Help! Selling amateur paintings.... how much?

[frontierpsych]

I really need to make some money right now-- baby on the way and DH's job alone isn't cutting it.

I'd love to sell some of my artwork, but I'm afraid it's too ameteur.

I had never painted (besides like as a kid) before about a year ago.

Most of my paintings are acrylic or water color, on about 16 x 20" canvas.

Here are a few of my paintings, so you can get an idea of the quality:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...irstfaerie.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...gnantwoman.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ose/Amanda.jpg

Anywho, not bad for never really painting before, but not something you'd see at a gallery for thousands either.

I'd love someone just to give me a ballpark figure on how much they'd guess I could sell them for, or any tips to make selling easier. It's very important to me!

[Blooming]

Hey mama. I'm an artist also. I mostly do large scale abstract oil paintings but have done some that size as well. On a good day art is hard to sell, with the economy being in the crapper its even harder now.


When I looked at your painting (esp the first 2) I immeditly thought they were something I would buy on a greeeting card, or fridge maganet. (This is not an insult it was I could just see myself drawn to them in that way). I don't know if you have the means to reproduce your work in that way or not. Right now that is how most of the artist in my artist guild are making money.

As for pricing the painting as a whole you will get 20 diffrent opinions on how to do that. My formula is materials+time(hourly rate)=

There is a fine line with art, if you price it too high the majority of people run away, If you price it too low (say if you put $10 on them) some people will consider it "cheap art". A lot of it is the community you are in.

You could try selling them here on TP where you would probably have liked minded clients. Of course then you have to think of shipping.

I would also look into seeeing if your community has a local artist guild. That may give you the advantage of doing some group shows, hearing about who's looking for art and just general inspiration.

Good luck! I have a room full of paintings I would love to see go.

[thebarkingbird]

there are companies that will print your stuff on cards and the like relative cheaply. you can find them on the web. what about bringing the paintings as samples to a few stores. see if they'd be interested in your "line" and if so have a few cards or magnets printed up. that might work but it could be a big risk so run the number CAREFULLY!

[frontierpsych]

Thanks for the advice! I never considered magnets and cards. I'm having a hard time with this latest painting. I'm much better at drawing, honestly. I have so much unique aretwork in my head, but have had such a hard time putting it down on canvas.

I think I may stick with art just as a hobby and work on my writing for now.

But I'll keep this advice in mind as my skills improve.

[eepster]

cafepress.com or zazzle.com can print magnets, mugs, greeting cards, shirts, etc. They both have market places where you can offer you items for sale at no cost. If you want to you can also create a website and use it to link to your items offered on cafepress or zazzle. You can also order items printed with your designs in bulk from them.

I sell through the cafepress market place mostly, and do ok. I get very few sales from zazzle, they just don't get as much traffic, but they have a much more interesting selection of merchandise. I don't try to do any sale by ordering stuff to sell, b/c I don't have time with the baby and there is the risk of loosing money.

Placing the digital image of your paintings on merchandise does not mean that you can't also sell the originals. You might consider estsy.com for that. Browsing through the paintings already there will give you an idea of what others are charging for similar pieces.

[frontierpsych]

Well, I've been on Etsy for about a month and a half now, and I'm having pretty good success with that

[famousmockngbrd]

So how much are you getting for them? And are you selling them as paintings or cards/magnets etc.?

[frontierpsych]

My paintings have run about $40-60, depending on the size, although I'm getting better, so the prices are going up gradually. I do ACEOs for $9, and a few other arts and crafts thrown in for fun and variety. I have just been selling the originals, though, for now. I might branch out into other stuff later.

[famousmockngbrd]

That's awesome!

[jsrsolution]

Hi,

I am a small portrait painter i know one site where you can sell your paintings as well as they can hire you for further assignment also but trey this only if you are going to be professional portrait painter in future or you can go for eBay, criaglist, red bubble, etc.

Thanks

[juliebird]

Red Bubble?

Have you checked out Red Bubble? I am not that familiar with it, but I understand you can exhibit your work (and try to sell it) for free...

maybe something to check out...

[juliebird]

oop...they do deduct something if you sell

check it out if it's interesting to you http://www.redbubble.com/info/sell-art

[mama kk]

I am really drawn to the middle painting you shared... I think you should keep at painting (or drawing!) Even in your paintings are not "professional", that is precisely what they have going for them. If you are diligent your style will shine through each one!
I started on Esty a few months ago and I think if you are willing to put the time in that it could be worth the effort. Although, I think it is a hard time to try to make money as an emerging artist too... I have noticed that artists with prints and artists who have a distinctive style or niche seem to do well.
Good luck!!!