Pricing Pet and People Portraits

Last time we talked about pricing your art, readers had some thoughtful comments on the matter. Some of you mentioned that you'd hoped for more exact guideline - some actual figures would be helpful! So I've done a bit of research and come up with a few numbers. It's important to realise that there are a lot of variables, as I mentioned in the previous post. You need to make a realistic judgement about your work.

First of all I'm looking at prices for a commissioned realist graphite pencil portrait, of a single pet or person, approximately A4 size. The cheapest 'real' price for artwork of an acceptable standard is $50 US. The standard at this price is competent, but not highly detailed, nor with any outstanding artistic flair.

The majority of artists are charging $150 to $220 US. Works in this price range are detailed and accurate, usually of face or head and shoulders only, on a clean white background. Some are less detailed but hve a creative element, utilizing hatching or visible linework for effect; only a few artists seem to choose to work from life.

Artists charging the upper end or higher demonstrate a flair for composition, using superior reference images and exploiting the full tonal and textural possibilities of photo-realist style. Some artists offer moderately priced Giclee prints of their artwork for as little as $30.

Artists charging $350 and up are well established, usually with very professional websites, offering a range of sizes and often including prints and other merchandise. Print prices were around $90 in this group. The artwork in this price range was very solid, with artists clearly masters of their craft. Every artwork invites you to look more closely, and you would pick no faults in composition, with perfect proportions and flawless rending of textures and skin tones.

Artists charging $800 to $1200 'in demand' or developing a reputation. Again, these artists have professional sites and extensive portfolios, including giclee prints. Most portfolios in this price range include high-profile comissions, such as sporting portraits, with artists specializing in one or two areas and establishing a reputation in that genre. Some artists of this calibre publish limited edition prints with price tags from $100 to $300, open edition prints being cheaper - of popular decorative themes. Artwork of artists able to command this sort of price for a moderately sized portrait must be outstanding. Their familiarity with their medium means that they are able to compensate for any problems with the source photos and create a completely convincing illusion in graphite. Most commissioned work in this price range was highly realist rather than creative or expressive.

In the over $1500 price range we see a shift towards working from life (sometimes supplemented by the artist's own photography). These artists usually have training and are very experienced, with multiple awards and prizes in their C.V., and are well represented in many collections.

Some artists charge as much as $3500 for portrait drawings. These artists position themselves as high-end personal and corporate portraitists, represented by galleries or dealers and with a highly professional approach to their work. Successful artists in this price range usually have an Academic, Classical Realist style.