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Original poster

Is DD’s art work good enough to sell.

730 replies

themotherhoodproject · 08/05/2024 08:23

NC for this as a regular user of MN and this is fairly outing but looking for peoples unbiased opinions.

DD is an A level Art student, it’s actually not where her love lies she is hoping to apply for BIMM’s university In Bristol to peruse music and she also does performing arts.

However she is very talented in her painting and blows me away weekly with her work, we have had a few extra special things from her (some of you might remember the snowman Christmas card, it seemed very popular) and lots of people on here saying that they would buy if able too.

Another few months have gone by and we just had another cracker of a card from her (a thank you card for a friend) and well I just think it’s wonderful and have said she should really think about taking on commissions.

We live in a very rural area so lots of horse and dog lovers and I honestly think she could make a bit of pocket money to put away for uni life or fritter away on gigs noodles and vinyl

Can I ask what people think, she is only a year into A level art and will have lots more of technique to learn but maybe £15 a painting she might have some takers?

Is DD’s art work good enough to sell.
OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
Superstoria · 08/05/2024 08:25

Being honest? I think she’s great for her age but I wouldn’t pay for that one, no.

beetforever · 08/05/2024 08:25

does your DD know you’ve started this thread?

spriots · 08/05/2024 08:27

Something she could look at is taking commissions for pet portraits.

There is a lady on my road who does this and she charges more like £400!

I think your DD just starting out should charge less but not £15, maybe £50 or so to start with?

Luxell934 · 08/05/2024 08:27

That’s really good but honestly I wouldn’t buy it; but who knows some might. Worth a try!

Original poster
themotherhoodproject · 08/05/2024 08:27

beetforever · 08/05/2024 08:25

does your DD know you’ve started this thread?

Thank you for you concern but yes she does!

OP posts:
beetforever · 08/05/2024 08:28

themotherhoodproject · 08/05/2024 08:27

Thank you for you concern but yes she does!

Show quote history

i wasn’t “concerned”

i was curious 🤷

beetforever · 08/05/2024 08:29

£15? be how long would it take her to do the above?

Original poster
themotherhoodproject · 08/05/2024 08:29

beetforever · 08/05/2024 08:28

i wasn’t “concerned”

i was curious 🤷

Show quote history

But what does it have to do with anything that I put on my OP..

Why would you be curious of that?

OP posts:
Anameisaname · 08/05/2024 08:30

I think the only option would be pet commissions. If there are lots of horsey people nearby they may be interested.

I am not sure it is distinctive enough to sell in its own right sorry. She may have some luck if she sold them at a fair or something cheap enough for people to buy on impulse perhaps.

Original poster
themotherhoodproject · 08/05/2024 08:30

beetforever · 08/05/2024 08:29

£15? be how long would it take her to do the above?

This has taken her around 6 hours.

OP posts:
beetforever · 08/05/2024 08:30

themotherhoodproject · 08/05/2024 08:29

But what does it have to do with anything that I put on my OP..

Why would you be curious of that?

Show quote history

who knows?! 😆

Laughingfaceemoji · 08/05/2024 08:31

Like the poster above maybe look at commissions, painting peoples pets. Somewhere like Etsy? I personally wouldn’t pay for that but I’m sure some people would.

Tygertiger · 08/05/2024 08:31

She’s got a good grasp of proportion but needs to work on texture and depth. Eg the yellow fly shield looks like it’s part of the horse’s head, not sitting on top of it (and seems to be growing into the mane) and the eye needs to look shinier and a different texture to the coat. It’s a lovely amateur drawing but I don’t think currently is good enough to charge for. Which is not to say she won’t be good enough when she’s got more experience and has built up more understanding of technique.

MumMumMumMumMumMumMum · 08/05/2024 08:32

Maybe it's just the style but I don't think it's fantastic to be honest. Lack of definition and fine detail in areas. There's skill there though so more time spent learning would improve it.

Original poster
themotherhoodproject · 08/05/2024 08:32

Ahh sorry I did mean per portraits, sorry, I probably didn’t word my OP correctly…

Lots of animal lovers, big horse area, maybe someone might like a reasonable priced painting of their horse/dog.

OP posts:
Original poster
themotherhoodproject · 08/05/2024 08:33

Thanks everyone, it’s all very helpful. 😊

OP posts:
MercyDulb0ttle · 08/05/2024 08:33

No.

Hugmorecats · 08/05/2024 08:33

I think it’s very good but I’m not that into horses so wouldn’t buy it. I would be interested if she could do a personalised one of my pet. Think there is a lot of competition for that though. See what is being charged on Etsy.

Personalised birthday/Wedding invites could be another idea

YourNimblePeachTraybake · 08/05/2024 08:33

Personally I think it's really good, and, if you're looking at pet portraits, people will definitely buy.

CrissCrossAppleSauce · 08/05/2024 08:35

What about prints on greeting cards. A bit of initial outlay, but she could sell at a few markets and this could work to advertise for private commissions?

LightDrizzle · 08/05/2024 08:37

I assume the finish on that looks a bit poor because it is a card and she has painted it directly rather than painted on a larger scale and then had is reproduced smaller as someone would do commercially.

It looks good for something painted on a small scale. I remember the Christmas card and that was really good. It would be fairer on her to post some larger scale paintings that she’s taken more time over.

I’d be touched and thrilled to receive that card as a gift but I wouldn’t buy it. I imagine your daughter has done better work and will do still better, commercially viable, work in the future. Fantastic!

I hope they teach figurative drawing and painting techniques at A-Level and where she hopes to study. Not all places do. She could check if there are any live drawing classes near you, it’s hard but the best practice.

SadWench · 08/05/2024 08:39

It's really good and she is clearly talented but being blunt not good enough to sell professionally. Looks a bit off compared to a professional one.

fisherking1 · 08/05/2024 08:40

It is beautiful. Your DD is very talented. I would buy it and I am not a horsey person.

It has great depth to it and I feel emotion when I look at it. It is more than a pet portrait!

Original poster
themotherhoodproject · 08/05/2024 08:43

A mixed bag..

All comments appreciated though and I’m very aware she is still learning.

Im kicking myself for rushing her along now (I’d bought a bunch of flowers to go alongside said card and was very aware of the shelf date on them!!! 😅)

OP posts:
Minniemummy19 · 08/05/2024 08:43

I think it's brilliant, she should just give selling commissions a go. There's people on our local selling sites doing pet portraits they're really popular, and if she prices them realistically I think she'll do well. Try friends and family first? That's how I started my card making business and it grew from there.
Maybe her tutor can give advice too?
We all start somewhere , wishing her best of luck.