Then since lock down, ive had the chance to have a play with acrylics and have painted 3 paintings arnt too bad :))love acrylics! I sell less in this way than on eBay, but the difference in achievable price makes the number of sales immaterial. It does have a serious side and I have written about this in another lens. Museums and private collectors will be quite a small market for higher-priced artwork. We are never going to please everyone. I am so luckyBut what to paint!? Interesting. John Dyhouse (author) from UK on February 14, 2014: John Dyhouse (author) from UK on February 05, 2014: I loved all of your art, but my favorite from this lens was the broken fence piece that was shown as a mouse pad. This is a beautiful well written article, I would like to thank you for taking the time to write this article. If you want to learn how to make your Etsy photos or product photos better send me an email jake@productviz.com, Understanding Simulated Diamonds [August 2020], Elevator Pitch Examples For Students [April 2020], How To Become A Virtual Assistant [March 2020], What Do You Do In Your Spare Time [February 2020], How To Copyright A Drawing & Other Artwork [February 2020]. Or is this a silly question in this day and age? If your first priority is to sell the art you make, it's a smart idea to look at buying trends before you pick up your brush. Thanks for this, it's been really interesting. In general, it's easier to sell a smaller work for the reasons explained above. When one of us rises up, we all rise up together. However, not all paintings are created equal. I have a site of my work on Facebook its called a one-time painting. Fortunately I mostly paint landscape too, au plain air and from photos of favorite spots. Modern or semi-abstract landscapes seem to sell particularly well. But maybe I can use some of this info here when she's ready to hear it! However, the gains of selling more smaller paintings might be equal to the gains of selling fewer larger paintings. But she's only 16, so maybe when SHE is paying the bills she will see it differently! Jenny b. I would love to be able to sell my artwork, I have given numerous paintings away and have auctioned off for charity. You've covered some very good information here. As an artist, I like to know what sells. I hope to be able to make a living doing something I love so this article has helped. Minimal Black White Painting BW Abstract Poetry in Black and White 3, 60X40". Thanks for your interesting lens and thoughts on art, and sharing some of your work. Very informative article. 
Already have a painting and trying to figure out how to sell it? Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions. On the subject of painting animals, I think cats are painted more than dogs because cats (being mysterious loners that they are) can lend solitariness (is there such a word?) is certainly a smaller, perhaps more specialized genre. I've been going to portait painting classes recently and have surprised myself by doing a few portraits where people actually recognize the subject of the painting. The study attempts to describe why those two colors are the most popular, while acknowledging that the psychological effect of color is complex. According to a number of experts, red is associated with being adventurous, aggressive, social, powerful, protective, brave, arousing, passionate, sexy, and exiting (sic). Blue is associated with dignity, conservatism, poise, and reserve but also with being relaxed, comfortable, soothing, and intellectual.. Right now i use pencils charcoal penvils , colored pemcils, matkers, watercolor bricks. I recently sold two pastel paintings: the landscape is on a very rough paper (hence the texture) and the abstract is on card. I blamed it on the stock market going down 2 days before, last thing to buy is art, when people start getting scared. There isnt one particular subject that does best in the art market. As with any endeavour, success can depend on many factors. I did join a group some years back to develop my portraiture and figure painting but it never really grabbed me, so I have stuck with landscapes. A large and brightly coloured acrylic on canvas with areas of heavy impasto, depicting a boy who has just caught a fish and further fisherman beyond. Many commercially successful artists straddle the line by painting in a variety of sizes to appeal to a wider audience. Well presented in an ornate gilt
Artist Comments
Artist Kip Decker uses loose brushwork to portray a local mom-and-pop plant nursery. QuiltFinger from Tennessee on April 04, 2014: I always assumed that people purchased art because of some weird intangibles that appealed to them, but maybe it's more psychological than that. Volume is one aspect of any business which must be addressed. These ideas are interesting, but do they really matter? So, many artists paint seascapes because its easiest to find buyers for those works. Very good article. You have a lot of talent and the ideas you promote are good ones for artists who want to know how to sell their works. I think landscapes are a common theme and I wouldn't mind doing one myself. And should these questions be important to an artist? After all, the starving artist archetype exists for a reason. Very interesting and inspiring article, congratulations with a lot of thanks. Its not easy to make a living selling paintings. I try to sell but do not get any bites. Not a market I have any experience of myself though, but googling may help to find potential avenues to sales. 
Whether it's a seascape, cityscape, or moonscape; glacial, jungle, or mountaintop; intimate, aerial, or panoramic, a landscape is a natural, appealing choice for most art buyers. The list has many notable and surprising omissions. But nice to have a few facts to ponder. But I've tried most things you suggest but still haven't sold anything in the past five years. i live with an artist who does collage so it is not like I don't have any inspiration for it. I was told that its colours were exactly what the buyer was looking for. And I do love painting landscapes, as well as flowers and bouquets, however, I feel like in the USA the top of the list for the best selling subjects would still be abstract art, which is no surprise - the States are just so much about the new, modern, abstract, futuristic and so much less about being conservative. That way, your paintings will fit comfortably on the wall of an average collectors home. Aspiring artists: Choose your hues accordingly. I would love to know how to market my work it seems the clientele is very limited in my area. An original oil painting on canvas by Sophie Berger. However, certain art subjects do better in certain locations. Have you tried illustrations for books? Product Viz is a photo and illustration studio. Dont stick to one size, either. If that doesnt work, paint it red.. What do you think? Very well-done, and quite a bit to think about. It has long been said that the use of the colour red helps sell a painting. There are no rules that determine the value of a piece. taking up painting is on my bucket list. I just paint my critters and hope they sell. and mystery to a piece. As to your question, if you make a living by making art, unless you are very lucky you paint to sell I guess. asereht1970 from Philippines on May 29, 2014: Love the artwork. Just because an artist has access to these platforms doesnt mean that theyre guaranteed to sell their work. Last yrs Labor Day Show through my artleague, no sales. Whatever you are painting, do it as well as you can in the genre and style that you choose. However, the secret is in the combinations that create harmonies or even build messages. 
I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Which mediums and genres of art sell best? This data was taken from a survey published in Art Business Today. However this article is helpful with what I need to work on atm. That way, if a collector is interested in one of your paintings but doesnt have a huge wall, then you have something smaller that might interest them. John Dyhouse (author) from UK on April 11, 2013: @anitabreeze: The top ten is really just for fun, a serious artist paints what they want or are drawn to. As I said, you shouldn't only worry about selling: You should also paint what you are happy painting. The scene must appeal to me emotionally first or it will never succeed. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his mind is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. I do love abstracts a lot, I just do not practice it that much, which I feel is about to change - whatever one may say, but unless you do not depend on your art for living, an artist should meet the demand and expectation of the potential clientele, shouldn't they? I could sell but at give-away prices. I can personally attest that this was the reason for many of my sales. However, you may find the potential market is more limited. Is this hindering my sales perhaps? I am not an artist but this article interested me because my daughter is a very talented artist. - 1" deep wooden support bars - Gallery Stretching & Wrap Commercial concerns use art to decorate offices and public areas. Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi, c.1500, oil on walnut (framed), broke records when it sold for $450,312,500 at auction. SO far so good. Thank you. Unfortunately, art collectors dont seem to enjoy earth tones, muted colors, or grey scale works. Make works in a range of different sizes. In general, since they cost more in materials and might take more time, most artists ask more for larger pieces. So a painting of a dog most often evokes feelings of intimacy and friendship, while paintings of wildlife suggest untamed, undomesticated nature. I want to sell more paintings and my genre is favored by buyers. beach fl labels mr2 There have been no reputable studies conducted on this subject, there are some interesting random anecdotes: I would take this discussion with a grain of salt. I tried Facebook but people are not interested. Question: I don't paint, I use graphite only. I am pleased to announce that in a recent exhibition with my art group, I managed to achieve another sale. I am an spiring artist who sells only a few works per year and always by commission. John Dyhouse (author) from UK on June 12, 2013: @blestman lm: Collage can be a fun, creative pastime. Mary Beth Granger from O'Fallon, Missouri, USA on March 17, 2014: Thank you for a very interesting lens. Of course, there is a collector base for artists who make black, white, brown, and gray paintings. Paint it for yourself and put your heart into the work. thanks for sharing! Luckily (I suppose) my favourite subject is landscape painting, which I love. All paintings featured in this article, unless stated otherwise, are by the author. Sharing of your belief, experiences and works are amazing. Your article helped me more than I imagined!. Another ancillary benefit of working on a smaller scale is that the paintings will take up less storage space if they don't sell right away. I'm curious about that "Top 10" list - is this really the top 10? Abstracts however are often bought for their colour to match with a room's dcor. Abstracts and figures are both types of art that sell well. Did he think it would make the painting more commercially successful or was it just a dramatic "finishing touch"? I am wanting to start selling my art more and this is a wonderful resource, thanks! 40H x 60W inch, Innovative and Contemporary Original New Media Abstract Black And White Work on Canvas I am just about to attempt selling my art online and this article has been really useful. There are alot of things I am still a bit not sure about like pricing, or where my artwork will be seen the best. What a well put and informational article, thank you for making the time to share all this with us. 
Instagram, Twitter, etc, I still have to gain a lot of followers for a lot of people to see my work. Paul Klee's abstract figure, Senecio (Head of a Man) (1922). Thank you so much for researching and posting this article. Susie Lehto from Minnesota on February 22, 2015: Dreamer at heart from Northern California on September 26, 2014: Thanks, Your article is full of great suggestions. Blue Pink Abstract Acrylic Painting on Canvas 42H X 68"W The Song of Blue Water 
That's a start! Perhaps I ought to try it? I haven't considered selling any of my art, but I found the lists fascinating. Nicely done article. But mostly I just paint birthday cards for nearest and dearest. In other words, I can generally charge more for my work when it's displayed in an actual, physical space than I can when I simply show it online. The study began in 2013, when a specialist at Sothebys wrote an essay that claimed that red and blue can only help sell a painting. Thank you for interesting view. Etsy, DeviantArt, and Zazzle are just a few of the sites that facilitate sales for artists and help cut out the middle man. 
This might explain, at least in part, why abstract paintings sell so well. John Dyhouse (author) from UK on May 13, 2013: I must say you are a good artist! So the advice is still the same, paint what you want to and enjoy it. I do traditional Persian paintings (Miniatures). My experience at my art group's exhibtions is that most of our "clientele" tend to go for Landscapes, especially if the place depicted holds memories for them. Diana Grant from United Kingdom on August 16, 2017: Very useful advice to retain for the future. Then a friend gave me some paints snd an easel! Treating that as a jumping-off point, the researchers Marshall Ma, Charles N. Noussair, and Luc Renneboog analyzed 5,500 abstract works that had sold at auction, according to the Blouin Art Sales index, and found that blue and red works sold for prices 10.6% higher. But, in the age of the internet, its easier than ever to sell paintings. It almost looks like they divided all possible subjects into 10 categories and ranked them. Plus, the current market of online sales. I am trying Zazzle at the moment, a print-on-demand site which means I can make money by selling products with my images on them. Well done. A bright yellow truck is parked right beside the small building partnered
Artist Comments
A bouquet of delightful pink flowers burst from a green vase. A study by CentER, a research institute at Tilburg University in the Netherlands, claims to have unlocked a secret that has been driving art dealers mad for centuries: What colors make paintings desirable? Incredible! SPECIFICATIONS: - Artist-grade canvas. I am fortunate to have an artist in my family. Not a lover of watercolours. Wildlife and other animals, on the other hand, are usually shown in larger, wilder settings, from afar and in profile. This is a really interesting piece. I would like to make a living at it but when I get too much into that, it creates anxiety and too much time and work - especially running my business. In other words, an artist only has to sell one large painting for $1,000 to make the same amount as if they sold ten smaller paintings for $100 each, so take this into consideration when choosing your scale. But sometimes, size doesn't count the most. Very beautiful and well written lens. All rights are reserved and they should not be copied or otherwise used without my express permission. Abstract images usually look good in any home as long as the colors compliment each other. Most people just dont have the space. The yr before, sold 3 paintings. Are smaller paintings more sellable than larger ones? Hardly what I expected, but I still spent the money for that sale. I wish I had time to take up painting! For myself, those are the paintings I sold best. Some collectors like landscapes, seascapes, and still lives. I have tried to find a market for my paintings in the UK but not any success till today! Local views, landmarks, events, or histories that are distinct and unique to a particular place sell well. The survey also researched what the best-selling media were. It is one of the best articles I have read about selling art. I think the most important thing is to do what your passionite about and it will show and folks will respond. That way, they can look at their pieces everyday and show them off to guests who come over. Are there certain colours that sell best? Ive always used pencil anx have done the odd sketch picture in the past. Thank you for writing this lens artyfax. According to a study that was picked up by artnet News, blue and red, the two primary colors that have been staples of everything from national flags to high-end fashion, are indeed the most popular colors when it comes to what sells at auction. R. Saler - Large Contemporary Oil, Boy Fishing. Impressionistic landscapes also have a wide appeal. I appreciate the comments you shared too. Acrylic on Stretched Canvas Richiewest from Devon, United Kingdom. Many who have beach homes choose to decorate those walls with beachy art, and many buy seascapes to remember their vacations. Thank you very much for sharing this article. We have looked at themes, size, colour, media, and successful deceased artists that sell well. LOL! Not only that, but most galleries now conduct a large percentage of their sales online or via mobile apps. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. I'm planning on starting a new hobby soon - looks like it's going to be painting! And the aspect of memory of places is very true. Consider this analysis: Maybe we should aim for the high-priced / collectors' market, but realistically it may prove more profitable to consider selling copies (maybe a limited edition) or trying to increase income from an artwork by publishing the art in various formats such as greeting cards. Local scenes definitely appeal to buyers, for personal, historic, and nostalgic reasons. I really like your artwork! If an artist is to make enough money to live from their art, they must treat it like a business. Art buyers are attracted by the idea of a controlled supply. I love abstracts! If my future ever pans out, I'd love to buy paintings and showcase them around my dreamhome. Inspired by a residency in Umbria. Shabby Chic White Shells, Original Rustic Shells Coastal Painting with Acrylic on Canvas After all, the landscape is universal: Everyone understands and appreciates a long view, so it's an easy choice for a buyer. I liked the contents and ideas on your website. Do I need to paint pieces to satisfy the need in the art business? You have given me some ideas. In my art group, there are two ladies who take commissions for animal portraits and they seem to do more cats than dogsbut of course, my experience is anecdotal. I have always been fascinated by his work, especially his industrial landscapes and matchstick people. I have an aching for buying street vendor paintings like from Paris, and any country, with their little nooks of shop filled streets. Minimalist New Media Original Painting on Canvas My daughter, Meltedrachel, here on Squidoo is a textiles artist. I think you are right, you have to paint what you love. So, whatever you decide to paint, someone out there will be interested in gazing upon it. I create a texture in my pastel paintings by building up the painting in layers so that early layers show through in the finished piece. However, we artists often forget that art that sells often recreates something from the viewer's past or triggers some memory. I like your comments John, I paint what I like, and the technique that I like. Judith Brenner Chardonnay 90 x120cm Mixed Media on Watercolour Paper unframed 3000 Thank you for all the amazing information on this lens. Gustav Klimt's landscape, Bauerngarten (1907), sold for $59.3 million. Lots of little nuggets to take home. In this article, we'll explore the popular subjects and themes for art that sells, including sales in the world of fine art prints. But realistically, if you paint really good nudes, you will have more success concentrating on your strengths than you would painting mediocre landscapes. Of all of the colors, red is the best-selling color in art. This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. Just the information that I needed to read as I try and build a base of 'sellable' work. Although the trend is shifting towards clothed rather than unclothed figures, there is still (and probably always will be) a market for nudes.