Pricing your Artwork: Part Two
February 25, 2022 – Written by Bethany Fields
Last week, I shared some thoughts about selling artwork and how I learned to navigate the questions and uncertainty of pricing.
Let’s just dive in to part two!
Some have asked about Etsy.com, Dailypaintworks.com, fineartamerica.com, or even eBay.com to use as selling platforms.
I have used the first two off and on over the years and have found them to be good places to share your work with a supportive clientele. I like both because the shopping cart and admin areas are robust and mostly easy to learn. Etsy used to feel much more intimate but has morphed into a bigger entity and I’m not sure about it lately. Unless you have an established clientele, t can be hard to “be seen.” Dailypaintworks caters strictly to artists and with a low fee (and a free trial period!), it is a good starting place for new sellers.
Right now, I have a limited number of small works available in my dailypaintworks gallery. I find this site especially easy to post and share my studies and demonstrations (although I don’t list my larger gallery works here). I also sell directly through my main portfolio site at bethanyfields.com and of course at events and exhibits. Right now, I am not affiliated with gallery representation, but am always open to the idea! Several years ago, I pulled out of some galleries have since been selling out of my home studio. My area isn’t especially known for being an art haven and I have liked the freedom of being able to sell and make deals as they come. I love getting an email from someone who loves a painting, can’t live without it, wants to know how much and how soon I can send it! I love to hear stories of how my painting is for their mother or wife or it reminds them of a special vacation or moment…or maybe it reminds them of home.
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My current pricing is still per square inch for my gallery works, if it is framed or unframed, materials used, etc. This pricing changes a bit for my studies or demo paintings. When a client emails me, I give them two prices – framed/unframed, and also a separate shipping charge. My larger paintings are priced at a lower per square inch price than my smaller/medium works. This helps reduce a little sticker shock for my clients. When I give the framed price, I don’t markup the frame cost to pad in any way; I add the same fee I’ve paid to have it framed. If I am framing it myself, I will add the cost of my time plus materials.
Once you’ve settled on your pricing, it’s important to actually get paid! I use a Paypal business account for online purchasers, and also accept money via Venmo. I also take cold hard cash and money orders and local checks from people I know and trust.
You can read more about online payment services here:
These sites and apps have fees depending on the amount paid to you. There is usually not a charge to transfer your earnings to your bank account. Fees are automatically taken out.
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Once you’ve completed those steps, you’re ready to put your toe in the water!
No one will ever give you money if they don’t know you are selling. It’s a leap of faith to put yourself out there. You’re inviting people to smirk at you, hang up on you, laugh at you (though it will probably just seem that way), email you only to get you excited, then to never return your messages. You’re also inviting in those who love your work, want to support you, and will cherish your vision and artistic effort.
Above all, trust yourself that you’re in the right place at the right time, doing good things. No one should ever look down on others who are trying.
Remember: People who try are brave.
So in short:
•Do your research in your local market to see what others are charging. Attend openings and art events to get a good grasp on the current pricing. (For a look back at the first post on my pricing guidelines, click here.)
•Start your pricing at the “I would pay for this” level. Consider charging by the square inch.
•Enter your work in an open exhibit or see if the local frame shop will hang your art (usually you pay for their framing and sometimes they give you a discount). Check out restaurants, too; they are often great places to hang. If the work is being snapped up very fast, it’s probably too low or maybe you’re just amazing! 🙂
•Sign up for Paypal to begin receiving payments!
•Give yourself a pay raise for juried exhibits, awards, and new boosts of technique.
Setting prices needs to be unemotional, selling pieces can be very emotional. Don’t conflate the two.
If you are wary about selling a piece or if it is too emotional for you, don’t sell it. Some pieces are too precious to part with (at least until you’ve painted something better)! I keep my “mile-marker” paintings or pieces that have won a prestigious award or been in an esteemed exhibit.
Trust your gut. You can read all you like about pricing strategies, but nothing will teach you to swim like heading into the waters. It can be scary and overwhelming, but can also be an absolute joy and then, you’re floating.
I am here in your corner, cheering you on.
xoxo,
Bethany
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