Asking for a friend - how much would you pay for a painting like this of your dog? (photo and painting attached)

[LimitIsUp]

She has painted this for a friend and its gone down well - to the extent that others have seen it and want her to do a painting for them. She has no idea what to charge.

Thanks

I used to sell my art (MA level artist) - for A3, detailed work for someone at A level (not that that's particularly relevant as it's a well done painting regardless of training, but just there's no premium to add for being an artist with a track record) I'd say £150-£200.

More than you think but if you are giving them mates' rates make it very clear. Work out how much time it took, cost of materials and then add in some intangible stuff like your expertise and opportunity cost and even sick pay and pension etc. That's not to say that you will charge them all of that but that will give you the price you would charge to a private customer. Then you can give them a discount on that price. I think it's best to start high and give a discount as it gives you wriggle room to change your prices later. If you start too low you have nowehere to go if this takes off.
Whatever you do don't undervalue yourself. There is obviously demand there.
I'm not on Facebook any more but there used to be a group on there called Stop Working for Free which was full of creative professionals trying to end the culture of unpaid and low paid work. Some of them may be able to advise.

I would frame them too.

Yes there are loads of pet “artists” out there but lots of them are crap. It takes a particular talent to capture a real likeness and the character of the sitter. Your daughter has got it in spades. Don’t let her undersell herself, she’s special.

£150-£200 for sure.

@LimitIsUp

I don't really want to say how long it took at this stage as that might steer the answers - looking for gut reactions. I will say how long later... (sorry to be initially vague)

Well that is quite important to costing

On a related subject, if anyone knows anything about Art and whether there is a single solitary Art school left in the UK which teaches traditional art skills then let me know. Dd was going to go to Uni to study Fine Art, but its all about piles of bog roll stuck on a parachute or similar, so she has elected not to.

This very much resonates with dd inews.co.uk/opinion/comment/art-schools-traditional-skills-young-artists-opinion-alexander-mccall-smith-345825

This is fantastic! What type of paint did she use?

Your daughter is very talented, the painting is fantastic, I'd pay £120-£150.

Acrylics

I have a watercolour portrait of my dog and it was £40 framed.
I have two charcoaled drawings of another two which were £80 each.
I have a friend who is an extremely fine detailed artist and hers are around £180.
I would pay between £80-100 for what your daughter has done.

"Yes there are loads of pet “artists” out there but lots of them are crap."

I agree, I've seen a few

Not going to lie, I have no idea but just wanted to say I think she's a brilliant artist.

I would recommend your daughter check out the Design Trust for very helpful information and advice about how to price work (time, materials & any other expenses) and also guidance on fees and day rates by The Artists Information Company (Google this to view the pdf doc for 2020). She should research how much other similar artists charge and adjust accordingly. If she decides to offer mates rates then she should make that clear otherwise she is undercutting the market!

It is very good and I acknowledge the talent and work as I can't draw but I would have done a different colour and patterned background. I feel it doesn't go.

Fair point about not undercutting the market

She will make it clear if she offers mates rates. Will look at those websites

I also think the size of the painting would be a factor as I can’t see it mentioned (sorry if is) but I would say £80 - £150 - would make a lovely Xmas present for a pet lover

A3 NewJob

I paid £125 for a watercolour of a family dog, framed.

I'd pay between £80 and £100

Agree with @Passmethefrazzles that's why we didn't do it because we wanted to be sure of getting a picture that actually looked like him! It's not the sort of thing I'd order from someone I didn't know.

Is it worth considering art places in Europe and the US? I know, brexit fiascoes but perhaps worth thinking about wider scope.

No idea about costs. Not too keen on the background. She could cut time and costs by having the background plain or just one colour to make it more affordable for more people to buy it? Love the painting though, she's a great artist

I'd have put the level of skill at A level if asked. It's good and it is extremely charming, but it is not without technical errors which are to be expected in someone who is not yet a professional. I would therefore expect to pay slightly less than I would pay a professional artist.

But ultimately she is entitled to charge whatever she likes, and if people like it they will happily pay that price. From experience I would say people aren;t actually all that bothered about price if they love a picture (by which I mean the difference between £100 and £150 won't bother them)
If someone isn't pleased with your work they won't buy it at all. So she should aim for what she wants to be paid and she can always lower it if necessary or if she decides to sell more in the future. Never undersell yourself - you can always reduce but you don't want someone saying 'Only £100 ? I'd have paid £200 for it'

Interesting about the background. When she does other paintings for friends and family she'll get a steer from them on the background they would like first. I felt that the background worked when I saw it. but then it was held against a plain wall at the time - she's photographed this on grass which I don't think helps

This is amazing,I will happily pay at least £150.