What are buyers looking for?

[EmilyC]

I'm not going to change how or what I paint just to make a sale, but are there little things (like the support) that maybe would make a difference? Like:

-- Canvas, board, or canvas panels?

-- And if you paint on canvas, do people really like the edges painted (and if so, how would you do that with oils? How would you set it down to dry if all the edges are wet?)

-- And if it is canvas, do you attach a wire to it as well for instant hanging?

I've been mostly painting on boards and canvas panels and haven't had much sucess on ebay and I was wondering if buyers don't like boards/panels? Are there any other little things that help?

[edenart]

People prefer stretched canvas. Edges do not have to be painted, but if you are concerned about edges drying, then you could always paint edges a solid color with acrylics. Acrylics are find under oils. So paint the edges before you start. I don't wire anything for hanging.

[Pink]

i think canvas board is a big no no on ebay. its more a surface for practice pieces.
i use primarly masonite, a.k.a. hardboard. its nice for me because it is cheap and easy to ship. but also heavy so it costs more to ship.
i think people are fond of gallery wrapped canvas. most dont like the idea of having to go out and search for a frame and frame it themselves. they'd rather take it out of the box and put it right up on the wall....although i have had a few tell me how they've had custom frames made for my gallery wrapped canvas pieces. i've had buyers email me asking me why i dont use canvas "like real artists do"...i then proceed to explain why "real artists" also use masonite but i dont think it really convinces them.
i was thinking of switching to canvas to see if it will improve my sales... what do you guys think?

[EmilyC]

Pink, when you say canvas panel, do you mean the Fredrix kind with the cardboard or canvas glued to masonite/hardboard? I meant the masonite kind, is that also a no-no? I was going to do the purple and yellow pansy from The Game on canvas and put that up on ebay to see if it would do any better than the boards.

[laurali]

I paint with oils on gallery-wrapped stretched canvas.

For the sides, I either paint with acrylic or paint the edges around with the oils.

If I am painting the sides with acryllic, I paint them first if I can decide which color. I use masking tape to get a clean, straight edge where they meet. If I painted them first, I put the masking tape right over the acrylic. If I am going to paint them after, I still mask off the edges of the canvas.

Whether I am using oil or acrylic for the sides, I use two strips of wood to balance the canvas. I lift it up from the bottom to get right to the edges. I dry it flat balanced on bamboo skewers (from the grocery store for shish kabobs). They lift it just a little off the surface, but that's enough.

I ship mine equipped with a canvas hanger. Art stores often carry them, but I buy in bulk from Dick Blick: http://www.dickblick.com/zz189/19/pr...m=0&ig_id=1081 I also buy my canvases from them (Fredrix creative edge at 40% off retail). There are less expensive canvases, even with the discount, but I like them. Dick Blick is also part of the http://www.igive.com network. If you start shopping from there, you can specify a percent of the sale to go to your favorite charity.

Things are sometimes slow on ebay, especially if you're just starting out. I only sold 10-20% of my listings for the longest time. I sell around 50% now (a year later). Many of those are on relisting. One thing that can really help is the words in your title. You want to hit the top search words, if they're appropriate. A little thing like "art" in the title can make a big difference.

Laura

[Pink]

when i said canvas panel i meant the fredrix kind you get in three packs cheap at the artstore...the canvas glued to a piece of cardboard...i think they are not acceptable for serious higher priced artwork. sorry, i should of been more clear with what i said.
i love the masonite. its what i use myself. i have been sucessful on ebay with it.
i am thinking of switching to the canvas as an experiment. i have a guy who can cut and put together all my stretcher bars from scratch very very reasonably and then i can stretch and gesso my own gallery wrapped canvas. it will still cost me more, but not as bad as buying the ones in the store....i might try it.
good luck with the flower on canvas. i hope it does well!

[arteitaliana]

I use MDF board 1/8" thick. I buy a 4x8' and have my hubby cut it to the sizes I need.
For paintings 10x20" and up I use gallery wrapped canvas.
I don't think the support matters that much...I often sell my small paintings on board for the same ( or even more) money as the larger ones on canvas. The image seem to count for more than anything else on ebay.

[arlene]

thanks rita for the info...especially since i'm thinking of biting the bullet and mayby trying a few acrylics on the board you talk about. I have a friend willing to send me a few 8 x 10's to try.

sigh...

[EmilyC]

Very interesting... thank you all for responding. I finished my pansy on canvas and will post that when it is dry to see if it does any better. I've only been at ebay for a short time and I wasn't expecting instant success at it, but I'm trying to figure out if my lack of success is because I'm new, it's just slow at ebay, my prices are high, my listings are bad or if my paintings just aren't any good (or any combination of them or other things!) I'll stop babbling now

Do you think 'art' would be better than 'oil' in the title?

[laurali]

I used to always have "Laura Original Oil" in my title. I've now substituted "Art" for "Oil" and only use "Oil" if I can fit in "Oil Painting."

The first three months I was on ebay, I sold one painting a week (out of five or more listings). It's hard not to have doubts if something doesn't sell, but, you're in a tight window of time on ebay and there are a lot of factors. Being new, you aren't going to get as many hits. People may see it and love it but not want to spend any money right now. They might be watching your work and buy something later on.

If you wonder about prices, you might try a range and see if the lower priced ones get bids sooner.

Laura

[Paintonbrush]

I use Duron (thick masonite) and my hubby cuts up 2 board s at a time so I have many of them at hand. I also use canvas from canvasplace.com....love their wrap canvas, good price. too.

[prtpix]

Re: Canvas Panel,
I do feel the Gallery Wrapped Canvas looks so much more professional. I try to use it as much as possible.
But, I do need to mention here that.
The painting that sold for the most $152.00 for me on E-Bay was on Fredericks Canvas Panel.
I tend to do a lot of dabbleing and experimenting.
and when I do that. I like to use the canvas panel.
But, I still list these paintings on E-Bay.
I do also mention that the work is on Canvas Panel in my auction description.
When I am more confident about a work I am about to do. I do use gallery wrapped canvas. It makes me feel good to use better supplies for work I know will come out nice.

[Shai]

Hmm... 'been on a very long break from online stuff, painting, and all (thanks to morning [aka 'all day'] sickness & all)... It's nice to join you guys here again on the WC boards.

Anyway, about surfaces: I paint on ALL kinds of surfaces - stretched canvas (gallery wrap and otherwise), canvas panels, canvas boards, canvas paper, canvas sheets, paper... I've listed - and sold - all types. Several of my repeat buyers bought pieces on different surfaces.

And, based on my experience selling on eBay & elsewhere - I agree with Rita, it's usually the IMAGE that sells the painting more than the surface. One of my paintings which sold (off-eBay) is on 12x16 canvas panel unframed, for around US$125. Some of my small 5x7 on canvas panel paintings even sold for around US$35 or more. I don't paint on canvas panels bigger than 12x16 - I turn to stretched canvases for bigger paintings.

With this said, I also agree with everyone who said that it's easier to sell pieces for a higher price on gallery wrapped stretched canvas. Sides painted - either with a solid colour or with continuous image - seems to be the most acceptable trend.

[edenart]

IMHO you should use the best materials you can afford. When I started out, I could only afford canvas panels because they are very cheap. So, I painted and sold a lot of work on them. I even sold one triptych for over $800 on ebay. However, now that I'm making more money with my paintings, I only use stretched canvas and I would not buy any more canvas panels. I think I have a few left somewhere, but usually those canvas on cardboard supports are intended for students and are not considered a professional support.

That said, many of the "masters" were also broke in their day and painted on cardboard, paper or even burlap. Paint on the best thing you can afford, with the best paint and the best brushes you can afford. That's what I do and it does make a difference.

[arlene]

Originally posted by edenart
IMHO you should use the best materials you can afford. When I started out, I could only afford canvas panels because they are very cheap. So, I painted and sold a lot of work on them. I even sold one triptych for over $800 on ebay. However, now that I'm making more money with my paintings, I only use stretched canvas and I would not buy any more canvas panels. I think I have a few left somewhere, but usually those canvas on cardboard supports are intended for students and are not considered a professional support.

That said, many of the "masters" were also broke in their day and painted on cardboard, paper or even burlap. Paint on the best thing you can afford, with the best paint and the best brushes you can afford. That's what I do and it does make a difference.

all very good advice Eden, but realize that masonite is considered a viable surface and many professional successful artists use it.