An Online Course Developed by Alan Douglas Ray, AFCA
At FCA Toronto’s last Art Chat on May 12, 2026, Alan presented his workshop on art commissions. The content is now available online for free for FCA Toronto artists to review.
Course Overview
“Am I going to lose money?” / “Am I losing my mind?” Have you ever taken on an art commission and asked yourself these questions before starting? Before finishing? Step into Delft, the Netherlands, 1674. Over drinks at the Flying Fox tavern, our best friend Johannes Vermeer tells us about a wealthy couple who want to commission a large double portrait of themselves. Should he accept the commission or decline? Help him decide.
In The Commission Game, you’ll learn how to qualify opportunities, to spot risks, to negotiate sensitive issues, and to recognize the signals that say “Go for it!” or “Walk away!”.
Format: This course consists of a series of 30 posts available as a collection on Alan’s Patreon Page. Review at your own pace whenever and wherever it’s convenient.
Location: The course online is available on Alan’s Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/cw/AlanDouglasRayFineArtStudio
Cost: Available for free for FCA Toronto artists for 2026.
How to Play: As you read the posts, make a list for yourself of the arguments for and against taking on the commission. Think of it as a balancing act. Is there one factor that tips the balance and persuades you to accept or reject the commission?
You will learn to think strategically with the traffic light analogy. Imagine every aspect of the commission as a traffic light. Each light signals how you should proceed — stop, pause, or go — and gives you a strategy for turning problems into possibilities.
Above all, we want Vermeer and all artists to advocate for themselves, shape the project collaboratively, and make decisions that protect both their creativity and their business.
Contact information: For more information, write to Alan directly at [email protected].
Alan Douglas Ray, AFCA
Associate FCA Member. Alan is an academy-trained, traditional oil painter based in Toronto with a passion for portraiture, figurative art, and still life. He describes his style as "classical realism", a form of representational art that exhibits a preference for beauty, order, harmony, and completeness. It also promotes the representation of nature based on direct observation using traditional methods. Alan is the founder and past president of FCA Toronto.
