Although commission fees differ from gallery to gallery, the industry norm often ranges between 40 and 50 percent of the sale price. This implies that the gallery will keep $400–500 as a commission if you sell an artwork for $1,000. Although this may seem like a significant portion of your earnings, it’s vital to keep in mind that galleries offer valuable services like marketing, advertising, and showcasing your artwork to a larger audience.
There are many online marketplaces where you can sell your artwork, including Etsy, Saatchi Art, and Artfinder. Although every one of these websites has a different commission arrangement, they typically retain between 10% and 30% of the selling price. Reaching a larger audience is an advantage of selling online, but it’s vital to keep in mind that you’ll need to market and promote your art yourself. Online art sales can be difficult, especially for emerging artists. You’ll need to establish a credible online identity and advertise your artwork on social media and other internet platforms. Selling online, however, may be a terrific method to establish your brand and market your art to a worldwide audience provided you’re ready to put in the effort.
One advantage of selling through a gallery is that they manage every element of the transaction, including determining how much to charge for your artwork. It’s vital to take into account a number of elements when setting your art’s price for the first time, such as the price of the materials, the time and work required to create the piece, and the level of demand for your particular artistic style in the market. Pricing your artwork at roughly two to three times the cost of materials is a reasonable general rule of thumb.
Finally, even though art galleries charge a commission of about 40–50% of the purchase price, they also offer crucial services like marketing and promotion. There are many websites that you can choose from to sell your artwork online, each with a different commission rate. Although it can be difficult, selling online is a terrific method to reach a larger audience. Consider the cost of supplies, your time and effort, as well as the demand for your particular type of art when setting your first price for your artwork.
You might start by doing some research and networking inside the art community to discover a reputable art agent. To network with other artists and gallery owners who can offer recommendations, go to art fairs, exhibitions, and artist presentations. Additionally, you can look up art agencies online and examine their credentials, previous clientele, and areas of specialization. It’s critical to select an art agent with a solid reputation, who shares your artistic philosophy, and who has expertise in the genre of work you produce.