I have found it difficult to price my work based on what the going rate is because so many artists don't value their time or the gift they share. I for one want to bust the myth of the starving artist. $25./hour -seems incredibly low. Feels like not that much more than minimum wage. I have heard of the pricing model of price per square inch plus your costs times two. Appreciate your video.
Most of the pricing sites I have found suggest $1 per square inch as a starting point. The more recognized and professional can charge higher, and the beginners, etc. can charge lower.
Gwen, assuming the painter has determined a pricing model she is comfortable with, please talk about increasing one’s prices after some time has gone by (how often, by how much). Thank you!
I'm not ready to sell anything yet although I find it easier to calculate my currently totally hypothetical prices by the square foot than messing around with inches or centimetres. The advice that I consistently received was do not undervalue yourself. Art is a luxury not a budget item. There is no need ever to price things at rock bottom. Weirdly I get a lot of queries on Twitter X. even when I post photos of things that are obviously half finished. I haven't answered anyone yet so I don't know what the deal is or even if they're legit. Some of them are talking about NFTs, I don't understand why.
I wouldn’t do the one on the clock either. I’m like you I’d rather do that second one. It’s very hard for me to part with my artwork. I don’t know why it’s like I get so attached to it. It’s just how I am and I’m finding it very difficult. But I want to put my name out there to be known as an artist. And I do mostly watercolors and I’m finding it hard to price them. so you never charge by composition because I feel some compositions are worth more money than others. Some paintings are more detailed more I appealing. That’s why I’m kind of confused on how to set prices. I mean if you paint a picture of one large flower, compared to work a detailed a Seascape. I don’t know I have to think about it and how to price it. Because when you watch like the antique roadshow, when you come across artwork, they seem to do that they go by the composition of naturally, who painted it of course. Period so I’m kind of confused. I was thinking of bringing it to an art gallery where they sell art and maybe they can give me ideas on how much to charge for my paintings. I feel some of them are really quite lovely and that’s my take on it.
I am making great, sellable art........but it's all on paper. I can't find even one place/person to compare prices with, and every "professional" artist only talks about gallery-type pricing their huge canvases. I want to make good, affordable abstract art for "the masses" that isn't your pat landscape or animal or flower, but I don't want to give it away. Can ANYONE please give me a starting point? I'd like to offer them with a mat but no frame if possible?
Great video Gwen in answering the age old questions all artists ask and wonder about. I usually use the first system...but am liking the linear inch, it's so much easier! So, are you suggesting adjusting a set price for specific sizes...maybe more for smalls and less for larger pieces...but stay consistant within that? Thanks again for the great video!👌
So clear and straightforward. I like the linear method, however, I paint on different substrates, from paper to canvas to panels [mainly because I'm starting out and trying to figure out what I like best]. My question is, if I use the linear method, doesn't it make sense to adjust the amount some due to the cost of the substrate? I mainly use watercolors and/or acrylics, so mediums for me isn't the main issue. Thanks!
Same question & I haven't found any answers. Difference in pricing paper vs canvas isn't made clear anywhere! What did you finally decide? Your method? Ack! I'm ready to sell and it's such a gray area!
@@yopestevens1505 I agree! I have finally decided to price my art at $1 per square inch. As I grow and my sales increase, I may offer a distinction between substrates, but for now, I price them the same because I typically paint with acrylics on all substrates. I hope that makes sense.
@@cab552 Oh you are the best, thank you! That's kind of where I'm at in my head but was thinking it might be too much for paper substrate. It's not really about the money (for now at least), I just want to share it, find out if people like it, but also I don't want to give it away. Most are on 11x14 good paper and for those I'm thinking of asking $180 to $200 if they come with a mat fitting to a 16x20 frame. I really like using paper instead of canvas and will stay with it if I can get that price. If not, I guess I don't sell and just keep them all & keep working on paper anyway....that's okay with me, I love them! Thanks again, so much :) Edit: forgot to say I work exclusively with acrylics :)
@@yopestevens1505 Absolutely! I always mat my paintings on paper and have a plain, 100# backing. Then I slip the painting with mat into an acrylic sleeve to protect the piece. I think going the extra mile like that should draw a better price. Also, your skill level is another factor. I think your price sounds reasonable!
@@cab552 Not sure about my skill level, really hard to know that. I do have about 300 "good " ones out of the roughly 500 I've done in the past few years, so I hope other people like them too. No one has ever seen them except for my better half, so we'll see....
Thank u so much for the info! QUESTION: How abt as the yrs pass? Do u increase ur original price to the older paintings or to ur growth as an artist????
I just ran across your channel because I’m trying to price my paintings for a show. I like the linear inch plan, but am confused about the $20. Is that cost of materials? I have a 18x24 gallery wrapped canvas, plus an expensive frame, but adding those makes it too expensive.
Number one...you must cover all your expenses. I finally learned not to put expensive frames on my work because people never really understood or appreciated the frame. Sometimes we need to cut down on the cost per inch if we need to cover a frame. Number two...if it is a wrap around canvas i don't frame them ....leave that to the buyer.
Such great information for artists Gwen! It took me many years to figure this out and thinking back, I really wished more experienced artists had shared that info.😘
Hi, Thanks for this and I was so looking forward to this video. Would you please advice how much to charge for a very detailed painting with so much layers as a beginner artist.?If I can show it to by email and the price I have decided would you please let me know whether it is ok/reasonable/good ? Thanks
Love how you explain things and you have helped me feel even more comfortable with my choice of pricing method. I only started to price my work this year with a consistent pricing method and it has made a big difference. I use the linear inch method and my $/£ number is very low at the moment but I can review that in the future and increase it. I'm happy with the method and I found at my first art show this year that my prices sat nicely at the middle section of 'new to the art scene' price zone. When I return to it next year my prices will have increased to the 'newly experienced' price zone. I also now have pricing space for my new prints and greeting cards. If I priced my work like I used to then my prints and originals were too close together and it devalued my originals. Thanks for all your support :)
If you charge per square inch, you didn’t explain how to make adjustments so small work isn’t too cheap and some larger pieces aren’t too expensive. Do you choose a price for a midsize piece and work up and down from there to price other pieces?
