Pricing a different kind of piece

[Julie Deane]

I got a call from the winner of a gift certificate for a charcoal head and shoulders portrait, won at the local art museum's charity auction. She wants to upgrade, and is interested in depicting her four grandchildren on her lake property, overlooking the lake, with their backs to the viewer.

We'll be talking more when she gets back from a trip, but in the meantime, I'm trying to figure out how I would price this. She may be okay with at least some of the children looking towards the camera.

Should I charge by about how long I think it will take to paint, or per child? It would be as much a landscape as a figurative piece.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Definitely a figurative piece, but they are portraits anyway. Charge your current prices for portraits, just remember Ingres, those backs are great and your work is great too.

[Julie Deane]

Thanks, Bonfim.

Asking for what the art is worth is difficult for me, but I'll take a deep breath, and do it. I may give several price options, varying with the size of work and medium used.