How do you sell your paintings?
Here are 10 ways you can use to sell your paintings and earn money from your Art. You’ll have to tailor each of these methods based on the type of work you’re trying to sell and the market you’re trying to reach. I recommend that you try each method at least once (even if it fails), so that you can identify which methods work best for you, and then re-purpose those methods going forward.
1) Decide what you want to do with your art
If you’re not sure what you want to do with your art, consider selling it in a gallery or through an art dealer. Many galleries rely on artists who are willing to regularly contribute work for future sales. If that’s something you’re interested in, research which local galleries have artists like yourself—or reach out directly via email or social media and ask about their submission requirements.
2) Get a business license
One of the most important things you can do when trying to sell art is obtain a business license. If you’re working from home, having a business license can be tricky—but it’s also something that your customers might appreciate. It shows that you are serious about what you do, and it lets them know they’re dealing with a legitimate artist who doesn’t have any shady affiliations. Obtaining a license won’t necessarily result in more sales, but it will give you peace of mind (and it’ll help keep scammers away).
Make New Connections
3) Pick out a place to sell your work
The first thing you need to do if you want to sell your art is pick out a venue. Do you want to sell your work at a gallery? You can visit local galleries and ask about becoming an artist-in-residence or drop off some of your art and set up an appointment for someone in management or curation at that gallery. You may also choose to try selling your paintings online. If so, there are countless websites available where you can list and market your work, such as Artsy, Blurb, Etsy and Behance Portfolio among others. It’s always a good idea to shop around and see what fits with you best.
4) Make sure you know what your competitors are charging
The first thing you want to do is make sure that your prices are competitive. If you price too high, buyers will be less likely to buy from you, and if your prices are too low, people will assume that either (1) your art isn’t worth as much as it is or (2) that you’re desperate for money. This can hurt you in a couple of ways. First, buyers might not value what they get for what they pay for it. Second, when negotiating with a buyer about price after a sale has been made, there is no perceived reason for him or her to offer a lower price because he or she feels like he or she already got such a great deal. Instead of saying How much do I have left?
5) Build an online presence
A website is one of your most valuable tools when selling art. By featuring your work and professional information, you’re letting visitors know exactly what they can expect when they buy from you. When a customer visits your site, they should know exactly what they’re looking at and why it’s worth their money. You should also make sure that you have a prominent contact us page where potential buyers can get in touch with you. While we don’t encourage pushy sales tactics, building an online presence makes it easier for customers to find out more about your work and how to purchase it. Without that avenue for contact, you lose out on a large number of sales opportunities every year—and that means less money in your pocket.
Helping Artists Stand Out
6) Host an in-person event like an exhibition or show at a local gallery
Holding an event is a great way to spread awareness about your art and get people interested in buying. You can find a gallery willing to host you by doing some research online. Just make sure you have a few good pieces that aren’t too niche-specific (for example, paintings featuring animals probably won’t sell well in a traditional gallery) and write up a bio or introduction that tells people who you are and why your art is worth investing in. Keep in mind that gallery fees will take some of your profit, but if you can sell even one painting at a show, it’s likely still worth it! Learn more about selling paintings on Artsy.
7) Become part of the community
Becoming part of an art community is a good way to see what’s selling and find out if your style matches up with what people are buying. Local galleries often hold open calls where you can submit your work and get feedback; meanwhile, social media can help you find like-minded artists who are already selling their art. If you’re looking for an immediate return on your creative efforts, it might make sense to focus on pieces that fit into preexisting niches—like portraits or landscapes in particular colors.
How To Sell Paintings Online
8) Create and keep a great online portfolio
It’s a common misconception that artists need a physical gallery space in order to sell their paintings. Creating and maintaining an online portfolio—like Art Station or DeviantArt, for example—can be just as effective, if not more so, than opening up shop at a local art center. When creating your portfolio, make sure to include plenty of details about your artistic journey and point people toward your other social media accounts where they can learn more about you and contact you. In order to sell your paintings online (as opposed to in person), it’s helpful if you do some research on how digital sales work; without understanding how purchases are made online, it may feel difficult for anyone outside of your immediate circle of friends or family members to purchase something from you.
9) Know when to move on
Sometimes, you won’t be able to sell your paintings. It might not happen for a while, but that doesn’t mean it won’t ever happen. Even though persistence is key, at some point you have to accept that it might never work out and move on. So be ready for rejection—and know when it’s time to accept defeat. If you don’t find buyers after 1000 tries, either get better at marketing or stop painting altogether (although I hope neither of those are true). Give yourself permission to fail without letting that failure define you or your talents. Don’t give up if things don’t work out right away—but make sure you’re willing and able to try again if necessary in order to achieve your goals.
10) Set prices based on demand
The first thing to do when trying to sell your paintings is determine what you want from them: Maybe you’re just looking for a little extra cash, or maybe you’re trying to turn a few of your pieces into a business. Either way, setting prices based on demand can help you get more for your art—and it’s actually not as tricky as it sounds.
The first thing to do when trying to sell your paintings is determine what you want from them: Maybe you’re just looking for a little extra cash, or maybe you’re trying to turn a few of your pieces into a business. Either way, setting prices based on demand can help you get more for your art—and it’s actually not as tricky as it sounds. You simply have to figure out which galleries are likely to want your work and find out how much they normally pay artists. In most cases, that information is public and easy to find; all you have to do is look at their websites or contact them directly for details about their usual payment methods. If a gallery doesn’t post their rates online, call and ask!