Paintings as a way to earn money: recommendations for a beginning artist Automatic translate

Any portrait or landscape painter dreams of fame, exhibitions in prestigious galleries, wealthy buyers who can appreciate his talent. In life, not all creative individuals are able to profitably present their work to the general public; the lack of entrepreneurial spirit becomes a serious problem. If you approach the art trade as a regular business project, it is much easier to formulate a product promotion strategy and turn your hobby into an additional source of income.

By exhibiting works in the online gallery , the artist is guaranteed to acquire new fans of his work. Registration on specialized resources is usually free, but a commission is charged for services.

Studying the biographies of famous masters, whose paintings are worth millions these days, amazing facts are revealed: their paintings did not cause much delight among their contemporaries, and real recognition came only after death. A special contribution to the popularization of many little-known names of their era was made by nosy art dealers, who benefit enormously from the hype.

History lessons from the example of unrecognized geniuses

To continue writing or to give up a hobby that is not capable of generating a stable profit is a question that artists who have not been spoiled by the attention of art critics and wealthy connoisseurs of beauty ask themselves.

Vincent Van Gogh painted 860 paintings, the total number of works is more than two thousand. The Dutch post-impressionist lived in poverty for years; he committed suicide at the age of 37, before he could bathe in the glory. Who would have thought that a hundred years after Van Gogh’s death, “Portrait of Doctor Gachet” would go under the hammer at a New York auction for $82 million. For a long time, the lot was considered the most expensive in the world.

Admiration for Van Gogh’s work has become fashionable, but few people know about the art critic Julius Meyer-Graeff, who after the artist’s death decided to start selling his paintings. To stir up the interest of the public, a beautiful legend was invented about a talented loner who perfectly mastered the technique of painting in just 10 years. Some events were true, but most were fiction. Thanks to this non-standard technique, people started talking about Van Gogh. However, the great master only had to wait a little: his technique became widespread a little later.

Paul Gauguin built a successful career as a stockbroker, but his soul was drawn to art. He gave up everything to paint despite disapproving reviews from critics. The press ridiculed the colorful images, not understanding the complex metaphors embedded in the plot composition. Gauguin did not despair and remained faithful to his favorite craft to the end, even though it did not bring money. Fame came only three years after the artist’s death. An exhibition of 227 works was organized, almost all of them were instantly sold out. Work “When is the wedding?” in 2015 it was acquired by the Qatar Museum Department for $300 million.

Biographies of Van Gogh, Gauguin and other unsurpassed masters of the brush teach us to never give up, even if society is not yet ready to accept an unusual style, and the queue of buyers is only in our dreams. Fortune is a capricious lady. Who knows, maybe there are only a few days left until better times.

How much should a young artist ask for paintings?

Focusing only on the cost of work is the wrong approach, and it’s also a bad idea to set unrealistically high prices.

The ability to competently sell art is a great talent. It is necessary to understand that the cost depends on a number of factors, for example, the popularity of the author, the cost of materials, the amount of time spent on creating the canvas, the plot, the perfection of technology, belonging to a particular movement, etc.

When taking your first steps in the art market, do not try to earn a large sum right away. If the price of one canvas significantly exceeds the average salary in the region, the chances of selling it are almost zero. Reputable collectors are rarely interested in the work of newcomers; the target audience, as a rule, is ordinary people who decide to decorate their living room or bedroom.

Sales strategy: how to make yourself known

People who are sociable and have extensive connections find it easier to interest others. Alternatively, you can hold a presentation of the paintings in front of influential acquaintances and friends. They will either acquire a new interior detail themselves or advertise the works to their immediate circle and business partners.

In the modern world, websites are used to sell goods. An artist’s own Internet resource is a great way to reach people by posting a so-called portfolio: a short biography, information about exhibitions, pictures of works, contact information, etc. At the beginning of a career, an individual page on a free hosting is enough. A good idea is to blog on social networks to communicate with like-minded people.

It is not recommended to spend money to ensure that your site is promoted to the top of search results: the costs will not pay for themselves, and you will not be able to maintain a place in the top 10 for a long time. It is more profitable to hire an experienced webmaster who can create a beautiful and functional catalog.

Cooperation with art dealers can be successful. The main thing is to find a person who understands modern painting. Its future fate depends on the quality of the assessment of the canvas. Unfortunately, many specialists in this profile think only about their own commission, completely lacking the business skills necessary for the profession. By entrusting them with a sale, the artist risks not waiting for his buyer.

Achieving success in the world of art is a feasible task; the main thing is not to give up and actively work for results.