It's one of the most common questions I hear, and one my husband and I discuss - Why does an original painting cost what it does?
It's a fair question, and I love answering it. When you see a price tag on a canvas, you're not just paying for paint. You're paying for hours, years, and a whole life of noticing that ended up on that surface. Let me pull back the curtain a bit.
So, how much does an original painting cost?
The honest answer: it depends. The price of an original painting is subjective to the artist, the size, and the subject, and to whether it's a commission (commissions are usually more expensive.) Some emerging artists, including me, charge $1 to $2.00 per square inch. I've met other artists who charge up to $8 per square inch. For a 16x20 painting, that's anywhere from about $320 to $2,560.
What makes the price go up or down
• Size: many artists price by the square inch, so bigger paintings cost more.
• The artist's experience: years of practice, training, and reputation all factor in.
• Commission or ready-made: a custom piece painted just for you usually costs more.
• How the painting is built: is it on cotton canvas or linen? Is the surface triple primed? These details make a painting archival.
That last point matters more than most people realize. A fine artist wants a painting to be archival, built to last for years, even your whole lifetime, if it's well cared for. Quality materials and careful preparation are part of what you're paying for.
My best advice: just ask
If you love a piece, reach out to the artist and inquire. I recently practiced what I preach. I saw a painting on Instagram that I loved so much, because it reminded me of one of our wedding pictures. I talked to my husband, and we commissioned the artist to paint one of our favorite wedding photos. And yes, I'm paying for it in three payments!
What goes into a painting
Long before a brush touches canvas, there's the source. I spend more time on this than you'd think: finding the right color story, the right details, and a composition that works. I'm also thinking about you, not just about what I want to paint, but about what will move the person who lives with it.
Then comes the painting itself. I start every piece in watercolor, seal it, and then build it up in oil, layer after layer. Oil takes a good while to dry, so I work in a series, almost like a little production line. I'll lay in a background on one piece, hang it on the wall to dry, then move to the next, and the next, and the next.
Right now I have about 10 paintings in my current series. I've been working on them for about two months, and they're finally getting close. All those layers take time, and that time is part of what you're bringing home.
How I price my originals
I price my original paintings by the square inch, currently $1.50 per square inch. That means a 9x12 painting is $162, and a 16x20 is $480. Pricing by size keeps things simple and fair, so you always know what to expect.
I'll be honest: I've been gently scolded by fellow artists for charging so little. But I believe original art should be within reach for more people, not just a few. That belief matters more to me than a bigger price tag.
A little secret: you can make payments
I know buying art is a real expense. Here's something most people don't realize: many artists, including me, are happy to take payments. A common arrangement is a third down, a third later, and the final third after that. I hold on to the painting until it's paid in full, and then it's yours.
If a payment plan would help you bring home a piece you love, just reach out. I'm glad to work it out with you.
More affordable ways to start living with art
If an original isn't in the budget right now, you still have lovely options.
• Prints: I'm so excited to announce that my prints go live this week! They're a beautiful way to bring a piece you love into your home.
• Smaller paintings: a smaller original is still a real, one-of-a-kind painting. I'm working on several 12x12 pieces right now, which at my current rate are $216 each.
• My card club: each month, I mail members greeting cards featuring my paintings, along with a recipe card and a personal note from me. They're meant to be sent, but two members have already told me they're going to frame theirs! You can join through the link at PotterFineArt.com.
Why living with real art is worth it
As a young married, I hung whatever I could find, because blank walls just aren't home-y. I didn't know then what I know now: living with real, original art changes a room. I know a painting is just paint and canvas, but it almost has a heartbeat. It catches you and draws you back, again and again.
As I write this, there's a little hummingbird I painted a few years ago hanging near me. I can't tell you how often I notice it. Every time I do, it stirs up thoughts and feelings, because it means something to me.
One collector bought a painting from me online, and when it arrived, she wrote to tell me it made her cry. She loved how beautifully it was wrapped (which thrilled me, because I love a beautiful package). But mostly, she said the meaning in the piece spoke to her heart just the way she'd hoped. Reading her words gave me goosebumps.
That's what you're really investing in. The world can feel divided, harsh, and even cruel. I believe we all need more beauty and joy surrounding us at home. If you've never lived with original art, I hope you'll give it a try. Once you do, I think you'll never want to go back. ( Here's another post about a little piece we brought home from Italy. )
Browse my current originals at PotterFineArt.com, or send me a note to ask about a payment plan.
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