pricing

[laytonartist]

Help! I have heard so many different ways to appropriately price oil painting that I am not confused! I have always done commission work and am now venturing forth to create what I want.

One artist suggest that I charge by the inch, i.e., if I want to sell an 8 x 10 piece for $150.00 then I would multiple 8 x 10 = 80 then determine how much the painting is worth by the inch. Then multiple every other painting 16 x 20 = 320 and charge by the inch.

Others suggest increasing the cost based on the size by increase the amount by $50-100.00 per upgrade in size.

What do you suggest??? Carol

[LarrySeiler]

Carol....

are you a beginning artist, intermediate, or professional? Have you no bio to speak of, or working with one the length of an arm?

These are issues that concern all of us. I have a huge reputation as a wildlife artist, but I'm painting more landscapes thus these days, so..does my reputation follow me or is it like starting over?

So..you start at a basic price. As your reputation develops and grows, and as demand for your work increases, so do your prices.

The size thing is based upon a labored ideal. Technician wages...illustration, commercial, etc; Some charge by the time they put in a work, some charge by the time they put in over many many years enabling them to do a new work. Crazy huh?

So..it is difficult without seeing your work, or knowing more about your work.

CT mentions that some work is more pertinent and meaningful to the artist, representing that which aesthetically is superior to their other works, and thus charges more.

To play it safe...I guess the size thing will work.

If you sell a 8" x 10" for $150, then say a 16" x 20" for about $300...you are doubling the size and price. I don't think you have to get a tape measure out and do the math, but if that works for you fine.

Some buyers need some justification for your asking prices. If you are popular, have been in a number of major galleries, won some competitions then "X" of dollars is understood. If one is yet to prove themselves, selling at the same is not understood. Better to sell low and be forced to raise prices than to overprice and be forced to lower. Good luck...

Larry

[laytonartist]

Larry,

Actually I have been painting for years and have sold must of my work; however, it has always been by word of mouth. It has only been in the past year, since I have established my studio, that I have decided to go professional.

Depending upon who you may compare me with I would describe myself as an intermediate-advanced artist. There is ALWAYS more to learn and greater skills to develop. The non-artist would say I am advanced and the truly established professional artist would say that I am intermediate.

I have not yet written a bio because I am 100% self-taught. After years of selling I have finally decided to go after an art degree. Frustrating from my university Dean who thinks I should be getting my Ph.D. instead of backsliding to a bachelor's degree.

Art is my passion and you only live once, so a Ph.D. will have to wait for another lifetime. Any suggestions on how to write a bio for a self-taught artist? Thanks. Carol

Originally posted by lseiler:
Carol....

are you a beginning artist, intermediate, or professional? Have you no bio to speak of, or working with one the length of an arm?

These are issues that concern all of us. I have a huge reputation as a wildlife artist, but I'm painting more landscapes thus these days, so..does my reputation follow me or is it like starting over?

So..you start at a basic price. As your reputation develops and grows, and as demand for your work increases, so do your prices.

The size thing is based upon a labored ideal. Technician wages...illustration, commercial, etc; Some charge by the time they put in a work, some charge by the time they put in over many many years enabling them to do a new work. Crazy huh?

So..it is difficult without seeing your work, or knowing more about your work.

CT mentions that some work is more pertinent and meaningful to the artist, representing that which aesthetically is superior to their other works, and thus charges more.

To play it safe...I guess the size thing will work.

If you sell a 8" x 10" for $150, then say a 16" x 20" for about $300...you are doubling the size and price. I don't think you have to get a tape measure out and do the math, but if that works for you fine.

Some buyers need some justification for your asking prices. If you are popular, have been in a number of major galleries, won some competitions then "X" of dollars is understood. If one is yet to prove themselves, selling at the same is not understood. Better to sell low and be forced to raise prices than to overprice and be forced to lower. Good luck...

Larry

[bruin70]

find a good gallery and work with them on a price range for your art....{M}

[laytonartist]

Thank you!

Originally posted by bruin70:
find a good gallery and work with them on a price range for your art....{M}