389 Comments
"Pricing your art is easy. Measure the square inches and multiply by $X.00".
Artists are not selling carpet! A small painting can be highly charged with emotional impact and a large painting can be empty of meaning. Size doesn't equal price. A $30,000 painting doesn't have to be 16 feet wide. A million dollar painting doesn't need to fill a football field.
Many variables to consider along the journey. A agile and scalable system is best to implement over time!
That is so true and I’ve had smaller pieces that took a lot more time (and paint) due to details or texturizing. I charge more for that. I’ve seen artists do this square inch thing because they’ve made it, selling in the thousands, have their own galleries or studios. The rest of us are trying not to starve and be able to afford materials!!
In my niche, companion animal portraits, I found that pricing by size is better understood by my buyers. For one thing, the client hasn’t seen the art, they have to trust that I will create an emotionally rewarding image. They base this trust on my portfolio and the fact that I don’t bill them until they are happy. I share montages/sketches and roughs along the way. Since many people give these portraits as gifts, a clear price estimate is necessary.
I am soon to be represented by a virtual international gallery, which will have their own pricing structure, but it’s based on seeing the art after it’s complete and pricing it according to the curator’s criteria. This is a great opportunity for me to do more of my own work with my own choice of subjects.
I sell every painting for the exact same price no matter what size how long it took to make
Considering peoples interior changes every 5 years . I make my art accessible and affordable for them my art is not for people who use it as an investment
@2Kairos Guild, that reference you made to comparing the Value of our art to the pricing of carpet is a painful point-on truth. They aren't even related in terms of their value and meaning to the buyer. Unless, of course, the buyer is buying a handmade carpet from, let's say, Tabet!
I trust that this all made sense.
The most annoying piece of advice? “Be yourself.” And then they add: just speak faster, shoot more dynamically, follow trends, and post every day. So where exactly in all that is “being yourself”?
When you find the answer to this, please share!! 😌
We would love you to contribute an art piece to our raffle. It will be good exposure for you. I will contribute something if I like the cause but certainly because it'll be good exposure. It's a little bit of a trick that the folks who say it probably don't realize.
And then it sells for an embarrassingly low price which, well, affects overall value. So much for exposure.
RIGHT?!!! How can I post everyday on SM when the details are so little to be noticed?
Yeah, this is garbage advice. Post with assertion and dignity when the time is right.
This one makes me crazy. Based on algorithms etc it is impossible to make a dent. It is as if the energy time and attention required to feed the machine is not really cannibalizing the artist’s actual time to create. Even when there are people to help with this aspect it still requires management. I completely agree that the visibility on social platforms is important and lends credibility. However, having a life plus being an artist plus marketing and/or managing your marketing is a really tough balance to strike. I think analog/old school works better, at least for me. In my experience face to face interactions with people and giving them an opportunity to know you yields a better chance of converting to sales because of an authentic emotional connection. Gaslighting at its finest.
Most agreed, I am not good with these social media sites to begin with, let alone set aside time to learn, and have the algorithm work for me. For me is the same, it's a waste of time, time I can spend creating art, managing life and the business side of art. These platforms are really designed for people who are for the most part not doing what we do. And for those who are successful at it the truth is behind the curtain meaning there's help putting those videos together.
😆😆😆😆😆😆😆👿👎 I"m leaving facebook cause der Zuck and his I'llGoAwayRthyms only make us Go Away.
Marketing only takes 20 minutes a week! You can paint the rest of the time!
have you considered showing your art in cafes/ coffee shops/ restaurants/ bakeries/ doctor's offices/ dentist offices/ hospitals/ airports/ yada, yada? YES! And NO!🙃
yes where I could hair salons and even a lawyer's office
Takes a lot of closed doors to get an open one. Too much work for little return. Not many establishments want you to attach a price or your contact information, many just want it to look like they’ve decorated their cafe, shop, etc. high scale at no real cost to them.
I strongly dislike when people tell me how easy it should be to sell what I create..... if it was easy to sell it wouldn't be a permanent fixture at my house!!!
Giving your art away for an auction or sale that is a fundraiser SO THAT you will benefit from the “exposure.”
I swear if one more person says 'I can't pay you, but it will give you some exposure' to me I will explode.
How about I can't pay you in cash but I'll pay you in crypto coin, or does this come in an NFT? I'll pay you (again) in crypto for your work. "Yeah right get bent" lol
If I had a nickel for every time, somebody decided to pay me and crypto, I would never have to sell another piece of artwork
telling you how to sell or market your art and none is working
In the same boat! Marketing your art is so difficult! What used to happen when there was no social media , how did artists sell?
Being authentic , original and persistent ! Let the paintings find their own connections, nothing can be forced if it’s not meant to be!
You really need an email list.
Oh, you don’t say.
If people don’t want to sign up I can’t make them!
Exactly! Its like another tick in the box that everyone has to do, but is it really worth it?
"Maybe if you lower/increase your prices". "The market is depressed at the moment" (Not so!)
"Your art is amazing!" "How long did it take you paint that" (My standard answer: around 42 years, 6 months, 3 days and 4 hours")
I haven’t read all of the comments yet, but I’m sure there’s someone else that’s heard “you need to paint things that will sell“, along with “no one’s going to buy that”.
So helpful. 😒I’m not doing deer in bluebonnets and a hunting dog with his bird catch. Living in rural America makes the art thing really challenging.
Or how about “if you just practiced more, and made it more realistic….” Um, classically trained, capable of painting realistically, it’s a choice not to. Grrrrr
Yep, I can paint realistically but I choose to do geometric abstract. And I always get I've seen you do a lot better or you can paint much better than that! I hate that
Agreed, I told one person if you want your portrait more realistic then hire someone to take a photo of you. Hyper realistic paintings are great but to anyone else not knowing the process that it takes hours upon hours to complete to get it to look so realistic, are ignorant. not to mention those who say that me couldn't afford it anyway. So I start asking what are your expectations, yes I can paint portraits, no I'm not a printing machine I'm an artist.
Why don't you draw/paint a popular subject such as a nice warm landscape with a cottage? People like that. They don't want a drawing/painting that makes them think. They just want something lovely that will go with their furniture. What kills me is they are probably right. What I usually tell them is: I make art, therefore I am. I make art that defines my soul and satisfies that perpetual urge to create. If I make simple art that pleases people, I am not creating what defines me. I lose my gift and purpose in making art. Yes I would probably makes a lot more money, but that is not why I create. So I am stuck. Stuck in the middle of needing to make money and needing to create with purpose. Of the two, I prefer purpose.
I got the same problem. And I envy the people who find it their creativity and enjoy making what sells, the traditional landscapes, scenery, whatever
There is such contempt for contemporary art and artists, especially if the art comes from the heart, soul or mind of the one producing the work. The uneducated, uninformed viewer can easily shake their head and make statements such as “My four year old could have painted that”, but do most of them actually know the underlying background of the artist and what concept they are trying to convey to the public. Serious contemporary artwork isn’t necessarily about “pretty” pictures, it is something that should strike a chord with the viewer or make them at least try to ponder about what is being communicated to them. Too many viewers take the easy way out, they typically want their eyes satisfied, not their imagination, souls, minds, or heart. They just do not get it, or rather more accurately, do not want to make the effort to “get it”…
@TomdWood thats why I have 2 distinct paths within my art practice: my multi media conceptual work, which is more for galleries, exhibitions and art collectors; and my commercial landscape paintings, which is more for anyone and everyone (and are more likely to be purchased and appreciated by those outside of the art world). I find it helps to know WHO I’m making my work for and what kind of involvement to the work they’re looking for as a spectator. Also by having 2 paths within my practice, my landscape paintings can sort of fund the projects that are more conceptual that are less likely to be purchased for people’s homes. While other times, applying for grants for the conceptual work, is another way to fund that type of work and allow you to keep creating the work that’s meaningful to you.
Best of luck!
Oh, I hate that! I draw what moves me. If you truly appreciate art, and are capable of thinking about difficult things, and want to, them politically provocative art should be what you're looking for. For instance I'm thinking of adding a feature to my Two Mesas drawing: a rainbow linking the two mesas, and then re-titling it "Two Souls." I was hoping to have that done in time for Pride Month, but it didn't happen. Is that controversial? Yes. Might I get some online abuse for it? Also yes. Bring it on. The thing is, I love both the ordinary and extraordinary. So I'll get abstract art about the evils of war, but at the same time, I'll also get a provincial scene of fishing boats in Maine. It depends on which room it's in.
Wow, I get the same advise but I stop giving excuses, I also paint in really bright colors but I identify myself with the black and white impact.
I'm not giving excuses I just don't want to alter my work when my signature style has to be in black and white (aside from my colored pencil/digital art but I rarely do those pieces)
OMG, that's the most stupid advice i ever heard.
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
Albert Einstein
people often say “I have a great idea for you” and my response past ten or 12 years I stop them & say I’ll paint your idea my custom commission painting price starts at $2000. If they no I want you to take my idea I respectfully decline telling them that if I’m gonna do a painting that has to come from me, but if I’m getting paid, I’ll do your idea. I don’t want you to come back to me in 10 years. Ask for commission because my painting was successful. But I do think interestingly now maybe people aren’t doing it as much because they’re taking their ideas to AI - I used to think ideas were a dime a dozen because the only people who could make them come to life were artists or people who can afford talent , but now ideas are valuable more valuable because of AI anyone has access to see their vision appear- to a degree …
And the idea they have is nowhere in your niche. I had a friend tell me to paint rocks. 🫤
[comment deleted]
Just paint what sells." Art loses its soul when it's created only to follow trends.
People appreciate . admire and tell you how beautiful your art is. But they don't know how to put their hands to their pocket.
I laughed at this, because I hear it all the time. My standard response is "Really? what a brilliant idea. It's so good you came along, because I have just been doing this for my mental health." Very few catch on to the sarcasm in my voice. 🙄
Had that one too, my reply was wow I didn't think of that!!!!
This keeps being a thing, I had someone looking at my work saying the exact thing. I thought okay I'll look into it, only later on discovering a talented artist painting similar things. He would do landscapes on one, then portraits, the other, or animals on the next. Nothing screamed series. While yes he has done enough of those and developed a large body of work none were related to the other. So that tells me people don't know what they want so why are so called professionals pushing series of work?
“I want to buy 4 pieces of your artwork. Are they for sale? I want to buy them as NFT’s. I can walk you through the process. “
I am so tired of these!! I feel sorry for the real buyer who reaches out as they are checked out to see if it’s another nft scam of not.
OMG I've gotten three offers just like that. I hate it, because in the beginning they make you think they truly want your art only to find out its an NFT scame.
People telling me how good my work is and I just need to go to more art fairs to sell. But it doesn’t sell there. But they keep telling me that!
What annoys me these days is the numerous inquiries about NFTs. Along with the many compliments about how good your pictures are. You only have to finish the pictures on a specialized platform. Yes, that costs, "but I'll buy them afterwards." And then the drama starts. You invest, but you can't get the money, because you have to constantly pay new fees. And the guys and girls on the platform are extremely creative.
It's just sickening how artists get taken advantage of by it.
That is a popular scam. Stay away from everything that always wants new fees.
The real NFT collector platforms take the fee from what you earn automatically, they would not ask for extra fee.
"I don't get what it is about." Similarly "I don't understand it."
My Husband keeps asking me to put a very high price on one of my paintings like $20,000 I am not ready to do this
Short story. One of my friends was selling her work at an open market art fair in a very well to do neighbourhood. I walked into the booth and she was still selling them way lower than what they were worth. I asked here, "sell anything yet?" she said a few prints. "Okay cool, mind if I do something?" I went through ripped off the price tags and said "add a zero to the end of all of these. trust me" Her BF at the time said "told ya."
Showed up the next day and the stuff she had for $350 she marked up to $3500 and she sold 5 painting with in 20 mins of opening.
The point is if you do not have the confidence in your work, no one else will. You may not think its worth $20,000 yet, but it will be. Increase it to what you feel comfortable with.
And I might add "A fool and their money are soon parted, I'm just here to help the process along."
I have had people who weren't artists tell me what I should be painting. For instance, I tried hanging some stuff in a coffee shop. She basically told me I needed to go home and completely overhaul my portfolio because the small body of work I had at the time wasn't "cohesive" enough. This was a coffee shop not some high-end gallery. She admitted she really knew nothing about art but had no trouble bossing me around about it.
'You should sell it' 'get it in shops'...
(Like I can walk into a shop and ask them to sell it)
'Ive only just started, there's alot i don't know, im learning.'
'Doesn't matter just get it out there'.
(Of course they are all experts) 😂
Or that piece it totally marketable but to make it sellable I would......like wtf? If its not sellable then tell me again how its marketable? And are you buying or just giving me your opinion?
The most frustrating advice/ request I get is to cover the breasts with strategically placed hair, leaves, clothing. Also being told that the face in a nude figure needs to look away, not engaging the viewer. I tire of having to explain that I want the viewer to be engaged, I create subjects that are peaceful, yet strong enough to engage and not just be an object that is viewed without the viewer having the vulnerability of being viewed. Also, strategically placed lines for modesty often directs the eye to what is being hidden… it actually creates a sense of mystery and about what is being covered, that contributes to erotic rather than focusing on the face and beauty of the figure. Heck, If I wanted to paint erotic works, I would use lingerie or strategically placed shapes to cover areas just enough, I wouldn’t paint fully nude.
Consistency. Life is not consistent. Art is a reflection of life. Throughout a lifetime of work there is consistency and a voice but for one piece to be directly related to another and work to be in series by thought and mark is not consistent with life. Making carbon copies to please collectors or galleries is not making art. It is making a product 🤷🏻♀️
"Just post every day and the right audience will find you."
Consistency matters, but it isn’t a magic spell. I’m tired of advice that treats artists like content machines instead of people making work that actually says something.
The best advice I’ve received: make the piece that keeps bothering you, then learn how to show it to the world.
"You have to find your style." I think this advice can sometimes be limiting. I believe an artist's style should be allowed to evolve naturally through experimentation, curiosity, and the freedom to explore. Sometimes you don't find your style. You find yourself through the process of creating.
You are so correct.
Check out my article on "Struggling to fit your photography or art into one category"
"You must find one signature style and stick to it so people can recognize you."
This is the advice I’m genuinely sick of hearing. Art is not a brand or a factory line. Restricting a multifaceted soul to a single "niche" just to satisfy market labels kills true inspiration. Look at John Singer Sargent—he painted portraits, luminous watercolors, and landscapes, following his vision, not commercial rules. Let’s break the boxes and stop turning art into a repetitive craft!
What about you? What advice are you sick of hearing?
Im sick of hearing "stop taking pictures of the same stuff" I understand that i need to broaden my horizons. But let me be to my muse
My work is detailed and monochromatic but I'm always getting people telling me, "why don't you add color" or "that's too intricate, you are ruining your eyes, make the details bigger and im sure it'll look way better".
Yes, I also hear that from time to time. Personally I love working with charcoal... but adding just one very subdued color can change everything...
Your works are good, but you must speak more about your process and show images and videos of you painting, of your life and why you chose your subjects.
If anyone says “I would change this or that.” Move on! You either want to buy it or not. Keep your opinions to yourself.
Im tired of the cookie cutter advice regarding the posting of paintings..Also the fact that they have rules about sharing work but they don't want self promotion because it's considered spam. What the hell!
The part that gets me, is when some that has NO ideal about the mediums that I'm working with question on pricing.
when doing a wilderness landscape image and putting it out there ..to many know it alls come back and say there needs to be a person in the image ..grates me no end !
My boss at the gallery told me to set my prices at $1 per square inch, and for me that suits me perfectly, of course with the fame that comes with time and perseverance, the price per square inch can go up, but for the stage I'm at, it's perfect for me, and the comments that bother me are those telling me that I'm full of talent and that it's sellable without taking into account all the work to be done! Thanks jo23, Quebecois painter.
With Ai taking over, it will be hard to make any decent money selling your art. You might want to think about doing something else.
Giving up is not the answer! Thats easy. People here must start to think positive .Everything is energy and your energy actually goes into your paintings so make them magical,positive and you will attract the same.Any hint of doubt will diminish your hopes
“Do this for the algorithm” really grinds my gears too lol I’m not making art for an algorithm lmaoo
It’s a bad time for selling art. No one’s buying art at the moment.🙄😵💫
@Joanne Craig Art -- that's when I tell them, "Really? I just sold 3 yesterday."
Wow did you make this ? you are really good. You should sell your art
And those people never buy your art .
So darn true!!!! That statement has gotten me into a lot of trouble ... lol
So true 😆
Thst is literally the truth no matter what the project. "You are so talented". Blah, blah, blah.....
Truth! I would add “you are so talented!” I try very hard not to make remarks about hard work, disasters, long hours, education, money worries, practice practice practice. Talent is that word for me. Like it’s magic rather than accomplishment. Just once I’d like to hear “you are accomplished”, with all due respect.
In the beginning I painted to make money, and I did but the amount I made was priced by who I thought my audience was. A Gallery showing or a craft fair. I priced accordingly . But. Like the Gallery money better so I price at that level and I’m good with hat.