Enzie, my prices are low to mid-range for oils. In view of the time it takes me to take reference photos and then complete the painting I couldn't charge less, and I feel that it would also devalue my work to do so even if I felt that it were feasible. Artists sometimes offer pencil or charcoal as the lowest tier in price, and pastels as the middle tier, with oils at the top. This provides people with the opportunity to commission a portrait without its being prohibitively expensive. On the other hand, having worked in a school system where the socioeconomic level was quite low with many students receiving free or reduced lunch services, it never failed to amaze me that parents would buy multiple ATV's for these same kids. We've all seen the same phenomenon, whereby people will indulge their children or themselves by purchasing jet skis and other pricey toys. Look at all the horses you see in rural settings, as well. So the issue often isn't that the money isn't there but that the desire for that particular amenity is lacking.
When I first began painting commissioned portraits, on the other hand, one of my early clients was disappointed that I was charging so little. He was purchasing the portrait as a Christmas present for his wife, and apparently wanted to spend more than I was asking for so important a gift!
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Hybrid Mode
