Is DD’s art work good enough to sell.

[themotherhoodproject]

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?

It’s not great, but it’s not terrible. It looks like a quick sketch painting though, so I’m surprised to hear you say this took 6 hours - there’s no depth or detail to it.

If she does want to take things further with painting, some anatomical drawing and speed sketching classes may be of benefit.

I think your daughter has great potential. If you look at someone like Bonny Snowdon on social media, she often posts her work now compared to her work a few years ago just to show the level of improvement that can be achieved with practice. I think your daughter is at that earlier stage but there’s no reason she can’t become good enough to sell her work if she continues.

Six hours at £11 (minimum) an hour, so £66.plus paints, equipment, etc £100?

It’s a good painting, but not quite sure whether it’s up to pet portrait standard yet.

A relative has done this and developed a card business. However, during lock down, every Tom , Dick and Garry have done the same.

As well as going into local shops, there’s been alot social media plugging etc.

I know a self taught artist who was probably at this stage at a similar age. Now some years later her art is truly amazing. So your daughter has a talent which she should continue to work at, the potential is there.

This is what I mean…

Sorry for all the blunt posters OP. 'Mumsnet' is not a very nurturing place more like a pit of vipers!

Many of the greatest artists in the world struggle with horse anatomy. Your DD has great potential. Ignore the naysayers. :)

Probably 50-100 for a pet portrait. She might get a few. It's better than I or most of us could do but it's not amazing.

A friend of mine advertised her son as doing pet portraits and as soon as he got some commissions (through his mother’s friends) he dug his heels in and completely refused to do it. I think it was too much too soon.

Your daughter is really good but it needs to come from her with gentle encouragement from her parents. Monetising a hobby can really wreck it for a person.

it needs to come from her with gentle encouragement from her parents. Monetising a hobby can really wreck it for a person.

I said similar earlier in the thread and completely agree with this. There's nothing in any of the OPs posts that suggest her DD wants to sell her work. It really would be a shame to ruin any enjoyment she gets from her hobby, especially for the sake of a few £15 sales.

OK, I will be honest but fair - that ok?
I think it's a very good painting, but it's not an amazing painting.
I think that she has a really good eye and potential, but as pp said, she needs to perhaps need to add a little more depth - it definitely looks 3D but could look even more 3D with a bit more colour blending and some details.
If she wants to pursue this then a little more practice is required but there is most definitely skill there! As for selling it, well it really depends on the market - tbh some average paintings seem to sell whereas better ones don't! She needs to price it reasonably however she also needs not to undervalue her work - I wouldn't buy this painting (not a horse fan) but if I was buying something created by a young artist I'd want to know I was paying them a fair price for their time/materials etc. If she loves doing it then she'll want to practice, maybe even see if there are any classes in the area because a good encouraging teacher can make all the difference in the little details!
OK, I hope I haven't offended you/her - trying to be honest.

I think it's a brilliant painting!

I think people are being a bit mean. If someone is paying £15 for a picture they are not expecting it to be done by a professional.

She's a very good painter but I think in the end she should do what she loves the most.

Is she any good at anything like caricatures? Sometimes people can earn money that way in holiday areas.

I was an art teacher for 25 years in the best art department in the city.

It’s Ok. But not brilliant. Too much use of black ( we didn’t allow the use of black in any natural type painting). The proportions are ok but it lacks highlights. Looks a bit flat, and there’s no background. Not sure what the yellow thing is.

l’ve had much better from y12.

I thinks it’s more that she’s been badly taught than lacks talent. I have a friend who paints horses for a living. She was on Sky arts animal portraits artist of the year.

She’s phenomenal

Sorry😬

No sadly I wouldn't. It's lacking detail.

It's really lovely. What a pleasing painting. It has a gorgeous illustrative quality to it (what a beautiful soul that horse has!)

She has a very sympathetic and gentle style, perfect for portraying pets!

Yes, she's really talented. I think making money from it would be tricky as she would never be able to charge what it really cost her in time. However, based on this example, she is certainly capable of offering commissions if she wants to give it a go. Why not?

I would happily have one done of my dog! I think it's lovely.

Were you always so blunt with your students?
I agree with your points re details/needing to be less flat, but was there any need for the 'seen better' comment? Of course there will always 'be better' but that doesn't always need to be said!

Yeah we were.

That’s why we got amazing results.

You sound like the art teacher that killed my confidence and passion for it.

Sure.
You tell yourself that you were doing them a favour.
Why do nasty people become teachers?

Well we had massive take up at A level and massive results. So l guess that’s your problem.

Just used to ask them what they thought they could improve. And then suggest more.

Exactly.
They might have got good results from some students but I bet they crushed a fair few with equal potential.
Of course honesty is important, but there are ways of being honest and kind at the same time!

Gotta love MN. The kids loved me😂

So you weren't actually as blunt as you initially indicated