that reminded me of home (Ontario, Canada) to be a centerpiece in our San Jose living room. The piece Andy designed for me is absolutely beautiful and just what I’d imagined. The design process was very easy, from the idea to the sketch and watercolor stages, even though I am not local. The colors of the artwork are so vibrant, and the piece was made to fit perfectly in our space. Andy also helped to pack up the art so I could take it home on the plane with me. Thank you Andy for the stunning piece.”
— Kristen, San Jose, CA
“I had been following Andrew’s work for a time and finally decided to speak to him about a commissioned piece. Am I ever glad I did!! Working with Andrew has exceeded anything I could have imagined and he truly captured the essence of what my husband and I envisioned. He brought our love of Frontenac Park to life with incredible detail, creativity and skill. The piece now has pride of place in our house and is the object of much adoration. When the sun shines through our window, the light reflects the shadows on the water in the piece, which is truly brings it to life. It is incredible. I highly recommend Andrew Milne to anyone looking for a talented artist who pours passion into his work in ways that go beyond.”
— Caroline Kayll 2024
“We have purchased several pieces of artwork from Andrew and love them all! He has a unique ability to breathe life into outdoor landscapes that showcase a captivating fusion of color and energy, almost as if he is channeling the very essence of nature itself, where the trees, water and clouds are in perpetual movement. We recently completed a renovation, and purchased a stunning piece from Andrew of Chaffey’s Lock - a familiar spot from our youth - and it is now a focal point of our main living room. We also commissioned a painting for my parent’s anniversary and to celebrate my father’s triumphant battle with cancer; and it is now one of their favorite pieces! If you like the outdoors, camping and/or cottage life, we highly recommend you take a look at what Andrew is up to, you won’t be disappointed.”
— Max and Kim
Read More here - Google Reviews: & Client Quotes:
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