How to price my artwork?

[@Dallas-Nyberg]

I charge by the square inch. For "stock" paintings I have a fixed, per square inch price. For commissioned pieces, the cost is slightly higher, plus, for these, I ask for 25% deposit (non-refundable). The reason the deposit is non-refundable, is to cover my costs/time, should they , for some reason, refuse to complete the purchase once the painting is finished. A lot of the commissioned pieces I do, are usually of a subject, that may be hard to sell as a stock piece to another buyer. Thankfully that situation has not arisen. I never allow bartering for a cheaper price. Once you fall into that trap, you will set a precedent for the prices of future paintings. Stick to your guns. I have found that sometimes people have a champagne desire, but, in reality, only have beer budget. What I do in these cases, is recommend a smaller, and therefore, more affordable piece. It works. An old artist gave me this piece of advice a long time ago.." Do not paint just for the money, paint because you love it....if you love it, then you will do it well... the art will sell itself" Cheers

[@GemCaprica]

Good advice. Thank you for sharing.

[@sasflipper]

Great advice.

[@madlienfam]

Thank you 🌹

[@duaaizzidienart3242]

That is so helpful!!!

[@rebeckasvensson838]

So good! This advise is telling me to value me and my art! I really really want to live by this, if i cant appreciate and value what i do, how can i expect someone else to do that! Its so important!

[@luln5122]

Guilt after pricing is painful for me. Thanks to you now i am really relieved. Now i have something to give my buyers to think over as a starting price point and they will decide wether to buy my work or not. Thanks a lot. You are an angel!!! It is really helpful.

[@ChantalDupuis]

I started painting 5 years ago and I have been accepted in a gallery which was really exciting! My first sales were last year and I use the square inch formula. For me, as a beginner, I felt comfortable charging $1 per sq inch + cost of frame. I didn’t understand why double the price of the frame especially since watercolour frames are so expensive. This formula works as I sold 6 pieces now and I have had 5 commissions. I use a different amount for the commissions as they are more high pressure “gigs” and I ask for 50% deposit. I plan to do the pricing increase once I reach the 10 originals sold (not counting commissions). Thanks for the video, love to listen to how pros do it! Great input! Chantaldupuis.art

[@helenedewit6105]

As an abstract artist I tested this method by using size of the canvas incl materials ect. So for my having a fixed pricing (while keeping an eye on the supply market) costumer where more than willing to pay. Thank you for your awesome videos!

[@theresaparis354]

I really appreciate your advice and encouragement, as a beginner I feel like I'll never get better, I don't ever see improvement , it's so frustrating. So it really helps how you explained 😀what the process of improvement timewise. It helps to be more realistic for me. Thank you, it is very useful for my development as an oil painter. Thank you.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

so happy to have you here, and thank you for your kind comment :)

[@tangents6299]

An artst I know put a 2000.00 price on a painting, which was really high for her, because she really loved it, didn't think it would sell, and it DID!

[@julienielsen3746]

Wow, that's awesome.

[@YggdrasilAudio]

Talk about saying no with a price.

[@tangents6299]

@@YggdrasilAudio that's just it, it sold at the higher (than normal) price

[@brendadrew834]

Interesting, she got lucky! I went into a local art gallery where I live which is in a east coast resort area famous for it's art schools and galleries and artists ever since the 19th century! A huge gorgeous painting was hanging there, asking price $29,000 dollars! This was back in the 1990s! I always wondered if it ever sold and whoever bought it had to be wealthy and have the wall space to hang it like in a museum! I find that too many people treat art galleries like museums. They go to look at paintings/art, but they don't necessarily buy! And I heard that art gallery owners ask for 70 percent of the cost of the painting leaving the artist with just 30 percent! That was years ago and I'm wondering if that formula still holds true today and if it's even a worst case scenario for the artist?

[@ArtistGV]

Ellen you do make me feel better. I do have a piece that I am attached to and I feel guilty not wanting to sell it like my others. I needed an affirmation from another artist that it is ok to keep it.

[@katecassidy5421]

You can keep it and have some nice Giclee Prints made on canvas and sell them. That way everyone wins! Kate Cassidy

[@rosemarieschmidt3071]

Alll your comments were very useful for me ! thank you so much !!

[@WY-ui5xg]

I was searching for the information of Art printing process and I found you! I totally fond into your videos here and make me brainstorming. Thank you Helen ! You're good mentor for me and I'll keep viewing your videos. Thanks again and Have a nice day!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

You're very welcome! ☺️

[@lisagreene8104]

Realize our own worth and our artwork. So important to remember when waiting for sales. Thank you!

[@BuckRogers2000]

Thanks for this. As a digital art enthusiast, I don't have the problem of selling art I'm attached to. Keep up the great work!

[@Patr212]

I price taking account of how long each piece takes to paint, and how detailed it was to paint/price of materials. I also have a natural instinct on the value of each piece.

[@stevejorde]

Ellen I have done artwork where I have point blank questioned why I even wasted paint on it, but my clients saw something different in the piece and they sold! It still baffles me to this day!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

That happens to me quite frequently, too!

[@belindawest3558]

Ellen I sold 5 pieces of my alcohol inks on yupo for two grand and two 10x10pours for 600 dollars. I am so excited. She came to my house and went crazy. I priced my work as to how crazy she was over the piece. Only one small one was framed all the others were matted. I can’t tell you what your encouragement has meant to me

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Belinda West congratulations on your big sales!! I encourage you to keep your pricing consistent with those sales now that you have a good baseline. So excited for you!! 😀

[@JudiChristopher]

Belinda West "You Go Girl" I am soooo Happy for YOU!!! You are an Inspiration... ;)

[@killsforthrills]

Thats amazing

[@gematria125]

Just one very good advice for all artists...how to decide when a picture is ready for sale. Very simple, when you would put it on your wall in your house without hesitation. Many artists I met selling pictures that they are not like which is the first step to a very bad reputation. If you ever succeed, believe me, those are the first pictures that will be shown to the publicity. So, the rule of thumb....you like, they will too.

[@duaaizzidienart3242]

Hi Ellen, I'm so glad I discovered you. Pricing has been something which I've really struggled with. I've not sold a piece yet, I've mostly given my pieces away to close friends and family. I'm setting up my website and have a rough idea if cost based on what other artists charge, but your video and other people's comments have really helped. Thank you.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for your comment, Izzy 😊

[@daveh9521]

This video is only useful if you make refrigerator magnets. If there are any real artists watching this, you already know how to price your work - and never, ever price by the hour! For everyone else, learn to evaluate your own talents and product (no small task), then find your market. In the real world of galleries (they're all different too), set a minimum. That's the price the gallery won't go below without your approval, but the gallery will sell your art for as much as they can. In this way you establish your market and range. The gallery will evaluate your work and help with that. Probably the worst piece of advice in this video, is to hold onto your best work. If you ever want to find some success as an artist (lots of long self examination here), put your best work out there! Let go of the part of your ego that is holding you back. Sure, I have a few paintings I've made for myself. Some useful advice: talk to galleries, show them your work, and above all - listen to what they have to say. You don't have to agree with them, but listen. Decide just what kind of artist you want to be and find a way to produce that art. Don't do prints! The art market is saturated with them. You'll have to sell a hundred prints to get what a single original painting might sell for, besides, serious art buyers interested in your work don't want prints of that work floating around. Finally, produce meaningful work. Put your heart and soul into it. A brief background - I was an illustrator for almost 30 years. Today I produce paintings for several galleries. Oddly, my long background as a 'commercial' painter has grown in me great resources I can use, not only for gallery relationships, but in commissions and outside work.

[@scpatl4now]

I do hand dyed textile art, and I generally price by the square inch. I have pieces that go through the dyeing process up to 3 times which I also charge for (because that is triple my time). I know that this video is 4 years old, but people might not want to put much stock into Etsy prices of comparable 'work'. Etsy has started to allow drop sellers on the platform. That means they are selling someone else's work (and sometimes mass produced overseas). They price things so low I don't see how they even make their costs sometimes.

[@natalykenny2069]

Thank you so much for your advice! Very informative and helpful!❤❤❤❤

[@onlyyou711]

Ellen, I really like your presentation and felt you covered every question that has ever come up for me in this area. I just perused some of your other video titles and realize I must subscribe. There is a wealth of information for artists that you seem to be answering. Thanks for putting in the time for us all.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for such a heartfelt and kind response to my video; I'm so glad you decided to subscribe! :)

[@deelynn8611]

Thank you! Very helpful! heading to look at Etsy now!

[@x3csP]

Your advice is the best i have seen on youtube.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I'm truly humbled by your comment - thank you!

[@sweetlasvegassuccess]

Ellen you are worth SO much more than what you advise. Value yourself.

[@hummerlady54]

I have struggled with this so much. Thank you for a "no guilt", realistic way to price my art.

[@JoseVazquez-wf3fx]

Ellen, many thanks for sharing advice on pricing one’s artwork, I truly appreciate it! Awesome!!

[@zylcjusz2344]

Very thoughtful advices, well measured and logical. But that's nothing compering with a fantastic ability to make it interesting/exciting to watch! Thank you.

[@AccentShmaccent]

These are great. I’m new to your channel, and am loving it!

[@reenatripathy6610]

Please share what type of canvas, art materials n new techniques to be used

[@christopherblalockfineart3557]

I use price per square inch. The trick is finding how much per square inch. Right now, factoring expenses and 'labor' I am at $1.10 per. So far this seems to be working for me! Love to all and thank you Ellen!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Christopher, thank you for sharing this info here. SO glad you've found a method that is currently working for you! 👌🏼

[@JohnBBadd]

I don't have a method yet, but based on my research, price per square inch seems to be the most recommended. The medium and base as well as framing can of course be added in. It's also recommended that you raise your price per square inch about once a year, and never move backwards or have blow out sales. So like Christopher is charging $1.10 per inch, next year he may go up to $1.15, then $1.25. And if you are selling all your paintings faster than you make them, then jump that price up a little faster. Supply and demand being the defining market forces. The down side I see to this, is that I can do a 600 square inch abstract painting in an hour, or a 600 sq inch highly rendered piece in 150 hours. So you would likely want to factor that in as well. Best of luck to both of you in whatever methods you move forward with.

[@mr.mikesart7111]

Love the numbers. I'm planing on 1 dollar unframed

[@brendadrew834]

Thank you, great advice imho! I've been a professional artist for over 50 years and was a former now retired fashion illustrator in NYC and had my own art business several years ago but it had a different more commercial angle. This time it's my first foray as a fine art painter! So since I'm not just a person that just graduated from high school with a talent in art, I have to add my experience and background into the pricing to a degree. I also want to take a small percentage and donate the proceeds to a cause I advocate and am hoping that helps sell my paintings as well. I use acrylic and that's less costly than oil paint and I don't paint too large. But I think I should be charging more per hour than a person flipping hamburgers at a fast food joint. I was also a professional floral designer for a supermarket chain but they just paid us the standard minimum wage no higher than someone bagging food though they asked for "Creative people" in their looking for employee ads! Even artists have to eat, and we have to protect ourselves from ending up the proverbial "starving artists" esp now that food prices are skyrocketing as well as rents! Pricing may be one of the more difficult aspects of selling ones art, along with signing one's name! Ironically, I find that harder than painting the painting! lol

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

With all of your previous experience in the arts I see this being a wonderful transition for you, Brenda. And you're soooo right! Pricing can be incredibly challenging!

[@rosaliejewell4824]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio “

[@terricausey6191]

Hi Brenda I hope your still out there! I just found you. I will be showing my art in my first showing. I was thinking to price my 8x11 framed floral prints, 35.00 . Do you think that is too low? My inflamed prints are in clear sleeves and going did 15.00. I hope I hear from you thanks! @@EllenBrennemanStudio hi

[@terricausey6191]

Meant to write unframed

[@manuelaherr9027]

Dear Ellen! I love your videos and the experience you share with us! Even your personal Art journey with all your terrible memories, that were the reason you put out your painting supplies again and built on that the wonderful Art career that you have now! You were so brave in telling us your personal Art journey and you can be so proud of yourself; not everybody has the ellbows to stand in front of a camera and tell the story that you shared with us, dearest Ellen! I'm proud to be one of your subscribers and part of the community that follows you!!! You helped me out so much with your good advice and you have been so patient with me,that I can just say thank you to you from the bottom of my heart!!! I really appreciate it! Keep going dear Ellen, you are such a wonderful woman and be blessed in all you do! I'm looking forward to your next video! Lots of Love from me, Manuela from Germany,to you dearest Ellen!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you, Manuela - how incredibly kind of you to say! ☺️❤️

[@mr.mikesart7111]

I like the look on esty tip. Pricing is so difficult to establish. Do I price to sell, or do I price to protect past clients, square inch versus by the hour. Its all tough and individual based.

[@thisisart3750]

Sold painting base on meterial cost, knowledge.. brush craft texture u can see at the painting small thing.. and value.. feelings and sentimental value..emotion..

[@debbrand8106]

Thanks for your generosity🙏🏻

[@fireandfumesartstudio5103]

I charge a flat studio nominal fee for work plus a fee based on square inch. It's easy for the customer to understand. Studio fee for materials and base time then price per square inch for actual painting.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for contributing to this conversation with your comment; greatly appreciated!

[@petroshingalana8556]

Your advice is so great 👍 thank you Petro Shingalana, from South Africa

[@sc-tk2ms]

I just found you I love you I've watched four in a row, now you pretty much reiterated what I know to be true myself but it gives it better perspective when someone else delivers the message as well. Very helpful.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you so much! :)

[@rapVCK]

Cheers Ellen, you have been most helpful. Now I can take relief in that I have some logical approach...

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Happy to help!

[@williamking1766]

Thanks for the very helpful advice. I found that several works I am emotionally invested in were priced too high, while several /iwas unsure of were priced too low. Good information and I appreciate it.

[@JudiChristopher]

I never did liner inch I did like: 8" x 10" = 80 square inches times that by ... $1.00 a sq in = $80. (example)

[@pearlwhitestudio9878]

That is also how I price.

[@howardhill3395]

I like square inches because that provides consistency in the eyes of the customer or gallery

[@MikeHottVOD]

$2/sq in or more.

[@346UNCLEBOB]

Same here. I price by square inch.

[@ivorytower99]

$1 per square inch? must be low-detailed work.

[@rocket81ful]

Thanks Ellen , very helpful info-, painting on canvas being only new, at it for the last 2 & 1/2 years, i have steadily been filling my home with paintings, have been only giving some to close friends and family. I wish now to take that next step, like my local fair, market. within the last 2 year's and a bit I have accumulated a pretty large cost in that time with materials and such. So would be nice to get something back I guess. Anyway cheers thanks again on your advice.

[@andresalvarezart]

This video was very helpful. pricing is one of the many ongoing struggles I've had when it comes to selling my work. Thank you

[@CrayonBoxDoodles]

Also, thank you SO much for these videos! It's such a jungle out there for artists and it's nice to have someone share their personal experiences. :0)

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

paigekeiser what a nice comment, thank you! I sometimes feel like I drone on and on without making much sense so I’m glad that isn’t always the case 😂 I do have plenty of experiences to share, that’s for sure! 😉

[@katecassidy5421]

I spent the day yesterday pricing all of my art so I can put it on a digital site. Today I started to put the prices on the site...and I choked. I don't want to devalue my work by underpricing it...and I don't want to lose sales by overpricing my art. I did square inch, added in canvas, frame, wiring and labor to hang...and then threw in a little extra because the first were some of my favorites. Then I went to some sites and saw people selling the same size pieces for over $1k...and I felt like I was undervaluing my work. I didn't get an art degree, and have had some training, but mostly self taught, so I tend to feel I'm not at the level I need to be. This is after 20 years of painting as a hobby and selling at some juried shows and to friends and neighbors. So much is just about self confidence, and that comes with live exhibits that I couldn't attend this year. I thank you for your recommendations. I put myself at ease with your comments about charging hourly. So I'm going to start over. I feel like I have just met my Art Therapist, Ellen. I needed this. Thank you!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Kate, thank you so much for your comment; it makes me happy to know that you found value in this video! Believe me, I have been there - and still wring my hands sometimes when I put a price on a piece. I don't know if that feeling will ever fully go away....it is just one of the hazards of the job, I guess. Best of luck to you!

[@robinblack7144]

Excellent advice, Ellen! Thanks so much for sharing your secrets!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

You are so welcome!

[@davidshowers7508]

Stumbled on yr page. An this same info, some months ago I needed advice on . You gave just what I was looking 4. Thanks

[@tangents6299]

Stefan Bauman suggests selling by square inch, starting at 2.00. And raising that amount each year, and double your price on the frame.

[@nitikasood4670]

Thank you so much Ellen, all your videos are very helpful. I am really grateful to you :)

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

you're so kind, thank you for leaving such a sweet comment! 🙂

[@ysvry]

havent been selling any of my art yet but am thinking to let just let the market decide the prize, keeping in mind my lazieness so trying to do as little as possible making as much as possible and not compromising artistically, ready makes springs to mind as starting point. Also in the back of my mind selling something you made with this godgiven talent might make me feel a bit whory, and also if things realy work out you get emotionaly attached to the work and want to keep it myself. ;P

[@stephaniepotterart]

I’m super happy 😃 I found your channel. I’m really focused on growing my art sales and creating a clientele. I’ll keep watching 👍

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Welcome, Stephanie! Thank you for being here! 😊

[@99thehighstreet69]

Pricing is easy generally keep coming down till you feel your pride dent and that's the area you can go up in price but never down unless it's hush hush for special reasons like the buyer cries Infront of the painting but has little money that's a serious compliment and should be rewarded or you will burn in hell but first make sure you aren't standing on their foot or something .then scale price according to size .watch market resistance and sometimes too cheap just isn't sexy.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts here and I do like the idea of going with your gut (and pride) to set pricing; I know of a few artists that do just that and they're quite happy because they refuse to compare their pricing with others. Something to think about for sure!

[@decaxavaded]

Until I feel my pride dent, got it. This is how I thought I should price my work but I wasn't completely sure. Thank you for this information.

[@kennethcedricalcazar2364]

@@decaxavaded update bro, what happened?

[@healingarts5119]

@@decaxavaded wrong approach with the price dent. You need to let go of neediness and feel rich. If you feel rich you will attract rich people who will afford your art. As about negotiation, Read the book called "never split the difference."

[@awesomeyou3679]

Thank you so much Ellen for these tips. Don't worry, you're doing fine. It did really help me clarify some blocages I had about pricing my work. Now I can move on with this in mind. Oh by the way, I love the way you talk, like you take your time to explain things and all... Keep up the great work you do.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I greatly appreciate your comment, thank you!

[@moonblowerkit]

What a lovely person you are. Thank you so much for your good advice ❤️

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

You're very kind, thank you - so glad you found this helpful! :)

[@moonblowerkit]

You’re welcome! I’m completely new to Etsy, but I want to try to sell some of my drawings. How do I describe it in the listings when I have multiple original drawings of the same object? I like to draw owls with pen and ink. They might look similar, but there will obviously be variations. I hope you can take your time to answer my question.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I would suggest you start by reading the Etsy handbook. I've gone through the latest news and will copy a link for you here which will hopefully give you the information you're looking for: www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/create-listings-that-convert/366469719354

[@soniaamani5042]

Thanks alot , from your nice and valuable information . I live in Afghanistan , and iam Artist , I decided to share my art works on etsy .

[@soniaamani5042]

I have a question , when the art seller will receive the money from buyer ? and also is the Etsy site secure for money ? thanks .

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Yes, Etsy is secure for seller and buyers and I believe payments are generated once weekly.

[@janswan8584]

I priced an 8"x8" oil painting at $850, thinking it would not sell, and it did sell! I don't like the linear or square inch method because a small painting might be a much better painting than a large one and would merit a higher price based on quality.

[@robinblack7144]

Thank you, Ellen, for sharing your expertise! Lots of great information and advice here. I appreciate you!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

You are so welcome!

[@erinwalker9173]

I've been doing a lot of pour paintings, which basically take more supplies than anything. So I've been pricing based on the size's going price of pour paintings on Etsy.

[@313pookie313]

Thank you Ellen for all your help and suggestions

[@henryg3871]

Excellent video and THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@jefla7]

Ellen it's really helpful to me, you are motivating people ❣️

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for your kind comment :)

[@jfnoble8824]

Thanks.....keep up the good work.....

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for the encouragement! :)

[@petitpapillonart3065]

very very informative. I'm using the linear method right now and that seems to make the most sense to customers (of original work...my commissioned work is a bit more). I found the square inch method had too much of a range from 5x7 to 18x24, for example.

[@artysqueezy184]

Thanks Ellen this is so helpful as most of us artists are not business people!! And this really helps so much! Thank you!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

You're very welcome - glad you're finding my videos helpful!

[@kimsfusionart]

brilliant totally agree with as you get more experienced you get alot faster and this is when you start making some real profit, years ago i did cake decorating and we would time ourselves lol, we could complete something in 20mins excellent profit back then, i`m like that with my art, i sat down the other day after a couple of sales and went wow ok on those painting i was like on 100 per hour, thanks for solidify my decision to have set prices dependant on size, i`m only new to selling my work after years of practice and hiding it away . I've also seperated up what i would do for an Exhibition/more concept work and what is going to be my mainstream work, Concept pieces the more out there ones will have much higher prices. Its like having work that your bread and butter then works that are your cream

[@BJones-yw4dd]

EXCELLENT advice, as always! Hmmm --- I've always heard the square-inch method, in which you *multiply* the linear dimensions (say, 16x20" = 320 x $2/sq in = $640). But I see what you mean. Thanks for the additional tip! Both formulas would be useful for a customer to know, plus, depending on the dimensions & the formula you choose, you can end up charging more for a particular painting... Sweet. OH! And! I so agree with your other comment -- I become SO attached to some paintings because of the work (or learning process) they involved. They often gain such emotional value, they're "my babies" and I can't sell them. And when that's happened with a commission...! Whoa! I still mourn those paintings (at least a little bit). That's the biggest reason I paint strictly as a hobby and don't sell my paintings. So far....? LOL

[@healingarts5119]

Can you make prints of them? Keep the babies. but if you need the money make clones.

[@icksv5529]

Pricing your paintings it's difficult for every artist and it also depends from where you live. I consider just three possible ways, per hour as any other freelancer, per inch and per artist factor/artist coefficient. I live in Berlin and every freelancer, no matter what is your profession, needs to charge at least €58/h ($64) if he/she wants to live with the equivalent of the minimum salary of a regular employee in a company. It's a matter of math. I think that charge per hour can works when you are going to do a commissioned painting but I don't think can works if you are doing a painting on your own, simply because nobody asked you to do it, and the size and the complexity of it, depends by you. In this case I prefer to price per inch, ie: 16" * 24"= $384 * inch cost where inch cost must take in consideration your value as artist which is the hard part, it's difficult justify $3 per inch if an artist with a degree, perhaps already some sale, or some exhibition already charge $3. The artist factor or artist coefficient it's usually given by galleries but it is also applied by some music agency. It may change depending by the country but the one I know starts from 0 up to 5-6. Such factor is discussed between the artist and the gallery and so is subjective, also, young works of the same artist can get a lower factor compared to mature works. Usually emerging artists start between 0 and 0.5 while international and prominent artists get even 25. Just to give an idea, an artist after 25 group exhibitions national and international, 9 solo exhibitions and a fine art academy degree, got a factor between 2.2 and 2.5 XD The work is then calculated in this way: (30cm + 40cm) * factor * 10 = Quotation

[@travishinshaw7404]

But be careful you dont change yr pricing for diff locations, people will either feel punished, or insulted, and not buy.

[@amycampbellofficial]

Is there somewhere to find the coefficient scale? I'm not sure where I fit. Thanks for this information, first I've heard of it.

[@harmonyhill4657]

Your videos are all very helpful and a real gift to the artist communities. I price my paintings by the hour. How should I price prints?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Because I sell the majority of my prints on Etsy, I researched other shops when I was starting out and based my prices on the prices of what other artists were charging so that I could stay competitive.

[@hectorgarza5205]

Thanks for the video, I’m a tattoo artist here in Houston and trying to get into selling my art/paintings. Keep them coming!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Cool! I've always so appreciated tattoo art. Good luck to you!

[@hectorgarza5205]

Thanks just woke up like an hour ago. Worked late late last night.🤪

[@claudiachappel3350]

Hi Ellen, I am SO happy I have discovered your channel! You are a wonderful artist as well as an amazing source of information. I painted tile murals for peoples kitchen backsplashes for years and charged per tile which was based on the sq in method. That way I could tell them up front the cost.I always collected 1/2 up front also. I have started painting on canvas and paper in the last 2 years and have NO idea how to charge or where or how to sell. I am watching your videos with a note pad!! :) Thank you!!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Claudia, so kind of you thank you! Lots of lessons learned over the years so I hope you find some valuable information here! :)

[@rudolfo9361]

I don't think the time spent on an art work is an appropriate measure to calculate your prices if you do not see yourself as kind of an assembly-line worker. There is a difference between art production and art creation. A creative process sometimes passes like an explosion and sometime takes a lot of time. Some people work fast by their nature others prefer it slow. This has little to do with your skills. and you cannot make your customer pay the price for your personal preferences. Some famous artists have sometimes worked a year or longer to finish a painting, e.g. Leonardo his Mona Lisa, or Willem de Kooning, etc. Prices have to do with demand, of course. So if you're an unknown, little known, known, well-known or famous artist makes a huge difference. At the beginning we're all unknown and have to pay the price to getting known a little bit, even if we create amazing works of art. The supply is gigantic now, so many people have taken up painting. And things like corona make it more difficult to prosper on not so necessary things like art when lots of people do not know what they are going to eat the next day. Therefore we have to try to find an objective subjective way to get to a consistent and acceptable price. One such proposal has been made by a fellow countryman of mine (Swiss), René Etter: add width and height in centimetres and multiply with a factor, going from 6 to 9 for unknown or little known artists and from 10 to 15 for better known or well known artists, in order to get to your price (here in Swiss francs). Maybe you even have to lower that factor at this present difficult time. Obviously, this is just a guideline. You have to find out now what is acceptable for potential buyers, by trial and error. Better start low and gradually lift your prices when the time has come. There is, of course, no calculation needed if you are already a famous artist like Francis Bacon (1909-92) or Banksy (*1974). Just for you to remember: Vincent van Gogh is said to have sold one single painting in his life time. The time was not ripe for his style yet. Or was he a bad painter? You bet. He was so fortunate to being supported by his loving brother but lived many years in a mental home and at the end took his own life. His interest in life was clearly not money making but living his art. He was a true artist. And you, where do you stand with your art?

[@sarahhedley1199]

Really helpful. Thanks so much for doing this. off to find your work.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@claudiatyszko7000]

Thank you so much for your advice. It was so helpful. Im just starting out and feel insecure but i will take your advice and have a go at it. Excellent approach. Claudia

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

so glad to read this Claudia, best of luck to you!

[@alisturkericmacnanty159]

Another great talk worth passing on.

[@AquaGreenORAganicsWestLinn]

your time get and materiales should also be include... how long did IT take for you to get the materiales plus transporte costs. You Ran down to to your ur local art supply Store . have that time plus milage. The design costs for example for a commission piece. Your had to think, propose etc.. or how much time did you invest to come up with the idea, time invested thinking about the project while you weren't engaged doing but were engaged thinking about it should also be considered, framing costs shipping cost insuring the piece durning shipping, you time to prep it for shipping. All should ideally be included in the price. Plus marketing costs. Web site ebay set etc, then you also have to pay local and state gov... ie the irs.. that 20 dollars an hour may end up costing you 25 an hour if you dont

[@dubs7152]

Thank you, your videos are very helpful and informative.

[@jerryoverton7037]

I'm an engineer, so I'm commenting from the perspective of an outsider-- a buyer. Your work has emotional impact...and that has huge value. I recommend you consider how your piece is positioned, the context in which you'll sell, the story you'll tell, and to whom you decide to sell. I'm just trying to urge you to consider your work as more than just labor, more than just the size of the canvas or the cost/hour of your time.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Jerry, thank you for your thoughtful insight and for giving we artists something to strongly consider; much appreciated.

[@artsandcrafts2503]

I find that many artists that sell 2 D work at the art shows keep their work in the range of $200 to $400 because they know that is what a customer may pay as that is in their budget for larger ticket items such as T Vs or a washing machine ...etc.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for adding your thoughts to this discussion - greatly appreciate it! :)

[@srednaart]

You always have such great topics and advice! I enjoy listening to your videos. I price my original artwork similar to what you were saying, charge for materials + hourly wage. For prints and digital artwork that's trickier. I ended up looking at what other people were setting for their prices and tried to price mine around there.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you so much for your kind words! After all these years I still look to see what other artists are charging. I'm glad you're enjoying my content! ❤️

[@ht23325]

thank you for this video! it helped me quite a bit

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I'm so glad!

[@ziraxis]

useful video. liked it ! Is it possible to see that legendary painting behind you? I see only a part of it and I love it already.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you! I will make a point to show that painting sometime! :)

[@judydickson2704]

Thank you! This has been the hardest part of painting, the pricing!!!

[@vegasastras9194]

What about setting an auction option with a reserved price?

[@comanche3631]

Very helpful!! Thank you for your knowledge and experience!

[@bertmunoz7100]

Take a 30 x 40 canvas = 1200 sq in. X $2.00 sq. in. = $2,400 there, it took me two minutes. Per hour does not work because for some painters it might take them weeks to finish one painting. ($2 is an arbitrary number) this does not apply to muralist, installation or any other type of artist.

[@rexozone]

Thank you. Very good!

[@jessicacano859]

Glad I found you. I love your advice

[@BirdingNerd]

Thank you so much for your videos. Really cleared up a lot of questions.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I'm so glad you found it helpful! :)

[@7pal101]

very good info!!! If I make an acrylic copy of a Masters painting, what should I be aware of, like copyright or other stuff?

[@johnhawkins4908]

When pricing your artwork, does medium play a role? For instance, are oils or acrylics generally priced higher than watercolors or pastels or drawings? Thanks.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

It does play a role, John. Factoring in the cost of supplies will affect the overall price. Thank you for your question!

[@politerabbit3100]

John, I watched a video, can't remember who, that said highest are oils, then acrylics, then watercolors, then pastel. Not always, just generally. And time spent creating for me goes in that order most of the time.

[@Centinelah]

Thank you for the video it was of great help.

[@jordanwhisson5407]

The art gallery will also assist you with your pricing if, in doubt, the real measure is what the market will pay for your work. Your work needs to be professional in order to ask for a professional price. Paying yourself by the hour is a little flawed some artists can paint the same painting in a 1/4 of the time it takes another artist. If you overprice and your work it simply will not sell and you learn the hard way. So go to a gallery you would like to be hung in and during the conversation, the gallery staff will ask what price your work is and you can then ask what their opinion what price range it should attract.

[@pamelacass8703]

Hi Ellen. Thank you for these videos. I have been doing acrylics for a few yrs now. I want so much to learn all I can to market, and all that goes along with that to sell my work. How do you stand on registering your work to protect against someone stealing your work? Thank you for your help!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Hi, Pamela 😊 I've never registered my work so I don't know enough about it to give solid advice. I've always relied on copyright.

[@pamelacass8703]

Ok. Thank you!@@EllenBrennemanStudio

[@ErikaLancasterArt]

You're the best! Thanks so much for all of these helpful videos! You're very sincere and thorough. :)

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Erika, that is so nice, thank you! So glad you're finding them helpful! ☺️❤️

[@gillinacook1477]

Thank you sharing this really helpful 😀

[@peacock69mcp]

Wow! Thank you so much for sharing. 👍

[@Makonen442]

For I've seen artist undervalue their craft. Charging $200. But when the dealer saw the work.. the price jumped to $8k. Major major major difference.

[@StacyPowerhouse]

Great video. Thank you so much for sharing this information. Very helpful.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for your comment, Stacy! :)

[@Makonen442]

I did a painting 8ft * 4ft . I priced the work for $85k for a major show. The curator told me directly to charge $115k. Because of the client who will be attending the show. And that is that. It all depends on the client. If rich people don't own your art. You are not going any where at all. Art is a luxury item.. and should be treated as such. Your pricing has to do with who buying the work.. and the dealer selling your work. That is the difference in getting $1 vs $1mil. It boils back down to who selling your art.

[@julienielsen3746]

I've been changing my painting style, doing looser work ( not messy). My painting has improved working looser while blocking in colors, instead of the more flat way I was working before. Also my work was too tight. Now after blocking it in loosely and then building from that to the details, which are looser than I did before also. I work faster this way. I've been painting with acrylics for 50 years now. I finally got it right the way I wanted. Now that I'm doing these wonderful paintings, I've got attached to a few of them. So, since I'm doing smaller paintings 6X6 - 9X12 I ended up painting copies of the ones I like and want to keep. Any comments about painting copies of your own work to sell? Is that wrong to do if you're buyer is buying an original worK?

[@elle-iza]

I guess I didn't have enough coffee, yet, but wouldn't you take length inches *times* width inches in order to calculate the square inches? So a 5 x 5 painting would be 25 square inches? Or did I miss something?