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Original poster

Could I get to a point where I could sell?

51 replies

pinkflask · 30/05/2022 21:48

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.

Could I get to a point where I could sell?
Could I get to a point where I could sell?
Could I get to a point where I could sell?
OP posts:
JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 30/05/2022 22:13

No sorry. I know many talented artists, and see more on the art fair circuit. Very few make any kind of living from it, even though they appear successful, and have huge talent.

My family member has won national awards, been featured in magazines and books and worked with a publisher. Most years they don't earn enough to pay tax despite working long hours and rarely taking time off.

The ones that make a living are often a marketing or sales professional first or have a family member who is. Alternatively they get lucky with a publisher and work extremely hard to cultivate a long term working relationship with them.

If you enjoy it try joining the UK colour pencil society and entering a few of their exhibitions. You can sell the work through them if it is selected and you will get an idea of the standard. They are a pretty easy to break into group, much more accessible than the Royal Societies.

WooNoodle · 30/05/2022 22:14

I prefer your first portrait to your last ones but you're very talented that's just my personal preference.

Flumpsrus · 30/05/2022 22:14

The one of the lady reading is in a different league to the others. The child on the floor is good, a little more depth particularly on the face would be good. As an art teacher, I know what you mean about a GCSE style! It tends to be lack of depth and leaning too heavily that gives that ‘look’.

Pinkflask · 30/05/2022 22:20

@Flumpsrus - the child on the floor is the first full portrait I did and I definitely can see how I’d do it differently another time round - it needs a bit more depth of colour/shading I think but I feel like I really move on every time I do another picture!

@JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon i know I’d never make enough to live off - my partner is a documentary photographer who is published, has had many commissions, works commercially etc and can’t make enough money to live on from it so I’m really familiar with the professional art world and it’s something I don’t have the talent or patience for. But I think I could maybe make a bit of cash from a hobby which is a fine ambition surely?

Johnnysgirl · 30/05/2022 22:22

But I think I could maybe make a bit of cash from a hobby which is a fine ambition surely?
Of course. Don't let anyone put you off, your stuff is good.

saliwales2022 · 30/05/2022 22:22

You are very talented.

ladygindiva · 30/05/2022 22:24

I think you're really good. As pp says, very much look like book illustrations. I live in Cornwall, loads of absolutely crap art sells here, yours is tons better.

Flumpsrus · 30/05/2022 22:24

You’re doing well! I think the main difference between the lady and child ones which I think are far superior, is that they are much looser in style which is a far more sophisticated look as opposed to a more blocked, coloured in look.

Agree, that commissions would be the way forward. You can advertise on Etsy. Good luck!

easyday · 30/05/2022 22:25

Agree with you I don't think the watercolour is not great but you seem to have captured the portraits. If that's what you enjoy try doing a few of those.

Trixiefirecracker · 30/05/2022 22:25

I work in this world and there’s a huge amount of very talented people which means a lot of competition. It’s extremely hard to make a living out of it. Not trying to put you off but just the reality.

Lougle · 30/05/2022 22:27

The lady reading a book is very 'court artist' style - I always admire how they can capture the mood and essence of a person. I love it.

Original poster
pinkflask · 30/05/2022 22:30

Is it worth me persisting with the watercolour? I mean I’ll do more anyway just for the sake of it but is it likely I’d get better? I’ll definitely do more portraits whatever as I like those the most.

OP posts:
JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 30/05/2022 22:35

Pinkflask · 30/05/2022 22:20

@Flumpsrus - the child on the floor is the first full portrait I did and I definitely can see how I’d do it differently another time round - it needs a bit more depth of colour/shading I think but I feel like I really move on every time I do another picture!

@JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon i know I’d never make enough to live off - my partner is a documentary photographer who is published, has had many commissions, works commercially etc and can’t make enough money to live on from it so I’m really familiar with the professional art world and it’s something I don’t have the talent or patience for. But I think I could maybe make a bit of cash from a hobby which is a fine ambition surely?

Well work out your costs, and a proper hourly rate (minimum wage as a minimum) and see if people will pay it. Don't devalue your work by selling it at an undervalue.

Many people will say that you should sell your work but they have no idea of the costs and are thinking they would pay a tenner.

Flumpsrus · 30/05/2022 22:43

pinkflask · 30/05/2022 22:30

Is it worth me persisting with the watercolour? I mean I’ll do more anyway just for the sake of it but is it likely I’d get better? I’ll definitely do more portraits whatever as I like those the most.

Watercolours are meant to be loose and ‘watery’ in style. You’ve used them more like you would acrylic or oil. Check out some YouTube vids.

wtfisgoingonhere21 · 30/05/2022 22:46

@pinkflask

Agreeing with all the other posters here.

Your talent is amazing

I could see your work in childrens book illustration and greetings cards etc.

It would definitely sell

Oceanus · 30/05/2022 22:57

I think they're really nice and I can see you making money. You could paint people's pets and kids using a picture, I can see a lot of people being interested in that.

Strawberriesaregreat · 30/05/2022 23:14

The girl in the first set is lovely. I was also going to suggest pet portraits but I see that's not your thing.

Pinkflask · 31/05/2022 07:17

@Flumpsrus ah, I’ve never actually used acrylics! I was sitting with the watercolours because my DD wants to do her Brownie painting badge 😀 but I’m maybe not the best teacher of technique as it turns out…!

WooNoodle · 31/05/2022 08:17

Strawberriesaregreat · 30/05/2022 23:14

The girl in the first set is lovely. I was also going to suggest pet portraits but I see that's not your thing.

Is it a girl? I like that one but thought it was an older lady.

Pinkflask · 31/05/2022 08:30

It is a girl! You’ll have to take my word for it that I think it’s quite a good likeness but it’s the pose I guess that makes her look older.

PuppyMonkey · 31/05/2022 08:37

My sister has quite a good business going now selling her art, she has a bit of a following and her own website etc. She started off on a site called Deviant Art - might be worth you checking it out OP?

cottagegardenflower · 10/06/2022 14:02

Try custom portraits on Etsy. It's a very crowded platform but very cheap to start a shop.

cottagegardenflower · 10/06/2022 14:06

I started on Etsy simply to practice my work and hence charged very low rates. It's just a hobby and I do it for fun and my style and competence has really grown. I now work with an American photographer of babies and families and really enjoy it. Still charge peanuts but I'm sure she charges around £100+ for the work I do

3beesinmybonnet · 10/06/2022 14:39

Everything improves with practice including painting watercolours.
I suggest you have a look at Etsy to see what the competition are doing. Check how many sales they've had in the years they've been open rather than just the price they're hoping to sell for.
I would say to be a successful artist you need your own style which comes with practice and you need to actively sell your work ie regular updates on social media.
Good luck!

Amelanchier · 30/12/2022 08:54

Try following Bonny Snowdon on Facebook, she regularly posts her older work against more recent work and she runs an online training too. It demonstrates what is possible with coloured pencils. I think that your style is illustrative and commercial but as others have said it is a crowded market. If you want to create more realistic work then I would suggest seeing more complexity in colours and depth of tone. Following artists on instagram can be helpful - for realistic coloured pencil work suggest jennifermorrisonart, natalieobergart, clairemilliganartist.