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Posted: August 14, 2012

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My first commission and I'm not sure if it's worth it

=zylanthe Aug 14, 2012 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

Hey everyone, I just completed my first commission on canvas. It's a 20x24 painting (see below), and the person who commissioned me is willing to pay me $40 for it. Should I be happy with this price? I feel like it's worth more than that to me.

Or maybe it's just hard to part with my first commissioned piece... What do you think?

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~Ebongrave Aug 18, 2012 Student General Artist

I love your painting. I personally think it is definitely worth more than $40. But that really isn't that bad for a first canvas commission.
It is also really hard to part with work that you have put a lot of work into and that you love. But if the person you sell your work to loves the piece as well, than they will look at it and enjoy it all the time, and probably talk about the piece to their family and friends who enter their home. so even though you don't get to see the original anymore, it is out in the world being enjoyed by others. which is pretty cool.

Having said that, if you guys haven't already set the price in stone and you don't feel comfortable giving your art away for that price... simply don't.

=zylanthe Aug 18, 2012 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

Thank you for your kind comment! You make several great points. They told me they love the piece, which is great, so I'm sure they'd treasure it as well. But I don't feel comfortable giving away my art for that price like you said, so I actually decided not to already, and they understood!

~Ebongrave Aug 18, 2012 Student General Artist

That's great!

I'm so glad to hear it all worked out!

~Huberstein Aug 18, 2012

I'd say around $300-400 since it's traditional media. It depends also on how much time you spent on it.

~MichaelAshbrook Aug 17, 2012 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

I think the customer is entitled to pay $40 for it because that's what you agreed to.

In the long run, it's more important do do stuff that will advance you to a place where you could earn a living as an artist, if that's what you want to do. It would be nice if you could make a multiple of the minimum wage from painting, but that's not necessarily possible at this stage of your artistic journey.

~ivo55 Aug 17, 2012

I think that you should be proud of yourself.
To be commissioned and sell for a first time is a great think to happen to every artist doesn't meter the price.

~MYTHICSONOFGOD Aug 16, 2012 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

As a lawyer I tell you that if you already made a contract (both agreed) and you can't change the price unless your comisioner agrees. it would be illegal and unethical.

But in the future charge more by all means.

=zylanthe Aug 16, 2012 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

I did not make a contract. But thanks for the advice!

=Cnids Aug 17, 2012 Hobbyist General Artist

Make sure to do one in future so that you have something to protect yourself with if things go awry.

*tursiart Aug 16, 2012 Professional Traditional Artist

You already agreed to $40 so it would be bad form of you to go back on that now. Just chalk it up to an expensive lesson learned. I gave away a lot of great art when I was just starting out. Also, never feel bad about selling your art or parting with it. That's something I think a lot of young artists struggle with (becoming emotionally attached to something they've invested a lot of time in.) but you need to get over that. You want your work out there in people's collections, not hiding in your closet or where ever.

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My first commission and I'm not sure if it's worth it

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