Selling a painting: how a novice artist can start making money from his work

The first thing to consider is sales platforms. Traditional art galleries and exhibitions remain important venues for promoting art. If you decide to go this route, contact local galleries with an offer to exhibit your works. Galleries may charge a commission on sales, but in return, they provide prestige and access to collectors who may be interested in your art.

Another option is participating in art fairs and art markets. In such places, you will have the opportunity to meet buyers in person and discuss your works with them. Personal exhibitions, especially at the beginning of your career, can also be beneficial. Organizing your own exhibition, for example, in a café or cultural center, can help attract attention and build your name.

However, modern artists are increasingly turning to online platforms. The internet has opened up significant opportunities for selling art, and many successful artists use it as their primary sales channel. Specialized art sites, such as Saatchi Art, Artsy, and Etsy, allow you to display your works for sale to both Ukrainian and international audiences. Selling through your own website or social networks, such as Instagram and Facebook, can also be effective. The key is to regularly update your pages, post high-quality photos of your artwork, and engage with your audience.

Selling paintings requires strategy. It is important to correctly assess your works. Pricing is an art in itself. Emerging artists should consider the cost of materials, the time spent creating the work, and current market prices. It is also crucial not to overlook self-presentation: high-quality photos of the paintings, interesting descriptions, and the story behind the work will help attract buyers’ attention. Don’t forget about promotion. Use social media, online advertising, and special art events to showcase your paintings.

Equally important is working with clients. Be open to communication, respond promptly to inquiries, and be ready to provide additional information or assistance. Loyal clients often return for new purchases and recommend the artist to their acquaintances.

Selling paintings abroad can be a significant step in advancing your career and expanding your audience. Start by finding international platforms, such as Saatchi Art and Artfinder, which can help you enter the global market. However, successful international sales require more than just listing your work on a website.

Special attention should be paid to packaging the painting to ensure it arrives at the buyer intact. Additionally, you need to understand customs regulations and taxes in the countries where you plan to send your works. For example, in Poland, Germany, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, unique artworks are usually exempt from customs duties, but VAT (from 19% to 27%) may need to be paid upon sale. In some cases, you will need additional documents, such as an invoice, certificate of authenticity, or customs declaration. These documents will help simplify the customs process and avoid delays.

Choosing a reliable courier service is also important. Companies such as DHL Express, UPS, FedEx, and TNT offer specialized art shipping services, including insurance and tracking. These services will ensure the safe delivery of your work to the buyer, minimizing the risk of damage.

Don’t forget about marketing. Successful international sales require consideration of cultural differences and buyer preferences in different countries. For example, one country might prefer vibrant abstractions, while another may value classic landscapes. Accordingly, you will need either to select paintings suitable for a specific market or to adapt the description and presentation of your works to better meet the expectations of the local audience.

In Ukraine, there are many opportunities for selling paintings. In major cities such as Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa, there are galleries, art centers, and cultural events that may be interested in your work.

Contact local galleries and art centers to see if they are willing to display your work. The most well-known is the “Ya Halereya” art gallery in Kyiv, which specializes in exhibitions of contemporary artists. There is also a branch in Lviv. In Odesa, you can reach out to the “Artodessa” art space, which provides exhibition spaces, including for emerging artists.

Participating in art fairs and markets is another way to find your audience. For example, in Dnipro, there is the Alley of Artists, where paintings are sold year-round, although outdoors. Spontaneous fairs are also organized during city holidays in parks and along the waterfront.

Social media remains a powerful tool for promoting and selling art, just as it does internationally.

Additionally, online platforms in Ukraine are actively developing, such as OLX and Crafta, where you can sell your paintings.

OLX is one of the largest online platforms for buying and selling goods in Ukraine. You can sell a wide variety of items here, including works of art. The advantages of OLX include a broad audience and an easy-to-use platform. For emerging artists, it can be a good starting point, as the platform allows you to quickly and affordably find potential buyers. However, it is important to note that OLX is not a specialized art site, so competition with other product categories may be high. 

In contrast to OLX, Crafta is specifically oriented towards creative individuals and their products, making it more suitable for artists. The platform provides a user-friendly interface for creating an online store where you can display your work, interact with buyers, and manage orders. 

If you create drawings rather than paintings, your sales opportunities may differ slightly:

1. Stock platforms. Websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and iStock allow you to sell digital copies of drawings. This is suitable for graphics, illustrations, and even hand-drawn sketches that can be digitized.
2. Specialized sites. Etsy and Redbubble allow you to sell drawings both as originals and as prints on various media – from posters to t-shirts and mugs.
3. Own website or blog. Creating a website where you can sell original works or their copies can also be a successful option under several conditions: high-quality content, regular updates, search engine optimization, established traffic channels, convenient payment and delivery methods, and active engagement with the audience.
4. Social media. For example, Instagram is often used by illustrators and artists to showcase and sell their work. You can also use YouTube to blog about your creativity, which can help attract an audience.

Each of these channels requires a specific approach and effort, but with the right strategy, you can find your audience and successfully monetize your creativity. The key is to actively promote your work and experiment with different platforms to understand what works best for you.

Selling paintings at auctions can be a significant milestone in an artist’s career. Auction houses such as Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Bonhams, or local Ukrainian auctions like “Goldens” or “Gelos” provide an opportunity to sell your work at a higher price, especially if it attracts interest from collectors.

However, participating in an auction requires preparation.

Firstly, the painting must be in perfect condition, so if necessary, carry out restoration or frame the work in a suitable manner.

Secondly, the documents confirming its authorship and authenticity must be in order. Auction houses often conduct their own valuation of the artworks before they are put up for auction, either independently or with the help of a hired expert. This helps determine the starting price of the piece.

Additionally, your painting may be included in the auction catalog, undergo a PR campaign, or be presented at preview exhibitions as part of the promotion strategy. 

Be prepared for the fact that the preparation process for the auction may take some time, but if successful, your efforts will be rewarded. Therefore, keep an eye on the bidding and be ready to finalize the deal if your work is sold.

In the art market, certain trends can help you navigate which works are in higher demand. Classics, such as works by renowned artists from the past, are always valuable. At the same time, contemporary and abstract works often resonate with a broader audience, especially among young collectors and interior designers. Landscapes, still lifes, and portraits also remain in demand, particularly if they are created in a unique technique and style.

The key for a beginner artist is to find their own voice and understand how their works can fit into current market trends. Create, experiment, and don’t be afraid to present your paintings to the world.