Bigger isn't always Better!

scottb · #1 11-05-2002, 02:18 PM

Hope you guys enjoy this little article (no pun intended - hehe). Had a blast putting it together.

Available via the WC! home page, the art business channel, or this shortcut link:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/15/252/

Cheers.
Scott

El_Elegante · #2 11-05-2002, 04:05 PM

Thanks Scott, an interesting read. I have had similar experiences with small works. Lots of people simply can't afford larger works. about 80% of the paintings I've sold this year are studies or small works.

ElizaLeahy · #3 11-05-2002, 06:49 PM

Ah! THAT's why I got a ribbon!

Thanks Scott

Thanks everyone who was in it as well - interesting how different answers come to mean the same thing! I was also interested in all the different TYPEs of things we sell!

**sassybird** · #4 11-05-2002, 07:43 PM

You did a great job putting this article together. Learning techniques and business stategy that other people use is a paved road for us all. We can never know too much about how to market our work.

Helen Zapata · #5 11-05-2002, 08:35 PM

What a great article! Thanks to everyone who contributed!

I've only recently started painting small. It's a HUGE adjustment. But it's a lot of fun to see a finished painting in a few days, rather than several months! All the ones I've done have sold immediately (wooHOO!) except for one, which immediately snagged a commission for a larger one. Too cool!

Still having trouble "thinking small".. but it's coming. The hardest part for me is deciding on a composition, because I keep wanting to do everything big.

But needless to say, it's way too fun to be doing something really different.

Helen

impressionist2 · #6 11-05-2002, 09:49 PM

Scott, When I first got into a decent gallery about five years ago, as a beginner they asked me to submit 8" x 10" paintings, to try me out. (Leaving room I guess for their big gun painters large paintings). Result was, they all sold for $400. each over the next three years in two seasonal shows per year.

That got me into the "small is better" routine. Cheaper to frame, quicker to paint.

Then, ofcourse, my plein air sojourn required me to paint small.

Now E-Bay is providing the perfect outlet for my work. I am able to pull off one painting a day ( three if I kill myself) with an alla prima session.

On E-Bay my small work almost all get bids. That means they all sell.

I remember reading an article that said that people will naturally buy a small painting quicker than a large one because: a) less expensive, b) there's always room to hang it and c) it's cheaper to frame.

Hey, if you can produce them quickly and sell Enough of them, you can fly to Europe ( or whatever) in a year or two. (some of my goals)

Renee

Keenataz · #7 11-06-2002, 01:29 AM

Great article - thank you! Your timing was perfect.

I have recently gotten into painting miniatures for many of the same reasons your interview-ees mentioned. I have only done 2 4x6s so far - but it's been fun. Much less time!
I'm looking forward to more conversation in this area of painting.

regsart · #8 11-06-2002, 09:45 AM

Hello,

I paint and sell a lot of small things also . Great article! Now I have to go read the rest!

-Regan

Minibrush · #9 11-06-2002, 12:07 PM

I paint in miniature. I wouldn't call it small, but technically miniature (a larger piece for me would be 1 3/4" X 2 3/4") . Started exhibiting in miniature fine art competitions around the USA six years ago. Sold my first entry. Still sell at least one out of three pieces in nearly every competition. In the last year I've had two galleries pick me up. They love displaying the works on table easels among the smaller 3-D works. There have been steady sales from the galleries as well.

Part of the popularity of miniatures is that one can hold it in one's hand. It gives a sense of intimacy to the piece. Price is not always an incentive to buy, as miniatures are often just as, if not more complicated than full size pieces. I spend much more time on my minis than anything else. Plus a speck of dust can ruin a piece. Framing needs to be delicate, like the piece, mats absolutely precise.

Of course the small size makes them so easy to collect. That's a huge attraction.

Minibrush

Helen Zapata · #10 11-06-2002, 12:47 PM

Holy Moley Minibrush, your work is astounding. Such detail on such a tiny support. Great work!

haha.. and to think I feel like I'm squinting to work on an 8x10!

Helen

saint eyebeat · #11 11-06-2002, 01:41 PM

As an added note, I've been doing a fairly detailed study on what paintings sell on ebay and tiny paintings sell at a much higher percentage than larger works. Not only are they more affordable but people think of them more as collectibles and are willing to pay more for them (per square cm) than the larger paintings. One of the more lucrative areas on ebay for artists is doll house paintings. In general, these paintings are 3"x3" or smaller. I have seen these small acylic paintings go for nearly $200. Several sellers are making a very nice living with tiny paintings.

ArtMarkie · #12 11-06-2002, 06:18 PM

Hi there,

I like to travel to sales, it gets me out of the
house, and I can carry so many more of my
miniatures with me. I sold four this summer.
Something about selling my own product
is what makes me happy; that, and making
the customer happy.

I see some trend toward painting the
miniatures in groups of 2, 3, 4, etc. for
sale as a group or individually.

ElizaLeahy · #13 11-06-2002, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by saint eyebeat
One of the more lucrative areas on ebay for artists is doll house paintings

Doll house paintings? I've never heard of such a thing.

Where would they be listed?

writes4me · #14 11-06-2002, 11:38 PM

I understand my subject post maybe overstating the issue but I've been under such outside and inside pressure to go BIGGER. I'm a mosaic collage artist, I work with small bits of paper in intricate detail. Works larger than 11X14 not only slow my output but they, at times, dampen my enjoyment of the process.

I've been informed by the gallery showing my works that I need to go bigger and from looking at the huge canvas sized works that dominate the central portion of the gallery I felt like'd never get noticed with my smaller works. Well, long story short, Ihaven't sold anything at this gallery. The gallery owner is probably right. I should go larger but my best works have been small.

I wrote this to say, thank you for saying that not all my small (pardon the pun) works have not been in vain, that maybe it isn't my work but the gallery. I've priced my originals well below the $100 range, most $40-$60 and prints at about $25, so I don't think I've overpriced my stuff, even for smaller items (8"X10" and 11"X14").

Thanks,
Sunday (that's my real name)

Keenataz · #15 11-10-2002, 01:48 PM

I am enjoying making smaller works, but as I paint more of them I'm beginning to wonder where one gets beautiful frames for them. I have been painting mostly 4 x 6s so far so I have been able to use photo frames - but I can't say I've been impressed with them - even if I alter them myself. Do you have to make your own frames? (I'm afraid I don't have the tools). Or, buy them custom (very expensive)?

Keena

Salute to our Gold Partners