Survival

I considered myself a partime painter since most of my time devoted to my job as a computer graphic artist. I wonder how fulltime painter survive in the market considering that there are lots of great painters around. What are the survival chances of portrait painters of today's art market? I'll be thankful for any insights regarding this matter. Thanks

[John de la Vega]

Yes, there's a very good chance of not just surviving, but of thriving as a portrait painter, no matter how good and vast the competition.

A few caveats:

1) First the obvious: work must be good, or at least appealing to a fairly broad spectrum of potential portrait customers.

2) Marketing must fully convey the work's worth. This is a somewhat thorny subject, as the manner in which we present ourselves and our work can involve some, for lack of a better expression, psychological subtlety.

The presentation of work and working procedures are key, whether at a website such as this or any other means of letting the public know, through advertising (which requires capital to be effective), or other means. Pricing and description of working procedures is, in my view, critical to convey to the client what the artist really thinks of his or her work. Many 'working procedures' are entirely too specific, with information that is either redundant, confusing to the client, or coy. A portrait painter need not surround himself or herself in a veil of mystery, but must understand that there's always the right time to disclose details of how we produce our work, or even how we go about conducting our first sitting or photo session.

'Survival' is not really hard, if one can get a good resemblance in an artistically pleasing painting. For many, of course, this would be a tall order. To turn mere 'survival'into 'success' requires tremendous commitment, concentration, an uncompromising attitude, and very hard work. To reach that level there are no shortcuts.

[Tarique Beg]

Hi John

After reading your history and seeing your wonderful work here, I know you obviously speak from the depth of experience when you say that success in portraiture requires very hard work and an uncompromising attitude. Is it possible to give some rough idea of the earnings potential of portraiture compared to other professions, for surviving, thriving, and achieving ultimate success. The reason I ask is because it is easier to dedicate oneself entirely to a profession when some idea of earnings possibilities for it are known.

For example, assuming one reaches a fair level of competence in producing and effectively marketting the kind of work that sells well, to the right clientele, how comparable is the earning potential of portraiture compared to say doctors, lawyers, accountants, or small businessman ?

I hope my question is not too naive.

Tarique

[John de la Vega]

Yes, Tarique, the income potential of a good portrait painter is as great as any of the professions you mention. When a portrait painter produces works of quality at any level of 'stylistic appeal', he or she can may a very handsome living. There are portrait painters I know that make well over a million dollars a year (I am certainly not one of them, I hasten to add), and there are some of us who barely get by. The factors you mention, plus others such as ability to reach the right clientele through social or business contacts, working with a portrait broker or brokers who really believe in your work, etc, will make the difference between success, failure, or simply getting by.

Ultimately, of course, the quality (without overlooking the 'quantity') and consistency of the work you can produce with be the ultimate factors determining not just financial success, but prominence, recognition, and influence in our exciting field of portrait painting.

[Tarique Beg]

Thanks John. This is great information! just the knowledge that I can make a good enough living to pay my bills, save a little, and pursue this profession full time is incentive enough for me.

The knowledge that portraitists can do far better than just good, gives a relative newbie, like me, something to aim for. Whether I ever reach there is another matter, but no harm thinking big.

I get your message your message:
Ultimately, it is quality that counts and it takes uncompromising dedication to quality to succeed. The right quantity, right marketting to target the right clientele must also be part of the strategy.

Thanks again

Tarique