First Fine Arts Commission, What do I Charge?
Webslinger2300
I've been doing special effects sculpture and modelmaking for several
years. I make, on average between $40 and $60 per hour. I'll go down
to $20 for fun projects.
I was over at a producer's house with a piece that was commissioned
for an award. He fell in love with it and wants a sculpted pig. The
piece he saw was painted smooth-cast from a mold. I'm assuming he'd
like something similar.
He has a photo of a one-eared pig that he bonded with whom he mourns.
I have no idea what to charge him.
I'm used to the film industry, and having a steady pipeline of
producers who have significant budgets. I'm used to working hourly
with constant feedback.
This producer is not hugely wealthy. (documentaries) He has a lot of
art in his house, but it's not very high end. (I don't think.)
He says that he wants me to make a profit and has no idea of budget
for the piece.
I neither know nor understand the art market. I'm a bit intimidated.
I'm hesitating because I don't know how to charge him. I'd really like
to get this gig, but I don't want to starve myself.
Does anyone have any strategy to figure out what a collector is
willing to pay for a piece beforehand?
This is a realm and paradigm where I'm completely at sea.
For those of you who are used to this type of business, the answer is
probably obvious. I'd love to do this, but I don't have the financial
leeway to starve myself for it. My image of starting out in fine arts
involves starvation. Please tell me it's wrong.
Have a great day,
Lee
george graham
somewhere between the 'Fun' rate and your lowest hourly rate. Some things,
no doubt you have considered.
First, there are sure to be a stream of people (hopefully wealthy) passing
through his place. He is bound to show the piece off. This attention by word
of mouth, can't be purchased.
Second, He will know how much the commissioned piece cost, so knows about
how much you charge.
Third, if Slipcast or from a mould there is the opportunity for a limited
edition.
Fourth, a really nice piece could start him off collecting more of your work
In general, whilst $40-$60 per hour, seems a lot from here, it depends on
how many hours you work.
Lastly and probably the best advice, a well known furniture maker and
restorer of my aquaintance,uses the following factors, to assess how much
to charge. a).How far apart are the customers eyes and b.) Do they have
white carpets in their houses.
George
Gary Waller
"Webslinger2300" <Webslin...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:cb14adfa.0407...@posting.google.com...
> Hi There--
>
>> Does anyone have any strategy to figure out what a collector is
> willing to pay for a piece beforehand?
>
> This is a realm and paradigm where I'm completely at sea.
>
anything like that. You are just making a cool piece of kitsch, for a nice
man, - so its no different than if you were building a kitchen or fountain
for him. A drawing of what is needed - with important details like sizes,
materials and mountings (this is to help you estimate material costs too), a
finished price. 40% down payment, 50% when you deliver it, 10% on thirty day
holdback - for minor adjustments, touchups, gripes, etc. If you do consider
this 'fine art' - make sure you get some super high quality photos before
you deliver it, and make sure he knows you have the reproduction rights,
including the right to sell casts from the mold - don't ever, ever, give up
that mold, even though he insists he paid for it.
Now a super salesman in this type of work, when asked "How much is this
going to cost" - would answer "Nothing - it will cost you nothing". Once the
customer picks up his jaw from the floor you explain that you think this is
a highly commercial piece - if he pays the cost to make the model, mold and
first cast - then each piece sold after that he gets 10% - so after ten
pieces are sold - his piece is free. Rich people love this sort of game, you
can almost gaurantee he will sell ten himself to other businesses and
friends, etc. You could customize the pig's color to each customer. I assume
this would be made in fiberglass. How do think that ghastly plague of
handpainted fiberglass animals has spread throughout North American cities
and corporations? This is also gracefully gets you over the hurdle of the
right to resell casts from the mold. Just add 10% to the price.
If you do want to consider this the work of a fine artist - prepare for the
wrath of the critics.
Did anyone watch that 60 minutes interview with Thomas Kinkade last night?
Holy smokes, he has 400 employees, twelve of them are painters dabbing
painter like dabs on printed canvases - they sell for $1000 each. When he
goes on home shopping network, he claims he has sold over $1 million in one
hour. He even has a new housing development based on his cottages, cds,
clothing. But - the most financially successful "artist" of all time does
not even rate a blip on the critics map - except for the one who called his
work -'like a good cup of coffee - with 18 tablespoons of sugar added'.