How much should I charge for this painting?

Question

I was asked by an acquaintance to paint a picture of his house using watercolor paint. It is 10" x 21" and took me 2 1/2 days to paint it. I told him that he doesn't have to pay me, but he insists, and he keeps asking me how much he should pay me. I told him to wait until I finish it to name a price. I am finished with it, but I still have no idea how much to charge him! Can you help me out? Here is a link to my painting: http://audreyjayne.deviantart.com/art/Adam-and-Sharon-s-House-94968668

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Ahhhh!

The age old question!!!  This is a huge problem for us artists.  We not only have to create the piece, but we have to turn into a salesman---yikes!  The possiblities you have to take into account are endless...how much time spent on the painting....difficulty of the painting....medium....size....yadda yadda.  I've gotten to the point where now I quote before I paint.  It's an extremely difficult process because no one situation is the same as the other, however many times I've been approached to paint something that I don't even want my name on.  Hence...one painting I did from a photo of someone's dad wearing only shorts and loafers, on a bareback horse.  These are the kind of painting that you quote HIGH.  If they want to pay, then it's worth it and make some money.  If they don't, then you're off the hook.  THE REAL LESSON----they know what to expect.  Remember.....Don't let people think that they're doing you a favor by letting you paint something for them.  This is skilled work.  If they could do it, then they wouldn't ask you.  

This painting looks like something that you might have enjoyed doing.(?)  Those are the kind of paintings that make sense to me and I would quote very fairly, but DON'T undersell yourself because you enjoyed it.  Remember...The frame for this will probably be more expensive than the art itself.

Most people who don't paint or create art in general are very nervous when it comes to art.  They have absolutely no idea how these things are contrived, let alone priced.  This person sounds like he's feeling guilty by not paying you, and I like him already.  Letting him give you what he thinks it's worth will only make him feel worse.  He'll always wonder, "Did I pay enough....I hope I didn't insult the artist".   I'd ask for a hundred to a hundred fifty and make it soud like a favor, because it is.  Next time someone asks you to paint something, tell them to let you see the photo if there is one, ask tons of questions about size, style, bla bla, Write it all down and then tell them that you need some time to establish a price.  Now you have the time to mull it over a bit and do some research.  Some people LOVE paying a lot of money for art.  They like to brag about it to there friends and feel like they're shopping at Macy's instead of Walmart.  These people are easy to spot.  My motto is "Personality = Price" ----But that's always subject to change of course.  

Remember----They hear the phrase "starving artist" and they think, "Oh poor you".  They also know about some famous artists who's works go for millions.  Many believe that there is no "happy medium" for us artists, which is bologna!  I am a VERY happy medium and I'm having filet mignon tonight.

Kimberly

Answer 2

about $40 or so.