I don't agree that you have to attend some fancy college, get a degree etc. to be a professional artist. I'm self taught, realism, impressionism artist and I've sold many many paintings. My highest being $1275 and the buyer was happy to get it at that price. But I've sold on the other end, as low as $150. To me it depends on content, amount of work, and mostly demand but your video was very good thank you for posting. Snobs in art ruin it for many people.
TheJhaley12 I'm a self taught, manga, cartoon artist, I'm just starting to sell some of my pieces, but I still want to go to college. I still want to go to an Art college, but I'm no snob. I just like taking advice and tips and learning new things about art. Not every artist has to be hated on for going and getting education on art even if they are self taught.
You've taken my comment wrong. I think it's fine for anyone who wants to further their education to do so why wouldn't I. I'm just saying that I've been successful without the College degree etc. but by all means it's entirely up to you and anyone else.
Paragamer can you sell anime on a4 paper? Or does it have go be on a real canvas I'm on paper on the moment bought a few canvases but stick for prices £20? I have no idea! My Instagram is amyloveswolves93 I only just started it up!
The Jhaley before i'd never interested because i'm not and educated not finish yet my secondary,but now since i'd been watching 3 months from now and am old already suddenly i realize that age does not matter and uneducated does not the way to block your way or what ever you desire i wish i could or hopefully i will if GOD PERMIT
I have heard this stuff before..."l don't have to go to art college"...yes you might be the best thing since sliced bread but there is always room to learn. An art college is a starting point, with other aspiring artists who you can share with. The greatest painters who ever lived studied and were taught...that's how they became great. I have spent almost my whole life in art and l am still learning things l never knew. And one of the greatest tutor's l have found is UA-cam. There is so much to see and learn...if your ego is so big and you think you know it all...just take a look at the brilliance that there s out there and you will see exactly where you stand in the course of things.
You have that kind/ tough love disposition when sharing advice. It seem very genuine, I bet you are a good true friend. From one artist to another thank you, I have been torn on what to do about pricing on a commission, trying to treat them like family because they know your family so I was not super clear on a final price when I collected the deposit. Commissions take it to that personal level where I get to nice, my client is shipping it over seas. Knowing this I want to cut a break lol
Im a novice artist and currently in art school. Ive been a little stressed with what comes after a receive my degree. Watching videos like these from other artists have been so helpful, Thank you so much for this video.
You are so correct in so many aspects of your advice here. Those wishing to break in to the profession all too often over value their own work as well as the importance their own work. It is prudent to mention that art is not an eventual commodity they are a luxury. It is possible to use a variety of sources to calibrate the cost at which the medium and subject sells at. It would be sensible to price yourself in the mid to low range until you begin to establish a name. If you do elect to take commissions and that is a big IF then always always get 60% up front and charges for alterations to the original request. Make these additional charges large enough to deter meddlesome changes and not serious ones. Otherwise you may find you have put in considerable hours in for now reward what so ever. Word to the wise. Don't bother with competitions they are a pointless waste of your time. Try to work as you would in any profession, close the door and work, plan and prosecute your ideas. As with all freelance work you don't get paid if you don't have something to sell and that means continually applying yourself to the task. Remember to add to your sale price the realistic value of correctly packing and posting, don't scrimp on this. As an alternative to selling original work you may well decide to sell limited editions, these are printed versions of your original work. These sell at less than an actual painting but can act to increase the value of the original work considerably. Above all don't get disheartened keep working and keep trying, everyone has a hard time starting out. When you are feeling down remember even Van Gogh literally couldn't give his work away at one point and now his are among some of the most valued pieces on the planet. Be true to your ambition but be realistic about what people will pay. Good luck and good hunting.
Thank you so much! Pricing my work has been pretty uncomfortable for me. Afraid to ask for too much, but don't want to price too low. Definitely a helpful video and greatly appreciated!
So i have a question I did an art portrait for a client who happen to be a friend of mines, the client saw well establish artist who the client claim that he draw at a high realism quality for €50-90 in europe and most of his peaces are 12×16 and 16×18. So i sold my portrait for $70 and it was 9×12 and told me that i was too expensive with 2 or 3 detail mistakes am i really that expensive or the client was just beein cheap?
I thought the day would never come where someone would give me an idea as to how to price my work that didn't seem a bit rediculous. Everyone's suggestions to me seemed almost surreal. $1 per inch might be a bit high for my work, but that approach sounds awesome. This vid is a fave! I think I'll be refering to it often. Thanks, so much!!
Thanks sooo much for doing this video. I'm just starting out and I've been a bit shy about pricing. The pricing style is a GREAT idea. Definitely going to use that.
Hi, I work as a cabinet maker so not a painting artist, but your rule of thumb is spot on. I sort of use the same rule for making kitchens, I know when I first set out in business it was hard to actually come up with a winning ingredient to costing. Everything else you mentioned is all live and learn to every ones own situation but still very good advice. Most important was the part you said about selling your work for less in hard times, this has happened to us all but you get respect. Cheers
You can, in fact, price too low. The more something costs (believably) the higher the cachet it has. Would you rather have a $50 painting on the wall or a $300 painting on the wall? The people who care about that will gladly pay higher.
I was quite pleasantly surprised to hear a response from you. I have been painting since before you were born but I am still not an expert at marketing art. I have a few of my paintings on facebook.If you come across them I am always interested in feedback from other artists.Not that any critiques would affect what I do,I am way too far down the road and set in my ways.But it is always fun to hear from other artists. Good luck to everyone who endeavors to create.
You are a beautiful, talented and obviously intelligent lady! I am not a painter, I create art in wood. Nevertheless, your advice has given me a new insight into how I should price my artwork as well. Pricing has been and still is the most difficult part of being an artist for me. Thank you for sharing your experience and insight with the rest of us.
Thank you for making this video Ceder. I'm an art student still trying to find my way in the seas of how to price my work in public group exhibition shows I've taken part in. This video with your words of advice has really been helpful for me since I've always been a nervous wreck at times when it comes time to always figure out how much I want to price my pieces. Thank you so much. Cassandra Calderon~
It was a pleasure listening to your advise. Beautiful calm voice. There are many of us out here, as myself who believes our paintings are not good enough although we get the accolades, we feel if we put a reasonable price, no one would be interested in paying for the work. Having your guide line not only help establish us as artists, but allows us to truly true value the work we do. As with each work, a piece of our being is left on the art we produce. Once again, thank you.
It's changed throughout the years. In addition to painting, at one point I had a job making jewelry, at one point I taught college classes, and at one point I was a gallery installer. For a few years I was full-time with only my art. As of right now, (May 2013) I'm only working part-time hours, as I have 2 preschoolers at home, but my art is indeed my primary source of income. I teach art lessons on weekends too, so maybe that counts as another job, but the teaching is *extremely* part-time.
Excellent video and very very helpful for those of us who are clueless about pricing and marketing our creations. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us.
Check out the book,... "How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist." ~Selling your work without selling your Soul.~ Carol Michels. Lot's of fantastic information in it for all artists. From the beginner to the professional this one covers it all. I don't have the latest edition so the one I have is a bit outdated since the widespread use of the web. Still very helpful and invaluable information. Take care.
Thank you so much for this video. You did a great job! I am a graphic designer (old school, fortunately) and I have transitioned to mixed media painting and collage. Your strategy makes complete sense to me. Your delivery was spot on. Well done! Thanks again!
3. Don't try to go it alone. Getting gallery representation is one way to get help in finding the audience for your work. Hiring someone to help you with marketing (or other tasks like housework, so you're free to do the marketing) is another way. 4. Show your work as much as possible. Coffee shops, wherever. Those shows might not lead to sales but they will be a learning experience and will get your work in front of people. 5. Make LOTS of art. LOTS!
All good valuable advice and nice to know I had it right the first time ( pricing wise) I really appreciate your sharing your experience and the confidence that comes from having information from a successful but early career artist.Appreciation !I just discovered your series ( my sister is an artist too and sent me your link)I'm sure we will both be watching at every opportunity.
Agreed, commissions can be worth it. In fact, they can be awesome--I did not mean to imply that nobody should ever work on commission or that it's a bad thing...only that it can be a huge pain if you go about it the wrong way. I learned the hard way how important it is to screen your clients carefully and have a crystal clear commission policy in place. See my more recent video "On Commissions" for more of my thoughts on that.
I've really struggled with pricing and selling, but It's difficult because I've been somewhat wishy washy about whether I'm an artist or just a sometimes hobbyist. This video was encouraging...thanks! Sub'd!
I love the cost based on square inch idea! I work with graphite/marker/colored pencil/acrylics... And I definitely know that you, personally, have to often buy paints who's cost is based on the color, itself (when you break it down, anyway). Supplies don't come cheap, neither does time, or creative ability. My prices are close to your model, thus far, but I'm going to try to 'fine tune' them based on your advice. THANKS! :D
Really nice, easy to listen to and informative video. Thank you. I'm just starting out in acrylics since August this year, and am more than happy to subscribe to artists such as yourself who offer new artists like me sound, measured advice from their own experiences. :)
Hi Cedar, thanks for the video. I've just sorted my prices out using a linear method but it's good to hear another artist thinking along the same lines with regard to sticking to your price etc. Hope things are working out well for you Kind regards, Michael Hemming
Great advice.... I do highly detailed airbrush art on canvas, using acrylics. One of the biggest issues I have is how to price it. Up until now, my pricing has been all over the place and it is frustrating to say the least... it is mostly "stab in the dark" guesswork. Your suggestion of starting the pricing @ $1 per inch is a very good one. I am going to try this out... Thank you so much... Cheers, Dallas
Cedar, Thanks for your response. I got into the habit of purchasing those canvas panels....the ones that come in a three pack for a very small price. I now understand and face the challenges of presentation with these canvas panels....frame? mount? etc...Thanks for directing me to wood panels(Gessobord).It does show nicely and has that modern finish you mentioned. Take care, Michael
Hello, nice video =). I also think 'time' is an important factor to consider when pricing. I mean, different painting styles vary a LOT in how much time is spent working on a piece - some styles are sadly not even worth to dable with, cause whichever price you would get as 'an amateur' could never justify the amount of hours spent painting it.
I have actually never worked with a gallery that sets the prices for the artists' work--although I know this does happen sometimes I think it's rare. The gallery will want to make sure your work is within their price range, and may advise you on pricing, or you may come to an agreement together on how to set prices, but ultimately pricing is almost always up to the artist.
Also: I like, and respect how you explain how and why people will buy Art at deferent amounts! All great Art is NOT just for the Rich! Every social class desires and deserves the ability to buy, and appreciate art. (Not just prints! Not that there's anything wrong with prints.) 😊
Thanks for the advice . you got some possitive points . i started to paint at the age of 7 helping my uncle. And stil have problems pricing my art . over the years been experiencing what you sayed about people whanted to buy your Art work as cheap as possisible. and never done it. You are rigth about that ,they are not worse. Keep up the good work. Luis Alves
Hi Cedar, I discovered you thru a class assignment, i had to critique this video. I learned a lot from this video and now I am watching all your videos to learn from you.
Thanks for the great advice. Yeah commissions can definitely be a pain so I totally agree on pricing higher. But yeah I'm an illustrator just starting out this has been really helpful!
Yes, lots of artists do things like that. I normally give a small discount if someone is purchasing multiple works at the same time, or free shipping if they spend a certain amount, give a smaller work along with a large purchase, things like that. However, (at least the way I do things) I see this as a separate issue apart from pricing--this is more the skill of negotiating to make a sale, and everyone has a different comfort level. Some people never offer discounts, and that's fine too.
Realistically .40 cents per square inch is fair for a artist with under 10 years of experience. While content, economy, location,etc.. have effects on price. the base of.40 will sell your work and give you exposure that otherwise would be stifled by basic overpricing. Just my many years of experience and humble opinion.
I found your UA-cam spot to be very helpful. Pricing has been a bit of a struggle for me and the fresh perspective you've shared here, has pointed up some solid ideas.
Thany you very much! I am just starting to sell a few pieces from people seeing them on my internet postings or in person. I paint in acrylic and watercolors. I invented for my own use, a spreadsheet that starts with the $1 a square inch guideline and applies a "factor" which I determine separately for each piece. The factor might range from 0.30 to 1.0, depending on the medium, the surface, and my own subjective judgement about the materials, work and quality that went into each piece. Any costs for frames and or mats gets added after the other calculation. I might try rounding up to the 90 as you suggested. I have been rounding up to the next $10. I also appreciated your suggestion to stay with a few sizes and make them my standard offering. I appreciated comment about higher prices for working on commission. I have done a few of these in the past, and they often are indeed a pain. Even if the client is not overly demanding, there is additional internal pressure on the artist to produce something appealing.
Thank you so much. I just started buying canvas to begin painting again and I wondered what to do to sell my artwork. Glad I found you and your great advice. I also became a subscriber. I also love to chalk paint. AD
This depends on the gallery. Contracts can always be negotiated. It's very rare for a gallery to expect 100% exclusivity on your work. More commonly a gallery will want *regional* exclusivity and doesn't care at *all* if you sell your work elsewhere. When an artist sells in galleries and from their own studio, it can be simpler to NOT work with local galleries, to avoid complications. It's possible to run into dicey territory, but if you're always upfront and honest, you can't go wrong.
Mostly through my own efforts with my website, open studios and other events like that, and through representation by galleries. Many are repeat sales to people who have bought my work in the past--and that "collector base" has happened organically over time, one person at a time. Just working very hard for 10+ years has made that happen on its own. I want to try out the world of art fairs/festivals next year, so that may happen in the future as well. :) I recommend a multi-pronged approach.
My gallery takes a 50% commission so I have to factor that in. I don't really go by the size of the artwork, but rather the amount of time (labor) it took me to make the piece.
I agree. I've seen very small amazing pieces that were so intricate in detail, clearly taking a very long time to complete. Then, I've seen larger works, i.e., 24x36, etc. with just a couple of swirls of house paint on them ... How do they justify that? Well, we know it's subjective. So, I guess it boils down to what someone is willing to pay for what they want (hopefully) very much ... or not.
that's a fair approach, and for me (as an artist) makes more sense. But your are the first gallery owner I come acorss that values an artwork by looking at the amount of work, instead of just size.
Cedar you are so right. Art is a profession and for some it is a way of life. I do not understand those artist who echo the same as Eric and yet also engage in the discussion of lack of support, free space and free information..
Thank you so much! I have picked up painting again after many yrs. I've had many inquiries to buying my paintings after showing them on FB and around but, I haven't tried to sell any because I had no idea how to price them. Your video was very helpful.
I'd also like to add that I think you'd have to adjust according to where you live. Living in NE Arkansas, I don't think I'd do great at $1 an inch. BUT, if I ventured out to say NW Arkansas where it's very touristy or central Arkansas where Hot Springs and Little Rock are; then I could probably do a lot better. But at least I have an idea where to start now.
This used to be the case moreso than now. The age of the Internet has made it really impossible for any artist to charge widely varying prices even when selling in different markets. Anyone interested in your work can go online, find what galleries you're in, find out what you're charging in different places. If there is too much variance you will lose trust. And absolutely, you must have a consistent body of work!
@rubioproductions That might be confusing to people, since I sell my work in the States. But aside from dollars vs. pounds, some of my paintings are indeed priced that much--my price range for almost all my work is from $300 to $3,000. I really enjoy having some smaller pieces that are more affordable for people in addition to the high-dollar paintings.
thanks!! that was clear! I'm an emerging artist in san francisco and i priced my work at about $1 sq. inch without realizing it.. a bit more for smaller pieces.. but as for the large 36 x 48 i have altogether charged too little- about $1000. so i will change that. thanks so much for the info!
I personally do not frame my work. Currently I'm painting on wood panels with 2" deep edges (Gessobord) which is not meant to be framed. With the painting continuing around the edges, it looks really cool and definitely is a modern "finished" look--you can find pics on my blog if you're interested. IF I were to use frames, I would price with the same basic formula, by size, and then just add the cost of the frame onto to that, so as to have both a "framed" and an "unframed" price.
Finally, some helpful information about how to price your work. Great tips. I've heard general tips, but this is a great guideline....I'm pricing all of my work regardless of size at ONE MILLION Dollars. That way I won't have to worry about it selling and becoming a slave to the market. Seriously though, thanks for the info.
I'm intrigue at that piece on your wall at least from what I can see from the video. Love the colors! Good tip on not lowering your prices out of desperation. Thanks!
Just surfed onto this video-very interesting. I've been painting for 25 years and have stayed away from the business of art--until now. I have years of paintings that I'd like to sell. Looking forward to seeing more of your videos. Tommy
you are absolutely right, this is a good and simple method for pricing any painting. in real estate also, price is charged with sq.mtr. method and for small plots the square meter rate is high and for larger plot sq. mt. is less. same way artist can charge for large and small painting or time involvement ratio.
Hello Cedar, Thanks for your videos I find them very informative. I haven't gotten up the courage to sell anything yet but I will use the information you provide to help me make certain decisions.
I sold my 16" by 18" painting for $4.30 per square inch ($1240 total) And I felt it was very fair. I'm not a super well known artist but I wouldn't have sold it for less. I create hyper realistic paintings that take me months which is why. For me it's not based on size but level of detail. Selling it for a dollar per square inch would make my time worth nothing.. I'd rather not sell than sell it for nothing.
I've always priced my acrylic paintings the same as my oils. I have always heard/read that oils command higher prices, but have not found it to be true for my work. It could be that for the price range I'm selling in, there is not a noticeable difference. I say use the $1/sq. inch guideline to start with for your acrylics, and see how it goes. :)
Something else struck me just now - I just now realized the advantage of your personal website instead of online shop on crowdy galleries like Etsy or ArtistBecome or Yessy, where there's not just you, but thousands of other artists: When you're in the crowdy gallery with tuousand other artists the potential buyers see related artists that are definately better than you (at least some of them). But when you have your personal site - the buyer doesn't see the immediate comparison with all the other artists in the world. Just a thought, to anyone reading this. :) Good luck everyone and good and happy painting! :)
That's what I like about Fine Art America - you can have your gallery show up with everyone else's - or - you can have your own private gallery and link it to your own domain name. That's what I've done with www.judilynnart.com.
thank you so much. showing my work for the first time and I'm nervous as hell. but I've learned a little bit here thank you very much I really appreciate it
wow this is a good video i just started painting and i just had someone ask me "how much?" straight up...i didnt know what to say. now i can get back to them! thank you!
well i'm a self taught and a beginner and i'm doing acrylic paintings, still haven't done any big paintings yet but have some good ideas and themes and i was hoping to sell some in future and this video was helpful thank you Cedar Lee :D
Thank you for sharing your knowledge on pricing. As a brand new artist I am completely lost, as I'm sure you can remember. I appretiate your video and k forward to learning more from you :)
Great advice, thank you! I've been doing commissions and pricing them too low. (it's working out to about $8.25/hr...lol) I fear that I've already undervalued my artwork and I've only just begun! I'm considering not taking anymore commissions for this reason. I'm finding it quite hard to find a balance between pricing my work reasonably and basically giving it away. From now on I think I'll just do prints and sell those. For the time and effort it takes me I'd rather just keep them. :S
I just want to say tat your words of wisdom in the art field where very help full. I myself am a airbrush artist and i was wondering how do i price my work. I didnt want to price to low or to high. most of all when you know yourself the time and energy that you put in every piece. its not just a painting its a piece of you that your puting on every canvice.
Forgery, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and who is really looking it's worked for me in past lives I've worked with all the greats and they weren't averse about passing off other people's work as their own.
This was good information. When I started out I used to charge $75 for a wedding back in the 70's but then the amount of soloists would start going up who needed accompaniment. It got stupid so I had to charge by the soloist. Usually weddings never start on time and I found myself entertaining people with solo performances for hours. It was good practice but it got stupid after an hour or more of people not showing up. I learned my lesson.
As a college speech evaluation video, although I'm rather new to this, you seem like an actress. Your voacl pauses are not constantly reoccuring, it seems to come across like a conversation. I like your energy it seems vivid and positive. I also appreciate the information that you've presented within this video. Godspeed :)
Cedar, Might I say what a good, informative and enlightening video you have made. I do not yet earn my living as an artist, however my work is in collections worldwide and I have to say that pricing is difficult for the beginner. It seems that beginners never seem to price their work correctly, nearly always underpricing which must be the cardinal sin! If a painting doesn't sell fort a while, it is usually for the reasons you outlined and I entirely agree with you, never, never, go down in price unless it is to clinch the sale with a small discount of 5% say (which I have usually added on in the first place!). If someone wants your painting, they will buy it no matter what. Thank you for a delightful video and helping others progress in their art. Might I also say, with great respect, what a lovely lady you are, not only in looks but in demeanour. Best wishes for the future.
Depending on the particular variables, in cm & converted from Euros, width x height divided by 8 = guideprice. At least it was before my gallery in Berlin died. Thanks for doing these, it helps!
This video is about pricing for originals only. Prints (giclées and other kinds) are always priced lower than originals. Giclées signed by the artist usually go for 30%-50% of the price of the original, although it varies widely. Photo prints are usually priced much cheaper. As of yet I've only sold prints of my work on demand, not as a standard thing. I do have a photo print (24"x36" high quality poster) of my painting "Sunlit Canopy" available on my website, and I sell them for very cheap. :)
You are right on except my knowledge and experience tells me $4.00 to $5.00 a square inch is where I will start because I HAVE SOLD SEVERAL PIECES OVER $5000.00. YOUR INFO WAS VERY HELPFUL! THANK YOU!!!
Thank you so much. I want to start selling my paintings and I had no idea how much to charge cause people either say its too expensive or too cheap. So its better your advice than selling them for $80 when they are usually bigger.
Great info. I'm just starting out as an acrylic artist. I attend the University School of Art, UA-cam. I've also purchased lessons on line at Craftsy (period) com. It's helped me tremendously. The info you've provided here is a great starting point for artist that want to sell their work. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.
I DO understand that you're only saying YOU can't charge money for your art, (which is fine) and not that other artists shouldn't. I know you're not implying that artists don't deserve to make a living. But what I'm attempting to convey is that when you debate whether or not it's possible to place a $ value on art, by doing so, whether you realize it or not, you are devaluing our profession. Whether or not other professions should place a $ value on their work is never even in question.
Thank you so much for all this wonderful information. I am just starting out and have had several inquiries into the price of my paintings. Honestly, I didn't have a clue. You've given me hope! I'm finding that I am very attached to several of my paintings and worry that I will set the price too high because of that. Sometimes I think if the price is too high, then I can keep them after all. This is something I think I'll get past with time. I'm far too sentimental! :) Thank you again for the video. It is extremely useful to me. Christy
I'm not sure what you're asking...if you're referring to commissioned work, each case is different as you just have to estimate how long the particular project might take. One rule I've always liked however, is "Under-promise and over-deliver," meaning, give yourself more time than you think you'll need, then do it as fast as you can so the client will be wowed. :)
You say, "If i could sell some paintings i would" and thevaliantcrusader says, "as much as I'd love to be able to pay my bills with my artowrk." This tells me you guys don't actually have as much issue as you claim with the idea of making money as an artist, but rather you find it excessively daunting to try. I think that because it's so hard, (and yes, it IS) some artists claim that art is so sacred it should never be sold, which conveniently exempts them from the struggle professionals face.
Thanks a lot Cedar🌺 really great video. Great guidelines and very sweet of you give us your insights from your experiences!!! I like the dollar per square inch rule and then a little further up accordingly!! Great stuff!! :D Much appreciated!! 🌺😀
Hi Cedar, thank you so much for this video i am an Artist from the middle east to be exact from GCC the Gulf region .. your video help me so much thank you again .. Ameera
Hi, I'm not completely sure what you mean by the ones that are flat, but I think you're probably talking about "student boards," which are a canvas glued to a backing of cardboard or particle board. My advice is not to use them for any work you intend to sell! They are called "student boards" because they are cheap, low quality, and intended only for practice. They warp easily & won't stand up to time. There are other flat surfaces that are durable, such as wood panels--those are great!
Most galleries sell art on consignment. If it sells they take a commission, usually 20%-50%, depends on the gallery. If it doesn't sell you're responsible for retrieving the work and getting new work to them. Sometimes (but usually not) a gallery will purchase artwork from you at wholesale prices (usually 40-50% of retail.) Then they own the artwork. You lose control of pricing as they can then mark it up as high as they want. On the plus side, you don't have to worry about selling it anymore.
I don't agree that you have to attend some fancy college, get a degree etc. to be a professional artist. I'm self taught, realism, impressionism artist and I've sold many many paintings. My highest being $1275 and the buyer was happy to get it at that price. But I've sold on the other end, as low as $150. To me it depends on content, amount of work, and mostly demand but your video was very good thank you for posting. Snobs in art ruin it for many people.
TheJhaley12 I'm a self taught, manga, cartoon artist, I'm just starting to sell some of my pieces, but I still want to go to college. I still want to go to an Art college, but I'm no snob. I just like taking advice and tips and learning new things about art. Not every artist has to be hated on for going and getting education on art even if they are self taught.
You've taken my comment wrong. I think it's fine for anyone who wants to further their education to do so why wouldn't I. I'm just saying that I've been successful without the College degree etc. but by all means it's entirely up to you and anyone else.
Paragamer can you sell anime on a4 paper? Or does it have go be on a real canvas I'm on paper on the moment bought a few canvases but stick for prices £20? I have no idea! My Instagram is amyloveswolves93 I only just started it up!
The Jhaley before i'd never interested because i'm not and educated not finish yet my secondary,but now since i'd been watching 3 months from now and am old already suddenly i realize that age does not matter and uneducated does not the way to block your way or what ever you desire i wish i could or hopefully i will if GOD PERMIT
I have heard this stuff before..."l don't have to go to art college"...yes you might be the best thing since sliced bread but there is always room to learn. An art college is a starting point, with other aspiring artists who you can share with. The greatest painters who ever lived studied and were taught...that's how they became great. I have spent almost my whole life in art and l am still learning things l never knew. And one of the greatest tutor's l have found is UA-cam. There is so much to see and learn...if your ego is so big and you think you know it all...just take a look at the brilliance that there s out there and you will see exactly where you stand in the course of things.
You have that kind/ tough love disposition when sharing advice. It seem very genuine, I bet you are a good true friend. From one artist to another thank you, I have been torn on what to do about pricing on a commission, trying to treat them like family because they know your family so I was not super clear on a final price when I collected the deposit. Commissions take it to that personal level where I get to nice, my client is shipping it over seas. Knowing this I want to cut a break lol
Im a novice artist and currently in art school. Ive been a little stressed with what comes after a receive my degree. Watching videos like these from other artists have been so helpful, Thank you so much for this video.
I much appreciate this video. I view this sometime back. Now I've gotten more experience I also teach troubled youth art. I just wanted to say thanks!
Troubled youth? Thank you & get them all off the streets but their parents need a rude awakening first probably.
You are so correct in so many aspects of your advice here. Those wishing to break in to the profession all too often over value their own work as well as the importance their own work. It is prudent to mention that art is not an eventual commodity they are a luxury. It is possible to use a variety of sources to calibrate the cost at which the medium and subject sells at.
It would be sensible to price yourself in the mid to low range until you begin to establish a name. If you do elect to take commissions and that is a big IF then always always get 60% up front and charges for alterations to the original request. Make these additional charges large enough to deter meddlesome changes and not serious ones. Otherwise you may find you have put in considerable hours in for now reward what so ever.
Word to the wise. Don't bother with competitions they are a pointless waste of your time. Try to work as you would in any profession, close the door and work, plan and prosecute your ideas. As with all freelance work you don't get paid if you don't have something to sell and that means continually applying yourself to the task.
Remember to add to your sale price the realistic value of correctly packing and posting, don't scrimp on this.
As an alternative to selling original work you may well decide to sell limited editions, these are printed versions of your original work. These sell at less than an actual painting but can act to increase the value of the original work considerably.
Above all don't get disheartened keep working and keep trying, everyone has a hard time starting out. When you are feeling down remember even Van Gogh literally couldn't give his work away at one point and now his are among some of the most valued pieces on the planet. Be true to your ambition but be realistic about what people will pay. Good luck and good hunting.
I ran across this video by accident and found it incredibly helpful as I am about to price paintings for my very first art exhibit. Thank you.
Thank you so much! Pricing my work has been pretty uncomfortable for me. Afraid to ask for too much, but don't want to price too low. Definitely a helpful video and greatly appreciated!
So i have a question
I did an art portrait for a client who happen to be a friend of mines, the client saw well establish artist who the client claim that he draw at a high realism quality for €50-90 in europe and most of his peaces are 12×16 and 16×18.
So i sold my portrait for $70 and it was 9×12 and told me that i was too expensive with 2 or 3 detail mistakes am i really that expensive or the client was just beein cheap?
I thought the day would never come where someone would give me an idea as to how to price my work that didn't seem a bit rediculous. Everyone's suggestions to me seemed almost surreal. $1 per inch might be a bit high for my work, but that approach sounds awesome. This vid is a fave! I think I'll be refering to it often. Thanks, so much!!
Thanks sooo much for doing this video. I'm just starting out and I've been a bit shy about pricing. The pricing style is a GREAT idea. Definitely going to use that.
Hi, I work as a cabinet maker so not a painting artist, but your rule of thumb is spot on. I sort of use the same rule for making kitchens, I know when I first set out in business it was hard to actually come up with a winning ingredient to costing. Everything else you mentioned is all live and learn to every ones own situation but still very good advice.
Most important was the part you said about selling your work for less in hard times, this has happened to us all but you get respect.
Cheers
You can, in fact, price too low. The more something costs (believably) the higher the cachet it has. Would you rather have a $50 painting on the wall or a $300 painting on the wall? The people who care about that will gladly pay higher.
I agree!
Not to mention that if a piece is priced really low, it's likely the artist is being underpaid as well.
I was quite pleasantly surprised to hear a response from you. I have been painting since before you were born but I am still not an expert at marketing art. I have a few of my paintings on facebook.If you come across them I am always interested in feedback from other artists.Not that any critiques would affect what I do,I am way too far down the road and set in my ways.But it is always fun to hear from other artists. Good luck to everyone who endeavors to create.
Thanks Cedar for your very honest and helpful guidance and advice in pricing art works. It is much appreciated.
You are a beautiful, talented and obviously intelligent lady! I am not a painter, I create art in wood. Nevertheless, your advice has given me a new insight into how I should price my artwork as well. Pricing has been and still is the most difficult part of being an artist for me. Thank you for sharing your experience and insight with the rest of us.
Thank you for making this video Ceder. I'm an art student still trying to find my way in the seas of how to price my work in public group exhibition shows I've taken part in. This video with your words of advice has really been helpful for me since I've always been a nervous wreck at times when it comes time to always figure out how much I want to price my pieces. Thank you so much. Cassandra Calderon~
It was a pleasure listening to your advise. Beautiful calm voice. There are many of us out here, as myself who believes our paintings are not good enough although we get the accolades, we feel if we put a reasonable price, no one would be interested in paying for the work. Having your guide line not only help establish us as artists, but allows us to truly true value the work we do. As with each work, a piece of our being is left on the art we produce. Once again, thank you.
It's changed throughout the years. In addition to painting, at one point I had a job making jewelry, at one point I taught college classes, and at one point I was a gallery installer. For a few years I was full-time with only my art. As of right now, (May 2013) I'm only working part-time hours, as I have 2 preschoolers at home, but my art is indeed my primary source of income. I teach art lessons on weekends too, so maybe that counts as another job, but the teaching is *extremely* part-time.
Excellent video and very very helpful for those of us who are clueless about pricing and marketing our creations. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us.
Check out the book,... "How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist." ~Selling your work without selling your Soul.~ Carol Michels. Lot's of fantastic information in it for all artists. From the beginner to the professional this one covers it all. I don't have the latest edition so the one I have is a bit outdated since the widespread use of the web. Still very helpful and invaluable information. Take care.
Thank you so much for this video. You did a great job! I am a graphic designer (old school, fortunately) and I have transitioned to mixed media painting and collage. Your strategy makes complete sense to me. Your delivery was spot on. Well done! Thanks again!
3. Don't try to go it alone. Getting gallery representation is one way to get help in finding the audience for your work. Hiring someone to help you with marketing (or other tasks like housework, so you're free to do the marketing) is another way. 4. Show your work as much as possible. Coffee shops, wherever. Those shows might not lead to sales but they will be a learning experience and will get your work in front of people. 5. Make LOTS of art. LOTS!
All good valuable advice and nice to know I had it right the first time ( pricing wise) I really appreciate your sharing your experience and the confidence that comes from having information from a successful but early career artist.Appreciation !I just discovered your series ( my sister is an artist too and sent me your link)I'm sure we will both be watching at every opportunity.
Agreed, commissions can be worth it. In fact, they can be awesome--I did not mean to imply that nobody should ever work on commission or that it's a bad thing...only that it can be a huge pain if you go about it the wrong way. I learned the hard way how important it is to screen your clients carefully and have a crystal clear commission policy in place. See my more recent video "On Commissions" for more of my thoughts on that.
Thank you for your insight into the art market. I have learned that if I don't value my work, no one else will either.
I've really struggled with pricing and selling, but It's difficult because I've been somewhat wishy washy about whether I'm an artist or just a sometimes hobbyist.
This video was encouraging...thanks!
Sub'd!
Hi Cedar, thanks for sharing your insight with us - I've been unsure about pricing for a while, so this really helps.
I love the cost based on square inch idea! I work with graphite/marker/colored pencil/acrylics... And I definitely know that you, personally, have to often buy paints who's cost is based on the color, itself (when you break it down, anyway). Supplies don't come cheap, neither does time, or creative ability. My prices are close to your model, thus far, but I'm going to try to 'fine tune' them based on your advice. THANKS! :D
Really nice, easy to listen to and informative video. Thank you. I'm just starting out in acrylics since August this year, and am more than happy to subscribe to artists such as yourself who offer new artists like me sound, measured advice from their own experiences. :)
Hi Cedar, thanks for the video. I've just sorted my prices out using a linear method but it's good to hear another artist thinking along the same lines with regard to sticking to your price etc. Hope things are working out well for you Kind regards, Michael Hemming
Great advice.... I do highly detailed airbrush art on canvas, using acrylics. One of the biggest issues I have is how to price it. Up until now, my pricing has been all over the place and it is frustrating to say the least... it is mostly "stab in the dark" guesswork.
Your suggestion of starting the pricing @ $1 per inch is a very good one. I am going to try this out...
Thank you so much... Cheers, Dallas
Cedar, Thanks for your response. I got into the habit of purchasing those canvas panels....the ones that come in a three pack for a very small price. I now understand and face the challenges of presentation with these canvas panels....frame? mount? etc...Thanks for directing me to wood panels(Gessobord).It does show nicely and has that modern finish you mentioned. Take care, Michael
Hello, nice video =). I also think 'time' is an important factor to consider when pricing. I mean, different painting styles vary a LOT in how much time is spent working on a piece - some styles are sadly not even worth to dable with, cause whichever price you would get as 'an amateur' could never justify the amount of hours spent painting it.
I have actually never worked with a gallery that sets the prices for the artists' work--although I know this does happen sometimes I think it's rare. The gallery will want to make sure your work is within their price range, and may advise you on pricing, or you may come to an agreement together on how to set prices, but ultimately pricing is almost always up to the artist.
$1 per square inch was extremely helpful, you put the whole pricing part of selling artwork into something I can handle, thankyou!!
Also: I like, and respect how you explain how and why people will buy Art at deferent amounts!
All great Art is NOT just for the Rich! Every social class desires and deserves the ability to buy, and appreciate art. (Not just prints! Not that there's anything wrong with prints.) 😊
Thanks for the great guidelines regarding pricing of artwork.
Thanks for the advice . you got some possitive points . i started to paint at the age of 7 helping my uncle. And stil have problems pricing my art . over the years been experiencing what you sayed about people whanted to buy your Art work as cheap as possisible. and never done it. You are rigth about that ,they are not worse. Keep up the good work.
Luis Alves
Hi Cedar, I discovered you thru a class assignment, i had to critique this video. I learned a lot from this video and now I am watching all your videos to learn from you.
Thanks for the great advice. Yeah commissions can definitely be a pain so I totally agree on pricing higher. But yeah I'm an illustrator just starting out this has been really helpful!
Yes, lots of artists do things like that. I normally give a small discount if someone is purchasing multiple works at the same time, or free shipping if they spend a certain amount, give a smaller work along with a large purchase, things like that. However, (at least the way I do things) I see this as a separate issue apart from pricing--this is more the skill of negotiating to make a sale, and everyone has a different comfort level. Some people never offer discounts, and that's fine too.
You're a very nice person and I wish to thank you for your advice, it's much appreciated. Thank you Cedar Lee.
Realistically .40 cents per square inch is fair for a artist with under 10 years of experience. While content, economy, location,etc.. have effects on price. the base of.40 will sell your work and give you exposure that otherwise would be stifled by basic overpricing. Just my many years of experience and humble opinion.
I found your UA-cam spot to be very helpful. Pricing has been a bit of a struggle for me and the fresh perspective you've shared here, has pointed up some solid ideas.
Thany you very much! I am just starting to sell a few pieces from people seeing them on my internet postings or in person. I paint in acrylic and watercolors. I invented for my own use, a spreadsheet that starts with the $1 a square inch guideline and applies a "factor" which I determine separately for each piece. The factor might range from 0.30 to 1.0, depending on the medium, the surface, and my own subjective judgement about the materials, work and quality that went into each piece. Any costs for frames and or mats gets added after the other calculation. I might try rounding up to the 90 as you suggested. I have been rounding up to the next $10. I also appreciated your suggestion to stay with a few sizes and make them my standard offering. I appreciated comment about higher prices for working on commission. I have done a few of these in the past, and they often are indeed a pain. Even if the client is not overly demanding, there is additional internal pressure on the artist to produce something appealing.
Thank you so much. I just started buying canvas to begin painting again and I wondered what to do to sell my artwork. Glad I found you and your great advice. I also became a subscriber. I also love to chalk paint.
AD
This depends on the gallery. Contracts can always be negotiated. It's very rare for a gallery to expect 100% exclusivity on your work. More commonly a gallery will want *regional* exclusivity and doesn't care at *all* if you sell your work elsewhere. When an artist sells in galleries and from their own studio, it can be simpler to NOT work with local galleries, to avoid complications. It's possible to run into dicey territory, but if you're always upfront and honest, you can't go wrong.
Mostly through my own efforts with my website, open studios and other events like that, and through representation by galleries. Many are repeat sales to people who have bought my work in the past--and that "collector base" has happened organically over time, one person at a time. Just working very hard for 10+ years has made that happen on its own. I want to try out the world of art fairs/festivals next year, so that may happen in the future as well. :) I recommend a multi-pronged approach.
My gallery takes a 50% commission so I have to factor that in. I don't really go by the size of the artwork, but rather the amount of time (labor) it took me to make the piece.
I agree. I've seen very small amazing pieces that were so intricate in detail, clearly taking a very long time to complete. Then, I've seen larger works, i.e., 24x36, etc. with just a couple of swirls of house paint on them ... How do they justify that? Well, we know it's subjective. So, I guess it boils down to what someone is willing to pay for what they want (hopefully) very much ... or not.
that's a fair approach, and for me (as an artist) makes more sense. But your are the first gallery owner I come acorss that values an artwork by looking at the amount of work, instead of just size.
Alex Lee that's what I was thinking. It takes labor to produce art. But also add price of material too.
Cedar you are so right. Art is a profession and for some it is a way of life. I do not understand those artist who echo the same as Eric and yet also engage in the discussion of lack of support, free space and free information..
Thank you for your clear, helpful tips. I'm helping my husband sell some of his works soon so this has given me much to mull over.
Thank you so much! I have picked up painting again after many yrs. I've had many inquiries to buying my paintings after showing them on FB and around but, I haven't tried to sell any because I had no idea how to price them. Your video was very helpful.
I'd also like to add that I think you'd have to adjust according to where you live. Living in NE Arkansas, I don't think I'd do great at $1 an inch. BUT, if I ventured out to say NW Arkansas where it's very touristy or central Arkansas where Hot Springs and Little Rock are; then I could probably do a lot better. But at least I have an idea where to start now.
This used to be the case moreso than now. The age of the Internet has made it really impossible for any artist to charge widely varying prices even when selling in different markets. Anyone interested in your work can go online, find what galleries you're in, find out what you're charging in different places. If there is too much variance you will lose trust. And absolutely, you must have a consistent body of work!
@rubioproductions That might be confusing to people, since I sell my work in the States. But aside from dollars vs. pounds, some of my paintings are indeed priced that much--my price range for almost all my work is from $300 to $3,000. I really enjoy having some smaller pieces that are more affordable for people in addition to the high-dollar paintings.
thanks!! that was clear! I'm an emerging artist in san francisco and i priced my work at about $1 sq. inch without realizing it.. a bit more for smaller pieces.. but as for the large 36 x 48 i have altogether charged too little- about $1000. so i will change that. thanks so much for the info!
I personally do not frame my work. Currently I'm painting on wood panels with 2" deep edges (Gessobord) which is not meant to be framed. With the painting continuing around the edges, it looks really cool and definitely is a modern "finished" look--you can find pics on my blog if you're interested. IF I were to use frames, I would price with the same basic formula, by size, and then just add the cost of the frame onto to that, so as to have both a "framed" and an "unframed" price.
Finally, some helpful information about how to price your work. Great tips. I've heard general tips, but this is a great guideline....I'm pricing all of my work regardless of size at ONE MILLION Dollars. That way I won't have to worry about it selling and becoming a slave to the market. Seriously though, thanks for the info.
I'm intrigue at that piece on your wall at least from what I can see from the video. Love the colors! Good tip on not lowering your prices out of desperation. Thanks!
I always come back to this video for encouragement. Thanks for making it, Cedar
Just surfed onto this video-very interesting. I've been painting for 25 years and have stayed away from the business of art--until now. I have years of paintings that I'd like to sell. Looking forward to seeing more of your videos.
Tommy
Thank you very much Cedar for sharing your knowledge and experience in selling art. It is priceless!
Great to hear your thoughts.... I agree about square inch thing! Awesome talk
That painting in the background is so beautiful!
you are absolutely right, this is a good and simple method for pricing any painting. in real estate also, price is charged with sq.mtr. method and for small plots the square meter rate is high and for larger plot sq. mt. is less. same way artist can charge for large and small painting or time involvement ratio.
Hello Cedar,
Thanks for your videos I find them very informative. I haven't gotten up the courage to sell anything yet but I will use the information you provide to help me make certain decisions.
I sold my 16" by 18" painting for $4.30 per square inch ($1240 total) And I felt it was very fair. I'm not a super well known artist but I wouldn't have sold it for less. I create hyper realistic paintings that take me months which is why. For me it's not based on size but level of detail. Selling it for a dollar per square inch would make my time worth nothing..
I'd rather not sell than sell it for nothing.
I am starting out in oil paintings , love the oil. I studied water and acrylics . thank you for sharing you knowledge.
Thank you Cedar. This info is so helpful. I'm just getting started, and needed this input.
I've always priced my acrylic paintings the same as my oils. I have always heard/read that oils command higher prices, but have not found it to be true for my work. It could be that for the price range I'm selling in, there is not a noticeable difference. I say use the $1/sq. inch guideline to start with for your acrylics, and see how it goes. :)
Something else struck me just now - I just now realized the advantage of your personal website instead of online shop on crowdy galleries like Etsy or ArtistBecome or Yessy, where there's not just you, but thousands of other artists: When you're in the crowdy gallery with tuousand other artists the potential buyers see related artists that are definately better than you (at least some of them). But when you have your personal site - the buyer doesn't see the immediate comparison with all the other artists in the world.
Just a thought, to anyone reading this. :)
Good luck everyone and good and happy painting! :)
Thank you for the advice, that's very thoughtful and helpful.
That's what I like about Fine Art America - you can have your gallery show up with everyone else's - or - you can have your own private gallery and link it to your own domain name. That's what I've done with www.judilynnart.com.
The problem with your own personal website is driving traffic to it. It could easily be getting 0 hits out in the back channels of the internet.
That was a pretty nice and to the point video. I got a lot out of it. Thanks for your sweet, humble approach.
thank you so much. showing my work for the first time and I'm nervous as hell. but I've learned a little bit here thank you very much I really appreciate it
wow this is a good video i just started painting and i just had someone ask me "how much?" straight up...i didnt know what to say. now i can get back to them! thank you!
This is awesome thanks for this. It's good to get other artists' perspectives.
well i'm a self taught and a beginner and i'm doing acrylic paintings, still haven't done any big paintings yet but have some good ideas and themes and i was hoping to sell some in future and this video was helpful thank you Cedar Lee :D
Thank you for sharing your knowledge on pricing. As a brand new artist I am completely lost, as I'm sure you can remember. I appretiate your video and k forward to learning more from you :)
Great advice, thank you!
I've been doing commissions and pricing them too low. (it's working out to about $8.25/hr...lol) I fear that I've already undervalued my artwork and I've only just begun! I'm considering not taking anymore commissions for this reason. I'm finding it quite hard to find a balance between pricing my work reasonably and basically giving it away. From now on I think I'll just do prints and sell those. For the time and effort it takes me I'd rather just keep them. :S
I just want to say tat your words of wisdom in the art field where very help full. I myself am a airbrush artist and i was wondering how do i price my work. I didnt want to price to low or to high. most of all when you know yourself the time and energy that you put in every piece. its not just a painting its a piece of you that your puting on every canvice.
Forgery, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and who is really looking it's worked for me in past lives I've worked with all the greats and they weren't averse about passing off other people's work as their own.
This was good information. When I started out I used to charge $75 for a wedding back in the 70's but then the amount of soloists would start going up who needed accompaniment. It got stupid so I had to charge by the soloist. Usually weddings never start on time and I found myself entertaining people with solo performances for hours. It was good practice but it got stupid after an hour or more of people not showing up. I learned my lesson.
As a college speech evaluation video, although I'm rather new to this, you seem like an actress. Your voacl pauses are not constantly reoccuring, it seems to come across like a conversation. I like your energy it seems vivid and positive. I also appreciate the information that you've presented within this video. Godspeed :)
Btw, the painting is beautiful I like how've you've grasped the viewing angle rather than bird or worm perspective it seems human.
+warriorlink01 Also. . . . you inspire me! :)
Cedar,
Might I say what a good, informative and enlightening video you have made. I do not yet earn my living as an artist, however my work is in collections worldwide and I have to say that pricing is difficult for the beginner. It seems that beginners never seem to price their work correctly, nearly always underpricing which must be the cardinal sin!
If a painting doesn't sell fort a while, it is usually for the reasons you outlined and I entirely agree with you, never, never, go down in price unless it is to clinch the sale with a small discount of 5% say (which I have usually added on in the first place!). If someone wants your painting, they will buy it no matter what. Thank you for a delightful video and helping others progress in their art. Might I also say, with great respect, what a lovely lady you are, not only in looks but in demeanour. Best wishes for the future.
Depending on the particular variables, in cm & converted from Euros, width x height divided by 8 = guideprice. At least it was before my gallery in Berlin died. Thanks for doing these, it helps!
This video is about pricing for originals only. Prints (giclées and other kinds) are always priced lower than originals. Giclées signed by the artist usually go for 30%-50% of the price of the original, although it varies widely. Photo prints are usually priced much cheaper. As of yet I've only sold prints of my work on demand, not as a standard thing. I do have a photo print (24"x36" high quality poster) of my painting "Sunlit Canopy" available on my website, and I sell them for very cheap. :)
Thanks for the advice on pricing it gives me a place to start, again thank you Cedar Lee.
Thanks for the advice, im only just starting out now, and that has given me food for thought. keep smiling x x
Thank you so much for giving such informative tips...your advice and tips in these vlogs are awesome...as well as your beautiful work
You are right on except my knowledge and experience tells me $4.00 to $5.00 a square inch is where I will start because I HAVE SOLD SEVERAL PIECES OVER $5000.00. YOUR INFO WAS VERY HELPFUL! THANK YOU!!!
thankyou for your story,it has helped me think things through.it has given me a good base line .
Thank you so much. I want to start selling my paintings and I had no idea how much to charge cause people either say its too expensive or too cheap. So its better your advice than selling them for $80 when they are usually bigger.
Thank you for the advice, you've given me a rough idea where to go next.😉
Great info. I'm just starting out as an acrylic artist. I attend the University School of Art, UA-cam. I've also purchased lessons on line at Craftsy (period) com. It's helped me tremendously. The info you've provided here is a great starting point for artist that want to sell their work. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.
+HGAviator People with the habit of self education will always go the farthest. Good luck to you! :)
I DO understand that you're only saying YOU can't charge money for your art, (which is fine) and not that other artists shouldn't. I know you're not implying that artists don't deserve to make a living. But what I'm attempting to convey is that when you debate whether or not it's possible to place a $ value on art, by doing so, whether you realize it or not, you are devaluing our profession. Whether or not other professions should place a $ value on their work is never even in question.
Thank you so much for all this wonderful information. I am just starting out and have had several inquiries into the price of my paintings. Honestly, I didn't have a clue. You've given me hope! I'm finding that I am very attached to several of my paintings and worry that I will set the price too high because of that. Sometimes I think if the price is too high, then I can keep them after all. This is something I think I'll get past with time. I'm far too sentimental! :) Thank you again for the video. It is extremely useful to me. Christy
I'm not sure what you're asking...if you're referring to commissioned work, each case is different as you just have to estimate how long the particular project might take. One rule I've always liked however, is "Under-promise and over-deliver," meaning, give yourself more time than you think you'll need, then do it as fast as you can so the client will be wowed. :)
You are so good for doing this. Love it. Can't wait to see more.
You say, "If i could sell some paintings i would" and thevaliantcrusader says, "as much as I'd love to be able to pay my bills with my artowrk." This tells me you guys don't actually have as much issue as you claim with the idea of making money as an artist, but rather you find it excessively daunting to try. I think that because it's so hard, (and yes, it IS) some artists claim that art is so sacred it should never be sold, which conveniently exempts them from the struggle professionals face.
Thanks a lot Cedar🌺 really great video. Great guidelines and very sweet of you give us your insights from your experiences!!! I like the dollar per square inch rule and then a little further up accordingly!! Great stuff!! :D Much appreciated!! 🌺😀
Hi Cedar Lee.....Thank you very much for excellent advice. Truly appreciated.
Hi Cedar, thank you so much for this video i am an Artist from the middle east to be exact from GCC the Gulf region .. your video help me so much thank you again .. Ameera
Hi, I'm not completely sure what you mean by the ones that are flat, but I think you're probably talking about "student boards," which are a canvas glued to a backing of cardboard or particle board. My advice is not to use them for any work you intend to sell! They are called "student boards" because they are cheap, low quality, and intended only for practice. They warp easily & won't stand up to time. There are other flat surfaces that are durable, such as wood panels--those are great!
Most galleries sell art on consignment. If it sells they take a commission, usually 20%-50%, depends on the gallery. If it doesn't sell you're responsible for retrieving the work and getting new work to them.
Sometimes (but usually not) a gallery will purchase artwork from you at wholesale prices (usually 40-50% of retail.) Then they own the artwork. You lose control of pricing as they can then mark it up as high as they want. On the plus side, you don't have to worry about selling it anymore.