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Are art gallery prices negotiable : The art of bargaining

Blog Posts

When it comes to art pieces in art galleries, there’s the official price. And then there’s the price most people pay. Negotiation art gallery prices can be useful or a deal breaker, therefore art gallery prices are negotiable.

So, how are art gallery prices negotiable? In fact, bargaining is not only allowed, it is expected, a fact not widely known. It’s okay to negotiate a discount, therefore the size of the discount can depend on a range of conditions.

The art of bargaining is actually a clever move. Therefore is more complex than what looks like. So, we’re going to be reviewing how galleries price artworks, what you should know before requesting a discount and some tips in order to maximize your discount success. Art gallery prices are negotiable but … there are limits.

How art galleries price artworks

Are art gallery prices negotiable

First, you should understand what galleries are actually making off the artwork they sell. Most commercial galleries have a general structure that splits the proceeds 50/50 with the artists. So if a piece is priced at 1,000€, the gallery gets 500€ of that, the artist gets 500€. Out of that 500€, the gallery is paying its rent, employees, bills, advertising fees, printing costs (as mailing cards, labels, vinyl lettering, and price lists for each exhibition), as well as miscellaneous expenses like umpteen boxes of wine for openings and events. That split portion is what funds everything. Many galleries have no other source of revenue besides half of the price of artwork sale.

So, if you try to ask for half off, there is no way that you are going to get it. Not even 40 percent or 30 percent, probably. It’s just not feasible for the gallery to do that if they are going to stay afloat. So I’d say, if you’re buying something big, the best you can do is negotiate a 10 or 5 percent discount — which on some pieces can be a serious chunk of change.

Many good-hearted galleries will not take the discount out of the artist’s portion, so it is likely all coming out of the gallery’s potential profit.

Galleries ultimately want to make the sell; they want you to buy something. And maybe more in the future. So negotiating is good for them. But understand that they truly cannot give discounts like a flea market. They didn’t buy the art for dirt cheap and there are a lot of mouths to feed on each sale, so to speak.

What to know before start negotiating

Are art gallery prices negotiable negotiation

There are some points that you should know in order to maximize your successful discount. As everything in life you need to be prepared. Bargaining is a skill, and the more you practice the better you will get at it.

Find out the Price

According to their in-house policies, some galleries only share pricing information upon request and do not publicly list prices.If you are interested in one of these works, contact the gallery and ask for a quote.

Additional Costs

The full price of an artwork will go beyond the quoted price, as shipping, framing, installation, taxes, and insurance are all additional expenses. Before you start negotiating, you can ask whether the gallery would be willing to cover any of these added costs. At the very least, you will want to get an estimate for what these additional expenses might be.

Negotiating

The best time to initiate a price negotiation is after you have expressed to the gallery that you are really interested in the work and would like to purchase it. Consider approaching the subject by asking: “Is there a collector discount?” or “Is the price negotiable?” Galleries expect buyers to push back on price, so do not hesitate to ask. The standard discount is between 5% and 15%, depending on the overall price of the work and the gallery policy.

Galleries will be more willing to give you a discount if it seems like it would speed along your purchasing decision. However, galleries rarely offer discounts on artworks under $1,000, and some do not offer discounts to new clients.

Consider a Payment Plan

Some galleries can provide a payment plan, enabling you to pay for the piece in several instalments. You can simply ask : “Is there any way I can pay in instalments?” Note that in most cases you can only take possession of the work once it is paid in full.

Be Aware: Most galleries will not give you a discount and agree to a payment plan—you will probably have to choose one or the other.

After the sale, you can ask the gallery to let you know if other works by the artist become available or if they have an exciting upcoming show in your area. Galleries are more likely to give exclusive access and discounts to their most loyal clients.

Now that you have a better sense of distribution, I hope you understand why the prices often appear high. Not to mention, in most galleries in our region, artwork isn’t exactly flying off the racks. Many galleries do well, but people aren’t lining up to buy work on a daily basis. It’s a lot of work on the gallery’s end; each sale is very important and some buyers can take a lot of time to actually commit to a purchase (months, years).

So, if the 5-to-10-percent discount puts the artwork in your budget — meaning you wouldn’t buy it otherwise — absolutely, try to negotiate. However, if you’re looking for a seriously deep markdown, I’d recommend trying to find another work by that artist that’s within your price range, or just keep saving up for the piece you really want.

Conclusion

  • Before you start the negotiation, ensure that the other party is fully empowered to make binding commitments
  • Have a Strategy
  • Do not disclose your budget or other limitations in your negotiating position
  • Always have something to give away without hurting your negotiating position
  • An offer is more than just a dollar amount. It must encompass all of the elements of the bargain and will normally comprise the basis for a contract that formalizes the agreement

If you want to learn how to negotiate follow this practical guide: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/203168

If you want to know more about how art collectors get better deals check out article: https://marianacustodio.com/do-art-collectors-actually-need-curators/

Why does Pop Art Use Such Bright Colors?

General

Pop art is probably the most well-known artistic movement of the 20th century. Fueled by consumerism, mass media and popular culture, pop art can be easily recognized by its bright colors, defined line works and some kind of iconic element used as the main subject.

So, why does pop art uses such bright colors? Pop Art emerged in the mid-1950’s, and became popular when Great depression and World war II ended. Due to what was happening in that point of time new generation artists wanted something new. Pop art used bright colors highly because of its ability to grab the attention quickly.

The use of bright colors to catch attention is actually a clever move. Therefore is more complex than what looks like. So, we’re going to be reviewing what pop art is, how it started, principal artists and the complex side of the bright colours.

What is Pop Art ?

Pop Art is a movement that emerged in the mid-20th century. It is characterised by simple, everyday imagery, and vibrant block colours. This movement aimed to solidify the idea that art can draw from any source, and that no hierarchy could disrupt this. The bright colour schemes also enabled this form of avant-garde art to emphasise certain elements in contemporary culture.

Pop Art helped to narrow the division between the commercial arts and the fine arts. It was the first Post-Modernist movement (where medium is as important as the message) as well as the first school of art to reflect the power of film and television, from which many of its most famous images acquired their celebrity. Common sources of Pop iconography were; advertisements, consumer product packaging, photos of film-stars, pop-stars and other celebrities, and comic strips. Famous Artists of this movement include, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

History of Pop Art

Pop-Art emerged in both New York and London during the mid-1950s becoming the dominant avant-garde style until the late 1960s. In the United States, pop art was a response by artists. They used impersonal, mundane reality, irony, and parody to “defuse” the personal symbolism and “painterly looseness” of abstract expressionism.

By contrast, the origins of pop art in post-War Britain, while employing irony and parody, were more academic. Britain focused on the paradoxical imagery of American pop culture as powerful, manipulative symbolic devices that were affecting whole patterns of life. Fuelled by American popular culture when viewed from afar, early pop art in Britain was a matter of ideas. Similarly, Pop art was both an extension and a repudiation of Dadaism.While pop art and Dadaism explored some of the same subjects, pop art replaced the destructive, satirical, and anarchic impulses of the Dada movement with a detached affirmation of the artfacts of mass culture.

Bright Colours and Pop Art

Advertisers began using pop art highly because of its ability to grab the attention quickly. It does so because it uses bright and vivid colors. You should take a look at some of the famous pieces of pop-art and you will see the extensive use of bright colors. In total, the ability of pop art to connect with the viewer makes it one of the most powerful media in the modern world. Whether you want to boost customers or master art, you’ll be able to do so with the help of pop art.

The Color Whell

The Color Wheel is a visual representation of the spectrum of color. It consists of twelve warm and cool hues (Hue is the word used to describe a pure color) and visually describes the relationship between them.

colour wheel
Colour Wheel

Pop art and color

Primary Colors (red, yellow and blue) are the three hues that cannot be mixed or formed by any combination of other colors. All other colors are created from combining these three hues. Those colours are highly present in the works of Roy Lichtenstein, and is due to them that his works stand out so much.

Primary Color Weel and Oh, Jeff… I Love You, Too… But… by Roy Lichtenstein Picture by Gautier Poupeau

Secondary Colors (green, orange and violet) are the colors that are form by mixing the primary colors. These colors are also highly present in the Pop Art movement as we can see in the image bellow.

Andy Warhol - Two Marilyns,
Andy Warhol – Two Marilyns, 1962. Acrylic, silkscreen and pencil on linen (1928-1987) Broad Collection Picture by rocor

What makes pop art stand out?

The main inspirations of pop art are regular items we use in our day-to-day lives. A water bottle, tumbler, mobile phone, anything could be an inspiration for an artist of this genre. The motive is to connect with the viewer on a fundamental level. When a person sees an item he or she uses regularly, he is able to relate with the image quickly.

The context of the image / recognizable imagery:

The context is the most important part of an image. The most attractive feature of these images is the unusual context and object used. This was the chief reason behind the success and huge popularity of this art form. It’s also the reason why it is so popular in the current world. So while creating a piece of pop art, you’d be placing a regular item of daily use in an unconventional place. Some of the most successful artists who performed this task skillfully were Jasper Johns and Andy Warhol. 

Combining humor with art:

Irony and satire are two of the most important aspects of this art form. One combines a usual item with an unconventional setting. To display a unique connection, you’ll have to use satire or irony. It will make the artwork more attractive and sensible. Otherwise, it’d be too difficult for the viewer to interpret the artwork properly. Apart from that, as pop art has become popular in advertising, you can see a large number of examples in this field. Advertisers use wit and humor in these artworks to ensure that the viewer admires it considerably and remember the message of the art too. 

Using colors that strike attention

Pop art is characterized by vibrant, bright colors. Primary colors red, yellow, and blue were prominent pigments that appeared in many famous works, particularly in Roy Lichtenstein’s body of work.

Innovative techniques

Many Pop artists engaged in printmaking processes, which enabled them to quickly reproduce images in large quantities. Andy Warhol used silkscreen printing, a process through which ink is transferred onto paper or canvas through a mesh screen with a stencil. Roy Lichtenstein used lithography, or printing from a metal plate or stone, to achieve his signature visual style. Pop artists often took imagery from other areas of mainstream culture and incorporated it into their artworks, either altered or in its original form. This type of Appropriation art often worked hand in hand with repetition to break down the separation between high art and low art, which made the distinction between advertising and media from fine art.

Mixed media and collage

Pop artists often blended materials and utilized a variety of different types of media. Like Robert Rauschenberg, whose works anticipated the Pop art movement, artists Tom Wesselmann and Richard Hamilton combined seemingly disparate images into a single canvas to create a thoroughly modern form of narrative.

Conclusion:

  • Pop Art emerged in the mid-1950’s, and became popular when Great depression and World war II ended;
  • Pop art used bright colors highly because of its ability to grab the attention quickly;
  • The bright colour schemes also enabled this form of avant-garde art to emphasise certain elements in contemporary culture;
  • Advertisers began using pop art highly because of its ability to grab the attention quickly;
  • Primary Colors are highly present in the works of Roy Lichtenstein;

Why Do Artists Make Self-Portraits (and what we learn from them)

Blog Posts, General

Self-portraits aren’t new in the art world, actually it is thanks to the self-portrait ‘culture’ that the selfie exists. In a way, self-portraits are actually the oldest version of the selfie.But, why do artists make self-portraits? What is actually self-portrait? What can we learn from artists?

A self-portrait is a representation of an artist created by that artist. Thought history self-portraits have been made in every medium imaginable – photographs, paintings, drawings, sculptures etc. Therefore, while with painting the artist is free to represent anything his or her mind can imagine, with photography artists need to be more ‘realistic’.

Once a self-portrait is more complex than it looks, we’re going to explain it deeper. From history to what we can learn from artists about self-portraits, we will cover the best topics of this area.

What’s the difference between an portrait and a self-portrait?

Portrait

Portraiture is a very old art form born on ancient Egypt, where it flourished from about 5,000 years ago. During that times, before the invention of photography, the only way to record the appearance of someone was through painting, sculpture or drawing. Portrait was created in order to represent a person/ someone, in which the face and its expression is predominant.

Self-Portrait

Artists’ self-portraits are an interesting sub-group of portraits. Although self-portraits have been made since the earliest times, it is not until the Early Renaissance ( mid-15th century ) that artists can be frequently identified depicting themselves as either the main subject, or as important characters in their work. A self-portrait is basically a representation of an artist about himself that does not necessarily needs to be representational. The artist his free to draw himself in any style, in order to represent his psychological/emotional features, in the piece.

Rembrandt self-portraits are particularly famous.

Rembrandt van Rijn Self-Portrait, 1636.
Rembrandt van Rijn
Self-Portrait, 1636. Oil on panel (1606-1669) Norton Simon Museum Picture by: rocor

In conclusion, while a portrait refers to any painting that represents a human figure, a self-portrait refers to a painting that represents the artist that produced it, with his own ‘style’.

The 3 main ways to tell the difference between a self-portrait and a portrait

Title Artists will often identify their self-portraits as such
Action A self-portrait will often depict the artist at work in the process of painting his or her own image
Context The artist’s subject matter may cue the viewer to the identity and character of his or her self-image.   

Self-Portrait vs Selfie

Selfies and painted self-portraits share many similarities. Both selfies and self-portraits are forms of self-representation using different technology. While smartphones and cameras are types of technology, mirrors and painting are other types. Nowadays, everybody takes selfies, maybe we don’t think about but they represent our personal sense or self in that moment.

So what is the difference?

While Self-portraits are created to be read as art, selfies are born of photography practices. It is dangerous to read selfies in the same way as art, to ignore the context of their social interaction and the intent of the selfie-taker. In a contemporary perspective the selfie can be considered the evolution of the self portrait. Therefore, majority of people in the indrustry doesn’t have a consensus about it.

Why do artists make self-portraits?

Throughout history, self-portraiture has remained a tried and true practice between artists. Historically, in fact, artists used self-portraits as a kind of calling card, attesting to their ability to capture a likeness and giving a sense of their capabilities. And, yes, self-portraits are convenient exercises because the model is always available and works for free. But a self-portrait can evoke and reveal much more when taken beyond the bounds of straightforward exercise.

Practice

Self portraits help artists practice. The more an artist can practice the best.  The human form is a pretty complex subject to tackle, so the more practice, the better.

A Convenient Model

It’s common for artists to draw from life, which means using models. Hired models can be pricy, and that expense can add up, so drawing from life by looking in a mirror is a lot cheaper. Also, making self portraits is really convenient – you can always pose for yourself whenever you want to, while hiring models or having someone pose for you means you’ll have to figure out scheduling.

To explore themes and ideas in their artwork

Self portraits can also be used for a series exploring various compositions with underlying meaning, such as the exploration of the artist’s self.

Record the artist’s self

Self portraits can also be used to record the way the artist looked at the time the portrait was made.

To Demand Their Place in Art History

Why Do Artists Make Self-Portraits
Adelaide Labille – Guiard Self-Portrait with two pupils, 1785 Pic by: Rodney

Probably you don’t know, but during renaissance era, being an artist wasn’t an option for a woman. This catchphrase demonstrates the popularity of self-portrait but, at the time reveals the inherent gender inequality. At the time, women couldn’t take life-drawing classes. As an way to suprass this problem woman started practicing on her friends or even themselves

What can we learn from them ?

As we can observe before, artists have experimented with painting themselves long long time ago. Therefore, it’s funny to see that even being in the smartphone era, with over 93 million selfies taken daily, self-portraits remain an important part of many artist’s creative process. Why never fell out of fashion, and what can we learn from this process?

Self-portraits can motivate testing and learning

Anyhow, self-portraiture provides a safe place to play and experiment with new techniques. When you’re alone, you have all the time in the world and can work without deadlines and without being judged. Early sketches and test shoots can be make privatly allowing artists to experimenting privatly and learning from that process.

Self-portraiture can unlock the imagination or provide an escape

Artists aren’t normal people (in the good sense), and obviously they have a better imagination that any other person that you will ever meet. Some artists like to represent themselves in different styles, color ranges, moods, as a way to scape ‘reality’ in order to expand their imagination and creativity.

Self-portraits can foster self-acceptance

It’s well know that when some people hear their voice recorded they feel like isn’t their real voice. That is because your sense of self is different from the others sense of self toward us. While self portraying ourselves can be scaring, can also help us to acept our imagine and to see our best features that probably we never realised before.

Self-portraits can remind us of our origins

If you, for example, are a foreigner in other country and have different features, drawing yourself over and over again will make you remind about your roots each time you draw. This way, you will be more connected with your roots and even use it as a strength among others.

Self-portraits can help us to connect with others

The way that artists portrait themselves can inspire others. Once artists use their imagination and ideas in order to create anything the connection process is always present. This way artists that take risks or are somehow more creatives can inspire and connect others.

Conclusion

As human beings we like to be remember, otherwise self-portraits wouldn’t be a thing since the Egyptians. Therefore, even with the human evolution self-portraits never went off fashion, and that means something. As an art advisor I’m always fascinated from the way that artists think. They always have different perspectives about the world, otherwise they wouldn’t be artists.

In conclusion we can learn that self-portraits are much more than self portraits for artists. Self portraits are like a seed that develops over time, in this case in a skill. A skill that can motivate, can foster self-esteem, can reminds us of our origins or even help us to connect with others.

Sources :

Artists Explain Why They Paint Self-Portraits

Why Female Artists Have Used the Self-Portrait to Demand Their Place in Art History

Universal Principles of Depicting Oneself across the Centuries: From Renaissance Self-Portraits to Selfie-Photographs

If you liked this article and want to know more check our previous article about prints : https://marianacustodio.com/ever-wonder-why-artists-make-prints-this-is-why/

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