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Debra Jones · 11-10-2013, 08:50 PM

Thanks for this John.
I have missed SOG actually. Nice to come back.

5x7" is actually a loss leader.

You are absolutely right. It is about the same energy for a 6x8". Not noticeably less than an 8x10. The demos, which I have in four standard 5x7" presentation albums, go with me whenever I paint in public. I put them in and out of frames, try to have a well rounded stable of breeds etc. When I was painting on site, I found I could nearly finish a pretty loose one before the sun set (right after work in the Winter is the best time to be seen at a dog park painting) and I was building my dog-a-day blog.

I donate and feature that size only for Christmas and giving holidays. It is not generally offered except as a gift or gift certificate. I donate a lot to pet charities and demonstrate LARGER. In the early days winners always upgraded with the value of the donation going toward the piece. I have lain off donating but for one or two rescue groups, but a glitch in the economy started having people redeem the certificate for the smaller size.

I have found my pricing by the inch model is the easiest for me. Hard or easy, I adjust better to the value up front. I may like the piece and work harder, but the finished output is always going to be what it is.

I tend to offer starting prices at 8x10" and only even offer smaller ones to repeat clients or discounts for rescues.

It is a good, stable income. I have disrespected it recently trying harder to do larger scale and "important" work... with much less success. Kind of dumb to give up on a market that is paying the bills. Although I have successfully raised my prices a good 15% and find I am getting MORE business. Is the economy picking up??

11-10-2013, 08:50 PM	#8
Debra Jones Juried Member Featured in Pastel Journal Joined: Jan 2002 Location: Arizona Posts: 457	Thanks for this John. I have missed SOG actually. Nice to come back. 5x7" is actually a loss leader. You are absolutely right. It is about the same energy for a 6x8". Not noticeably less than an 8x10. The demos, which I have in four standard 5x7" presentation albums, go with me whenever I paint in public. I put them in and out of frames, try to have a well rounded stable of breeds etc. When I was painting on site, I found I could nearly finish a pretty loose one before the sun set (right after work in the Winter is the best time to be seen at a dog park painting) and I was building my dog-a-day blog. I donate and feature that size only for Christmas and giving holidays. It is not generally offered except as a gift or gift certificate. I donate a lot to pet charities and demonstrate LARGER. In the early days winners always upgraded with the value of the donation going toward the piece. I have lain off donating but for one or two rescue groups, but a glitch in the economy started having people redeem the certificate for the smaller size. I have found my pricing by the inch model is the easiest for me. Hard or easy, I adjust better to the value up front. I may like the piece and work harder, but the finished output is always going to be what it is. I tend to offer starting prices at 8x10" and only even offer smaller ones to repeat clients or discounts for rescues. It is a good, stable income. I have disrespected it recently trying harder to do larger scale and "important" work... with much less success. Kind of dumb to give up on a market that is paying the bills. Although I have successfully raised my prices a good 15% and find I am getting MORE business. Is the economy picking up?? __________________ http://dog-a-dayartblog.blogspot.com/ Because some people have four legs.