Portrait Artist Forum - View Single Post

Linda Nelson · 06-16-2004, 01:05 PM

HI all,

I am updating my website right now and am unsure of the best way to give info on prices. There are artists who show prices, some who don't show any. There are some who simply state "prices start at ____" and some who list specifics, usually categorized by head and shoulders, half, 3/4 and full length, and then some who add sizes on top of that.

I have several concerns. If I don't list prices (which, personally, drives me crazy when I go to someones site and find), I fear lost commissions, because people wont' take the time to call, or will be put off by the fact. If I list prices by specifics (head and shoulders, half body, etc) then I worry the prices will dictate the composition, and as a "young" artist, I don't want that - I'd rather the composition be dictated by what is the best solution to make a great outcome.
Lastly, I am hopefully going to be getting commissions from a gallery who specializes in providing art to homes and businesses, but who has not explored portraiture too much yet. So this to me means I have to account for their "cut"... but what happens if they don't sell much, or anything? They by the way are flexible on their commissions so that we have time to see what the market will bear.

At this point I've decided to simply say "prices start at $2500, please call to discuss." The market here in Minnesota is not spilling with $ for portraits, so I fear pricing myself out of potential work, and I don't think my talent or name is strong enough yet to be too cocky about the numbers.
I'd love opinions here of what you think. If you want to email and suggest actual dollar values of what you think I should be charging, I certainly wouldn't mind that also. Just so you know, the money DOES really matter to my household finances.

My husband thinks I should be higher on my prices (almost double them), list the prices in a price list (by head and shoulders, etc). and suffer through the dry period that it may cause.

Thanks for any input you may have.

06-16-2004, 01:05 PM	#1
Linda Nelson Juried Member Joined: Sep 2001 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 386	Posting a price list on website HI all, I am updating my website right now and am unsure of the best way to give info on prices. There are artists who show prices, some who don't show any. There are some who simply state "prices start at ____" and some who list specifics, usually categorized by head and shoulders, half, 3/4 and full length, and then some who add sizes on top of that. I have several concerns. If I don't list prices (which, personally, drives me crazy when I go to someones site and find), I fear lost commissions, because people wont' take the time to call, or will be put off by the fact. If I list prices by specifics (head and shoulders, half body, etc) then I worry the prices will dictate the composition, and as a "young" artist, I don't want that - I'd rather the composition be dictated by what is the best solution to make a great outcome. Lastly, I am hopefully going to be getting commissions from a gallery who specializes in providing art to homes and businesses, but who has not explored portraiture too much yet. So this to me means I have to account for their "cut"... but what happens if they don't sell much, or anything? They by the way are flexible on their commissions so that we have time to see what the market will bear. At this point I've decided to simply say "prices start at $2500, please call to discuss." The market here in Minnesota is not spilling with $ for portraits, so I fear pricing myself out of potential work, and I don't think my talent or name is strong enough yet to be too cocky about the numbers. I'd love opinions here of what you think. If you want to email and suggest actual dollar values of what you think I should be charging, I certainly wouldn't mind that also. Just so you know, the money DOES really matter to my household finances. My husband thinks I should be higher on my prices (almost double them), list the prices in a price list (by head and shoulders, etc). and suffer through the dry period that it may cause. Thanks for any input you may have.