Working as a portrait artists and looking for ways to promote your artwork. With all the recent call for arts focusing on people / portrait style art, we thought it useful to write a handy guide for our users. Below are tips by one of our artists that portrait artists can use to help them get ahead. Hopefully these tips can help your promote your portraiture artwork.
- Focus on a specific style when promoting your portraiture artwork.
There are numerous mediums to choose from – from acrylic, oil, watercolor, graphite and many others. Choose one that encompasses the majority of your art. There are also just as many styles, from abstract, to realistic as well as and subjects including, celebrity, friends or people you don’t even know, so stick with one well suited to you that you are comfortable with and want to pursue and promote.
- Have your own style.
It will if you are continually recognized for a certain style and medium. There are many artists working in portrait art; having a distinct style will help set you apart from others and become more recognizable.
- Find a public spot to work.
Many people are fascinated by and love watching artists work. Finding a public space to do your art can help bring some attention to you and your art, and perhaps a few commissions. Take the opportunity to talk with the people who come up to you and network. You will have an unending source of subject matter while you wait to strike up conversation with the next person.
This may not be for everyone and does take some people skills. More than likely you will not finish whatever piece you plan to work on. This is more of a marketing opportunity than time to actually paint.
- Fairs and festivals.
If public spaces don’t bother you too much, working at local fairs, exhibits or even festivals can help bring a much larger crowd, and more opportunity your way.
This is better for those who can work fast, and handle large crowds in noisy places. A booth also allows opportunity to sell current artwork that you have available as well.
- Work appropriately.
Depending on the venue, work in appropriate dimensions. Most people buying art on public grounds or at a fair may prefer to have something that can be framed, whereas those commission something may want something larger, perhaps in standard canvas sizes 11×14, 18×24, and 24×36 (non affiliate link Michael’s)
- Have paperwork.
Depending on the art buyer, they may request one or not but it’s good to be prepared. For commissions, having a contract available that has the size of the work, due date, price, and anything else that may be included (such as shipping, hanging, framing). For non-commissions, or portrait art sold, a bill of sale may be helpful.
Collect contact info when possible, and follow-up with your buyers.
Many artists charge an upfront deposit when doing commissioned artwork. It may depend on the scope of the project and overall price of the commissioned art work. You may not want to charge a deposit for a something that you are only charging a small amount for. It is helpful for clients who change their mind, or are unable to pay the artwork when the commission is complete. It is an unpleasant experience, but at the very least, you will have a portion of it to help recoup losses.
- Have a portfolio or samples readily available
Having a physical or online portfolio will help potential interested art buyers to view your work before committing to a purchase. It will also help with your marketing as well as you may reach new potential purchasers.
Depending on the circumstance, you may need a release to showcase artwork depicting a person or a commissioned piece.
You can further promote yourself and your site, through social media.
- Market yourself directly on your art.
Contact information whether on the back of the canvas, or a business card with your art can help both past and potential new buyers interested in your artwork be able to contact you. If you have a portfolio online, having a contact form or an email associated with your website proves just as useful as a way to be contacted.
- Target specific venues.
Many artists are easily allured by participating in every possible venue, gallery or exhibit possible. Artists who specialize in caricatures probably have a difficult time marketing to individuals who want wedding photo art portraits done. As with the very first thing on this list, choose venues, galleries and exhibits that showcase other artists working in your medium, price point and style.
- Collaborate
If you’re still finding a hard time getting your art out there, try working with others.