Don’t know where to start with pricing?
Pricing your paintings to sell can be a tricky task for artists. However, there are a few key things to keep in mind when determining a price for your work. Let’s get into it:
Materials and time
First, consider the materials and time you put into creating the piece. This includes the cost of canvas, paint, brushes, and any other materials used. Additionally, factor in the time you spent creating the piece, including the time spent on research, planning, and execution.
Experience
Next, consider your level of experience and success as an artist. If you are a well-established artist with a strong track record of sales, you may be able to charge more for your work. On the other hand, if you are a newer or lesser-known artist, you may need to charge less to attract buyers.
Market research
It’s also important to take into account the market for your specific style and subject matter. Research comparable prices for similar pieces by other artists, and consider what buyers in your target market are willing to pay.
It’s important to note that these examples are just a rough guide and pricing can vary depending on the artist, materials, level of experience and the market. The most important thing is to be realistic about the value of your work and price it accordingly.
Here are a few examples to help illustrate how to price your paintings:
A beginner artist creates a small, acrylic painting on canvas in their home studio. They use basic materials such as a stretched canvas, acrylic paint, and brushes. They spend about 20 hours creating the piece. In this case, the artist may want to price the painting at a lower cost, maybe around $50 to $100, to reflect their level of experience and the materials used.
An experienced artist creates a larger, oil painting on a stretched canvas. They use high-quality materials such as linen canvas, professional-grade oil paint, and expensive brushes. They spend about 100 hours creating the piece. In this case, the artist may want to price the painting higher, maybe around $1000 to $3000, to reflect their level of experience, the materials used, and the time spent on the piece.
An artist creates a series of watercolour paintings that depict a specific location. They conduct research, take photographs and make sketches to plan the paintings. They spend around 40 hours creating each piece. After researching the market, they find that similar pieces by other artists are priced at $600. They decide to price their paintings at $800 to reflect their level of experience and the time and research that went into creating the series.
Keep in mind that pricing your paintings is not a one-time task, it’s something you should do regularly as your career advances. And above all, be realistic about the value of your work and price it accordingly.
Professional help
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help from other artists, gallerists, or art consultants. They may be able to provide valuable insight and guidance on pricing your work.
You got this!
If you need some more help or ideas, check this out:
Share your thoughts:
Let us know in the comments: What other strategies have you found helpful when pricing your artwork? What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced when pricing your artwork?
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Colossians 3:23
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