Pricing portraits

Susan Ballinger · 03-12-2002, 12:59 AM

I don't post here very often, but I do visit often and I would like to say I admire the beautiful work and the talent that is shown here. I have learned a lot by reading the critiques and other posts.

I am just starting to charge for my artwork (previously done just for friends and family). I have looked at many artists' sites to try and grasp an adequate price as far as talent and location is concerned. Also, I asked friends and family what they thought would be a fair price list.

I recently painted a portrait of a dog for a friend's wedding anniversary gift (they never had kids and this Yorkie is their 'little girl'). The painting received a lot of attention from the party guests and I may have several people interested in commissioning a portrait.

So my concern is that maybe my price list is too high and that it would scare off potential customers. My mom seems to think it is too high and that I should start lower, while my husband says that he thinks it seems fair. So I need your opinions please! My website is http://susanscustom.topcities.com (It is a free site that my husband put together for me). Unfortunately I do not have any paintings on there yet but I have some pencil drawings. The possible clients that I am immediately concerned about are the ones from the party and so obviously they have seen an example of my work to judge from. I realize that perhaps you cannot say if my prices are fair without seeing a painting example, but please give me your best judgment based upon the artwork shown. I am located in Eastern Iowa. If you wish to email me, my address has recently changed to [email protected]

Susan

Stanka Kordic · 03-12-2002, 08:49 AM

Susan,

Your prices seem reasonable to me. I think you are starting out at a good point.. you can always go up, but its not advisable to go lower. Much success to you!

Susan Ballinger · 03-13-2002, 12:28 PM

Thanks for the reply. I realize that these prices are far below what everyone here charges, but since I'm new to the business I didn't want to start so high that I might be laughed at. Since I previously was not charging anything for my artwork (simply doing it for the fun and challenge of it), I'm having a difficult time realizing that people will actually pay as much as they do. For those who have never looked into the cost of having a portrait made, it can come as a shock! My family seems to think that around $200 is a good price for me to charge for an average painting, but they have never looked into the cost of what the professionals charge. My only concern is that here in the midwest, it doesn't seem to be as common of a practice to have a portrait commissioned as it is in the south. I'm concerned about finding enough business in the area to get a serious career going- I haven't really established any 'connections' yet.

So, while I'm worried that I'm charging too much to get some business, I'm also worried that I'm charging too little and will not be taken seriously! ACK!

Susan

Mary Reilly · 03-17-2002, 02:40 AM

Susan,

I agree with Stanka. Your prices are reasonable and it is better to raise prices then to lower them. You can review and adjust your prices a couple times a year. As they slowly climb up, you may lose some clients, but then you will gain new ones.

My one suggestion, though, is to consider adjusting your size options. So many choices are probably not necessary and possibly confusing to the client. You may want to offer fewer sizes. For instance, for head and shoulder portraits you could offer 3 or 4 sizes instead of 7. List you favorite sizes and then put on your price list that additional sizes are available upon request.

Mary Reilly

Susan Ballinger · 03-18-2002, 01:58 AM

Thanks for your thoughts on this Mary! I value all of the advice I can get. I'll review my sizes available and see if my husband will make the changes necessary.

Susan