How Can I
Market My Oil
Paintings?
by Lloyd Dobson
To be a successful artist, you must properly market your
artwork in a variety of venues, and your success ultimately
rests upon your artistic ability and drive. Because the art world is competitive, only
those actively marketing their art in the right places and in
the proper manner are able to consistently turn a profit.
1) Make a portfolio. Every serious artist should keep a portfolio of his or her work. A portfolio illustrates your
painting style and your body of work. Inside the
portfolio, keep professional-quality photographic
representations of all your oil paintings,
including the ones you have already sold. The portfolio serves as an artist's showroom and
resume. Also, be sure to have a digital version of your portfolio, making it
easier to market your paintings on-line.
2) Paint on location. Choose an area with a high level of foot traffic, and set up your easel, canvas and palette in that location. Pick a subject
to paint that is in your vicinity. As passers-by look
on, they can gauge your talents by how well your painting represents the
subject.
Painting on location also gives you the opportunity to
answer the questions of those interested in
purchasing your artwork. Be sure to keep a few
finished paintings nearby, as well as business cards to hand out to those interested
in your work.
3) Display your work. Visit various establishments,
such as coffee shops, fashion retailers and
bookstores, to determine if your artwork would work well with the decor. If so, ask if it would be possible
to hang your artwork inside these establishments,
with a percentage of any sales going to the owners of the establishments. If
the place of business declines, consider
donating the piece to the business in an effort to
place your work in public view.
Depending on your work, you may be able to
convince high-class clubs, hotels and restaurants to display your pieces, with or without a percentage of the profits going to
them. Affluent art lovers are more likely to pay for
original artwork.
It even may be possible to display your pieces at your
local city hall or public library. Be sure to enter
your artwork into various local and regional art
contests and art festivals. The more people who see
your artwork, the better are your chances of selling it.
4) Donate some of your artwork for a cause. For
example, donate a painting to a silent auction to benefit
cancer research or to a library in your community for
beautification purposes. You are not only doing good in your
community, you are putting your artwork into public
display. Also, keep in mind that artwork donations are tax
deductible.
5) Sell your artwork on-line. Creating a website
dedicated to marketing your oil paintings is an inventive way to put your artwork into public view. Do-it-yourself
website services are available on-line for a fee.
Your website should display your work and biographical
information about you.
The website also should function as a store, allowing consumers to easily purchase
your oil paintings from the site. If you are not Internet-
savvy, sell your paintings through on-line art galleries. Numerous on-line galleries
offer their services for a sales percentage. Often, sites will
allow you to showcase as many oil paintings as you desire,
usually with a free trial period before fees begin.
A wide range of art genres and mediums can be found on these sites, and it is in the site's best interest to
market your paintings properly. Fees are
reasonable, and many art gallery sites boast high
traffic volume.Here is one such website called “Oil Paintings
Online”
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The Web Somewhere, Go To This Website/Blog For Additional Information Concerning Marketing
Your Artwork!www.LloydDobsonArtist.c
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