I have problems selling my portraits. Can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong?

Question

Every time I try to sell an excellent piece of artwork, one or few of the following always happens:

1) I'll give a person a contact card, but I always get the famous line "I'll give you a call for sure!" They never call.
2) I try to advertise... I tried once in a newspaper... but I don't ever get any reply.
3) I show them off to few people, they absolutely love it, but never want to pay how much it's worth... i usually charge $65 or even $50, or they always broke.
4) I even tried few art stores, but no luck.
5) I posted them on the Internet, and had my sign-in name on messenger set to the link of the site, and told them they're for sale.
Then people say that I'm not trying to make any money and I'm just wasting my talent? As hard as I tried?

What am I doing wrong??

http://www.slide.com/s/FL4ja7Ve4T_ppKs_1rbhtpQdSJvSJNGm
That's one of my pieces.
http://www.slide.com/s/tssZ1_f81z-4li7jiaC0zZl3JNQIZLZkThat's another one.
Just in case u wanna see if I have skills or not

I AM NOT SELLING PORTRAITS OF STRANGERS TO PEOPLE... I DO OFFER TO DRAW THE PERSON I'M SELLING IT TO, THE LINK TO THE GIRL IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF MY DRAWINGS... WHICH I ALREADY SOLD.

Answer 1

Your form of artistic expression is often subjective to the person or subject represented in your works. If they feel no connection with the work, considering it is their likeness, they will not likely want to buy it, let alone hang it on their dining room wall. I don't mean this as an insult, you seem to be quite sensitive to criticism but you being offended will not help your work, which needs more polishing if you expect to sell them for profit. Drawing someone's likeness for tips like what is often seen in the city or during festivals is one thing, but $65 dollars for a drawn [not even painted] portrait of, me for example, is not something that I would pay for. No offense, I'm just keeping it real, perhaps if the truth hurts, you'll have your answer.

Since this is a photography questions and answers forum, perhaps you should just go buy a camera and use it to render someone's portrait, you may have more luck. Anyone with a camera can call themselves a photographer, and can even take a nice photo of, whatever. But you don't see very many people skilled in the art of drawing a person's likeness on the spot. You're pretty good, but not $65 good.

Your skills would be better punctuated by a bit more instruction in an art class or three. Just a bit of polish and you'll find that things may change for you.

Peace

Answer 2

You have talent, but its not professional yet.
I'm thinking you haven't had training yet and you found your abilities on your own.
Take a portfolio to an accredited art school or a college with a good fine arts department and see what they can work out for you in terms of financial assistance.
One thing I've noticed in terms of art sales, is that oils sell for more than watercolors, even if the watercolors are better. It looks like you are using pastel or crayons, neither of which are high ticket items for beginners.
You have the raw talent, but your perspective needs work classes will make a world of difference for you.

Answer 3

Selling art is not easy, you just have to take rejection in stride. One problem may be the subject matter. Why would someone want to buy a portrait of a stranger?

Try creating many different types of drawings and continue to look for avenues to sell them.

Good Luck

Answer 4

Nice work, especially the portraits. Have you tried exhibiting your work, say, in your neighborhood? You might be able to locate a private or public entity, such as a hosptital, who will
offer "wall space" for free to an aspiring artist. Call the person
in charge of public relations and ask if they offer this
service to the general public. I know some institutions do.

Answer 5

MAYBE YOU SHOULD BUY A CAMERA! If no one wants to buy your stuff, it might be a hint. If they are giving you the old brush off, you might get the idea they really don't care for your drawings. If I knew you personally and liked you, I'd be short of cash too when you tried to foist this stuff on me. As I don't know you, I am not impressed by the work you cited and wouldn't pay a dime for it. Some hobbies are for personal satisfaction and not for milking friends and family for cash.

Answer 6

Chip Tsao might have failed to realize how Chinese men are treated outside their territory. They might be superior to other races in China, but status-quo reverses once they step foot on foreign land. Chinese people are stereotyped in the Philippines as stingy people, dwelling on the sin of avarice. They are portrayed as people that would never lend money to others, no matter what the reason. Also, they are stereotyped to secure only their financial benefits. Possibly, one good stereotype is that Chinese men are exceptionally good in business management. Of course, I'm not saying that all Chinese people are like those (I don't want to be like Mr. Tsao). What I've just sited are common stereotypes and prejudisms on Chinese people in the Philippines, which Mr. Tsao might have not realized before writting such racist remarks against the humble Filipino people. He must have thought that Filipino people are too humble to react to whatever he has to say to them.

Answer 7

I think they look unprofessional.
You have talent, but I would suggest you study art and practice a lot. Art skills don't come easy. Good luck.

Answer 8

theyre beautiful put i think the portraits arent selling because who wants a portrait of somebody else in their house.how about this,offer people to send pictures and you'll draw a portrait of them.to get rid of your current portraits try selling it to the person u did it of

Answer 9

wow, your pictures are amazing..I dont see why people wouldn't want to buy them. i dont see anything your doing wrong.

Answer 10

you do a terrible job on eyes.