An honest assessment

Lacey Lewis · 07-02-2005, 11:03 PM

Hello all,

Well, I know this is a lot to ask, but I have read things on this forum that make me feel like this could be appropriate and someone might take the time to answer! I feel that I need an assessment by those who know what they are talking about concerning where I am and if my prices are appropriate.

About a year ago I found the SOG site and artists (but not the forum), focused my work and made goals. I have reached the goals that I set out to accomplish by now (to be able to paint a better quality in less time and have a set of paintings that I feel good showing to others) but don't really know where I stand now. I know, of course, that I have a ton to learn and do not compare to the experienced pros on this site, but don't feel I am able to compare my work to others in order to gauge where I am in the market.

I'll start out simple with my graphites. Below is a graphite I was commissioned to do almost a year ago. It was one of three. On my current price list, I charge $75 each.

Next I will post a pastel. I enjoy pastels, but don't bring them up anywhere close to the kind of finishes I've seen. I offer it as something affordable (too affordable?) that is still in color. My current price list has a head and shoulders at $150.

Finally, my oils. I love doing oils and would love to get commissions for these. Oils have been my main focus, but I haven't created a price list at all for them. I've gotten wind of some people being interested in having them done, but nothing yet. I also don't know what kind of prices I should put on works I have done that I would like to sell, especially if I plan on ever going to a gallery.

I just bought a seperate domain than my current one and plan to use it for only my best fine art and would like to include an online price list that I can feel confident about. I have no other artist friends (except one abstract-type guy) and would definately appreciate any advice or input.

To see more for a better idea: www.lsquaredartwork.com/paintings.htm

Michele Rushworth · 07-02-2005, 11:27 PM

Here's my two cents worth:

Step 1. Create half a dozen portrait samples in oils and other media, just under life size, of the high quality seen in some of your best work: your painting of the girl pinning up her hair, the portrait of the red haired man with the glasses and the head and shoulders portrait of the girl with dark hair and the red dress. (You might want to try a variety of subject matter for your new samples: one painting of an older man in a suit, a woman, a girl, and one painting of a little girl and boy together, for example.)

2. Delete many of the lower quality portraits now on your site.

3. Once you have six or so great new samples, start charging $1,000. for a head and shoulders in oil. (I can't comment on pastel or charcoal prices since I don't do that kind of work.)

4. Promote your work among people who can afford it. Donate to some high end charity auctions to get your name and work out there.

Good luck!

Lacey Lewis · 07-02-2005, 11:49 PM

Wow, Michele! I cannot explain how... flabbergasted I am! I'm blushing like mad and almost in tears! (Deep breath, exhale.)

I cannot explain my reaction when I saw $1,000 for a head and shoulders (after I get my portfolio up to snuff, that is). I feel like I am on that Antiques Road Show.

OK, I will definitely get on that right away. I already know a few I should delete, but would you mind telling me if there are any in addition to the ones mentioned above that I should keep? Also, should I let any of the ones to be deleted ever see the light of day again?

Michele Rushworth · 07-03-2005, 12:19 AM

Bear in mind this very important thought: You will be judged by the worst piece in your portfolio. Never let anything that you feel is not up to your high standards be seen by anyone. You are working on establishing a reputation as a consistent high performer.

Okay, here are the ones I would keep: The three I mentioned above, the painting of the woman in the green wrap seen from the back (but not the version showing her face in profile), also keep the boy with the blue light on the side of his face, the very young blonde girl (but fix the shape of the eye on our right). Of the black and white ones I would also keep the one shown above, the one of the boy and girl together and the seated nude shown from the back.

On your website I'd delete the sculpture section, the photography section, the new media section, the murals and the links section. None of them enhance your reputation. I'd also get rid of the blurred mouse-over effect.

I look forward to watching your progress.

Lacey Lewis · 07-03-2005, 12:40 AM

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to this and for giving so much great advice. I hope you know how much it is really appreciated.

For my web site, I plan to use my new domain just for the fine art, and only the best of it. I do plan on having a links section on that site, too, but I want it to be art related and have links to things like an essay by Virgil Elliott titled Restoring Prestige to our Profession.

I do plan to keep the one I have now, but only for web design and logo examples... what can I say, it brings in money! I will not have a link from my fine art site to this site. Eventually, I'll get rid of the other stuff completely.

I'm so excited! I feel lucky because so few get the chance to pursue what they really want, and also feel good about all the hard work I've been doing.

Elizabeth Schott · 07-03-2005, 02:40 AM

Lacie if you have the heart the other things will fall into place. You have a good start and the points made by Michele are very valid but don't let them overwhelm you. If you are anything like most of us just getting out you will be producing tons of work (In a few years you'll want to go collect it because of the progress you have made).

As related to this site... your benefits here if it is your intention to strive to be an SOG ARTIST, status are so worth the time. There are many talented artist here that are so generous in what they give you and you will find yourself treating them as personal relationships as you grow. The key words are as you grow, because you will, it's the practice practice practice and tips on tools and materials and lighting. They all somehow come together.

March foreword... I know there are a group of Ompalompas that work for Cynthia and when your are ready she will grab you . It's a great feeling to be grabbed by the way, lucrative too!

Now no laughing, I am posting one of my first commissions. I think I was paid 400.00 and the mother gave me everything down to a catalog for the clothes, live and learn. Well I told her I wanted to redo them no charge, because of high traffic, so hopefully you will see a difference. I also charge 3200.00 for this type of 3/4 view. These are pastels, the earlier is on Canson, the latest is on Wallis.

Michele Rushworth · 08-05-2005, 11:14 AM

Brenda, could you post two or three of your recent portraits so that we might be able to give you some pricing suggestions?

It's true what Molly said about marketing in a whole new way to a different market segment as your prices go higher. However, if I'd started marketing to a high end clientelle without the experience I have now, I don't think I'd have connected with them. I've found that each rung on the ladder (of price, of quality of work, of exposure, of experience in dealing with clients) has prepared me for the next rung.

Brenda Ellis · 08-07-2005, 07:24 PM

Hi Michele,

Here are a few samples. I've only done one oil portrait so far (the last image), so the others are pencil or pastel (the man is pastel.)

I'm not referring people to my website right now as I think it's too amateurish looking and I don't have enough good work. I'm not actively advertising right now, either. The commissions I'm getting currently are from word of mouth or friends. I know I need a larger porftolio of more oil portraits before I would feel really ready to actively seek out commissions. Any direction you could give me would be appreciated.

From reading your other posts, you sound knowledgable and I would value your opinion.

Thanks.

Brenda Ellis · 08-07-2005, 07:29 PM

By the way, the man at the piano is not finished. I've left it like this for a while because I can't decide whether to make the rest of it realistic or somehow less well-defined. I want the head and hands (holding the sheet music) to stand out.

Michele Rushworth · 08-07-2005, 09:36 PM

Brenda, if the rest of your oil portraits are as good as that one you can charge a lot more than $500. Maybe start at $1,000 and see how it goes.

Quote:

The other consideration is repeat customers. If I do a commission for someone at $500 and 6 months later they want another portrait of their other child, they might not appreciate paying $800 for "the same thing". If I start at $500, I have to be willing to increase my prices gradually. I would be wary of giving repeat customers "deals" as they might come to expect it every time and want another $500 portrait when my work now costs $1500.

My repeat customers pay whatever my going rate is at the time, regardless of what they've paid in the past. For example, I'm doing a second portrait for a family whose older child I painted two years ago. At that time they paid $4,900 for a three quarter length portrait with a very complex background. Yesterday they signed a contract for $7,800 for the same type of portrait. My prices are now more in line with what people charge nationally for this sort of work, and I've had some higher profile commissions in the intervening two years, which is why my prices are higher. I'm told by folks who really know the portrait business that my prices are still on the low side, however.