Post 102: Painting What Sells?

Painting What Sells?

Do you paint only what you want without a thought to the work being sold? How's your attitude toward your artwork - "if it sells, it sells" or do you paint with SELLING as your ultimate goal?

Do You Paint for the Purpose of Selling?

I do believe creative people just HAVE to BE creative, somehow and some way, just for the love of it. They just have to. 

I was wondering though, how many of you do your artwork with the subject, theme, perhaps the colors, with the intention of making a sale with what you create?

Definitely, I've met artist that are both ways. Some are trying to make a living being an artist - which means of course, getting out there and pushing, pushing, pushing toward getting their artwork seen and getting those sales.

But I see it as do you paint (or create) what you love and try to sell it or do you intentionally select what you create so that it appeals to specific audiences (clients) that you show it to?

Favorite Themes that Sell

I went in search of "what sells" when it comes to art. 

 

Although you never know what might strike someone's fancy when it comes to art, there are generalized art themes that are said to sell. There is no set formula. The uniqueness, the quality of the work and the cost all effect the sale-ability and probably a LOT more, including:

• the person's decor
• the size of artwork
• colors used in the artwork
• the person's budget
  

Obviously, there is a lot we have no control over as the artist. Also a beneficial influence is that people do enjoy meeting the artist and getting to know them, albeit even online, which familiarizes the appeal for that person's art. It puts a familiarity and personal "relationship" with the artist.

There ARE things that do sell more than others and this list is basically in order:

 

• Traditional Landscapes and Local Views - from tranquil mountain, field and forest scenes and farmlands to your local-to-you hot spots and historical spots. I found that while in Occoquan, have artwork OF Occoquan.
  
• Modern and Abstract Landscapes
  
• Seascapes, Beach Scenes, Harbors - these remind many potential buyers of a great vacation and dreams of "where they wanna be".
  
• Abstracts - probably includes paint pours. Emotion, mood, color, size all must appeal to the viewer.
  
• Dogs - You know people and their pets, dogs in particular. Dog and Cat pet portraits done well at good prices, that is pay dirt in my opinion.
  
• Wildlife - Lions and tigers and bears, oh my. I've seen a lot of sales of sea turtles and birds, so sort of knowing what favorite critters are, and cute depictions of various critters, and larger than life animal life paintings have appeal.
  
• Impressionistic Landscapes
  
• Figure Studies and Nudes - these appeal to a lot of people because people like looking at other people -with and without their clothes. Frankly, I admire the artists that are good at painting the human form.
  

What Size of Paintings Sell?

Some artists only work on a large scale big-butt canvases, while others may work on a mixture of sizes. Some artists can work in miniatures and small sizes with great detail, while another artist may find that too confining a space to work in.

The big as a couch, over-the-couch paintings, diptychs, triptychs - the multi-panel paintings, are considerations for the buyer as focal point walls, which also means that the color(s) plays an important part when people decorate their homes. 

Much harder to tote around huge paintings for art shows - for you and the potential buyer, these impressive pieces do have impact, eye-catching effect. Delivery and or shipping, pickup - all have to be considered, perhaps by both.

I think the artist has to analyze when displaying and showing his artwork what will most likely sell AT that art event. This past year I started the "3x4 mini painting with easel" trend for my own artwork. A good price point, a good gift, easy to find a space for it in a home or office, they do sell. And the animal ones seem to sell the best.

A question I have asked at some of our Prince William Art Society events is "What has sold best in the past at this event?" Often, it has been the smaller paintings for the reason of price and carrying the purchase around. 

Some may see it as I can sell one large piece for big bucks as opposed to nickle and dimes for many small paintings - well, maybe if you are already a successful artist. Your opinion needed on this one...

 

What Media Sells the Best?

Prints - obviously because they are generally less expensive than the original artwork. People can support the arts without buying that original piece and the most popular sellers are the limited-edition prints - from offset-litho and giclee prints.

Oil and acrylic paintings are still the next selling media, with watercolors coming next.

Next thought is how well mixed media does - I'm interested in how well these trends are as I see many artists in our group producing some fascinating work in mixed media.

 

What Color Sells the Best?

I'm not sure how true it is but I am reading that the color red helps a sale. If landscapes and seascapes are so high up on the list of what sells, wouldn't that mean that blue sky, blue water, and green landscapes are big sellers? 

Every year the fashion and decor folks come up with "color of the year". I'm wondering if there is any influence with that choice?

Where Do You Sell the Most Artwork?

Do you sell more online or offline? Where online? Do you do well at local art shows, art galleries, libraries, art events?

Do you sell more locally or internationally?

Maybe a lesser question is do you find a better time of year to sell your artwork?

"Seasonal" Art?

Holiday, snow scenes, pumpkins - there is definitely artwork for certain times of year, but do you leave it up all year? Do you leave a snow scene or a Santa Claus painting hanging in its spot throughout the year? Or do you cycle your artwork out depending on season?

 

And Before I Put the Paintbrush Down...

I do have a few more questions.

Being absolutely unique in style - definitely more eye-catching and quite often very interesting, is it harder or easier to sell?

Still life - do they still sell well? 

Is there a price point that sells best - not only for prints but size of painting?

There is absolutely no right or wrong when an artist is being creative. I'm not saying that. And I do believe the "starving artist" thing isn't necessarily true these days, but you do what you have to do to keep food on the table. Just DO what you are good at. But I do see it as having multiple price points available to appeal to more potential clients.

I recently sold a painting called "Just Look Up" and hearing from the new owner, she said, "Whenever I look at my new painting, it makes me happy." As the poet Robert Frost said, "And that has made all the difference."

 

By Donna Liguria "Just Look Up" 16x20 Acrylic on Canvas (SOLD)

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Local Art: Visit us at Clearbrook Center of the Arts at Tackett's Mill in Lake Ridge, VA on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 – it’s free to see the artwork! Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

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Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA and Artistry Spin Blog Admin, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, Donna's Etsy site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.

 

 

Photography/Video Credits: 

Donna Liguria