Commission a one-of-a-kind oil painting
Turn a meaningful place, memory, person or story into a hand-painted original by Wisconsin artist Dan Howard.
How it works
Place Your Order
Start by selecting your preferred painting size and completing the commission form at checkout. You’ll be asked to share your idea—and any reference photos if you have them.Collaborate with Dan
Once your order is received, Dan will personally reach out to talk through your vision, ask a few questions, and help shape the concept into something beautiful.Choose Your Sketch Dan will create a few preliminary sketches. You get to choose your favorite—this will be the foundation for your final painting.
Watch the Magic Unfold
The painting process begins! You’ll receive photo updates along the way so you can see your piece coming to life.Final Approval
When the painting is about 90% complete, we’ll check in to make sure everything feels just right. Small adjustments can be made if needed.Finishing Touches
Dan will sign, varnish, frame, and certify your artwork with care. Every piece is professionally finished and ready to hang.Safe & Secure Shipping
Your painting will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail, fully tracked and insured.
Typical turnaround time: ~4 weeks from order to delivery.
Let’s Bring Your Vision to Life!
Every painting starts with a story. I’d love to hear yours—no commitment, no pressure. Just reach out, and we’ll see where it leads.
Commission questions
A few useful things to know before we begin. If your question isn’t covered here, just ask—I’m happy to talk through the possibilities.
What subjects can you paint?
Locations, buildings, landscapes and favorite places are at the heart of my commission work. I also paint people, but my style is post-impressionist, so faces and other specific human details are suggested rather than tightly defined. Traditional portraits aren’t usually my jam.
How good do my reference photographs need to be?
I can work with whatever you have. If you have reference photographs, great. If you have a favorite place but no photographs, I can research it and get a good feel for the location. When a project calls for it, I’m also willing to travel and take my own reference photographs.
Can several photographs be combined?
Absolutely. I’m very flexible, and that’s one of the great things about painting and commissions: we can combine references and shape the scene into whatever it needs to be.
What kinds of changes are included?
Changes are usually minor. We’ll work together at the beginning to agree on the scene, angle and overall feeling, so major changes shouldn’t be necessary. But if you’re not happy, we’ll keep working until you are.
Is framing included?
Yes, framing is included. If you already have a frame in mind, let me know and I’ll ship the painting in a protective holder so you can frame it yourself.
When is payment taken?
Payment is taken when you place your order.
What if I need the painting by a particular date?
Let me know as early as possible. Oil paintings can take a long time to dry, so very short turnaround times—especially less than a week—often aren’t possible.
Do you ship outside the United States?
Yes, I ship commissions internationally.
Ready to bring your idea to life?
Choose a painting size to place your order, or send me a note first. There’s no pressure—I’m happy to hear your idea and help you decide what will work best.