What's a reasonable price for a graphite portrait?

Question

Is $70 a good price for a 17x20 portrait, including the mat? What about an 11x14 picture? Should the price of a picture go up with size, since it uses more materials, or down with size, since it's easier to make things bigger than smaller?

I'm not looking to buy a portrait... I make them and just want to know how much I should charge.

Answer 1

Price depends less on size than on quality. If you understand the medium, and can render well, and have done so for a long time, you can set a higher price. The amount of graphite Piscasso used vs the amount Rembrant used differs but the price fetched for either's work more than anything derives from demand. So, ask as much as the market will bear. Underpirce and the perceived value of your work will suffer a long time...ask too much and no one will buy. Images by other means (camera, Xerox...) are very cheap...but from an established artist..they are priceless.

Answer 2

I have been drawing and painting portraits for years now. I charge $40-$50 for a pencil portrait, no frame/mat, depending on size. I charge more for larger, less for smaller, not because of material cost but because detail increases/ decreases depending on size (and detail determines time spent on portrait). I'd say you're getting a reasonable deal if the artist is good. Good luck!

Answer 3

We have a lot of art festivals around here. It does seem to be priced by the square foot. Typically about $75 per square foot I'd say, but it ranges from like $30 to $100.

Answer 4

By working out an hourly rate that covers your time and costs – include materials, rent and all living expenses, then make an estimate of how many hours work there will be. If this is for a friend or a relative seriously consider doing it as a freebie – the costs frequently outweigh the relationship.