Could I get to a point where I could sell?

[pinkflask]

So I’ve been working on some coloured pencil pictures recently and today my first ever completed watercolour. I think they’re ok; I know they’re not great but hopefully don’t smack too strongly of complete amateur. Anyway a friend of mine says “you’re going to make money doing this” every time I show him my stuff - but friends do say things like that! I don’t think there are sellable…but does it looks like I’d be able to work up to a point where my stuff will sell? It’s not the be all and end all but it would certainly be nice to have an enjoyable side hustle.

The 3rd one might make a nice generic greetings card.

Oh I think you would be a great illustrator for books etc!!

Love the kingfisher and the pic of the woman is really well done - I like your style

I think they're lovely.

I think you're a portraitist! First stands out to me.

I certainly think so, I like your style.

I love the first one. Well done! I agree, you would make a great portrait artist.

If you do local landscapes I reckon you could. I live near the coast and often buy from local artists. My favourite one is of Tenby harbour. You can see its not perfect but its still beautiful.

I think you are more likely to make money if you offer commissioned work. Children and pets would be a good start.

I really prefer portraits but the watercolour landscape has been really popular when I showed it to people 🤷‍♀️ I thought it was a bit GCSE!

Here are a couple more portraits in pencil.

I looked expecting to cringe like I usually do at these threads 😬 but I love them!

My friend said I should do pets but I’m really
not into drawing dogs or horses so that’s a bit of a non-starter!

I like the portraits

Can you do dogs and horses , there would probably be a market doing peoples pets .

Portraits may be the best way of making money?

X post there !

Thank you, @Runningnewbie - the trouble is you dont know if you’re one of the cringe people without realising it when it’s your own work! Of course people I know will be nice about it but I just can’t tell if they’re good or just good “for me” if that makes sense.

Make a website, offer to do commissions from photos?.Portraits, houses (I'd pay for a portrait of mine), bits of garden...

The child in the bubble bath is lovely, really original.

Well they are lovely and you are v talented so now you need to find your market. It could be as an illustrator or on commission or produce your own range. You need to do some research or get some good professional advice (outside of your friend).

The portraits are great!

@Ikeameatballs the bath one is my favourite one so far. I was actually considering entering it in a competition/open exhibition but again I worry that I’m just overly fond of my own work!

As well as being the first watercolour I’ve ever competed the landscape is also the first finished landscape I’ve ever done. So I think it’s ok from that point of view. Parts of it are not great!

The portraits are the best! Really lovely!
The rest lacks some character.

The bath one is wonderful OP!

@Timide - interesting you say that as I thought the kingfisher was very meh. Stiff and dull. But I tried it because I always see people drawing birds and I like birds! But it’s not really my style.

The portraits are strong (assuming they are a good likeness).

Landscapes are generally quite difficult to sell as there is so much competition.