any good portrait painters in north lincs?

I'm going to stick my neck out and that you really do get what you pay for. If you want a quick sketch that someone has whizzed of in a few hours then you will be able to get something cheap.

If you want something that will hold a lifetime of memories for you and be a last tribute - then you need to pay someone an appropriate amount. There are some amazing artists on here - but equally there are some truly terrible ones.

Art can be a very subjective thing when it comes down to what you like and what you don't like - but it's not that subjective when it comes to a lifelike technique and an ability to accurately represent the shape and movement of the animal. Those are learned skills and they don't come easily.

Please don't devalue the skills and hard work of our excellent artists by saying that they shouldn't charge enough to earn a living wage - there are few enough people willing to put the hours in to learn their craft.

I was lucky enough to get Laura to do a commission for me when she was learning and I have watched with great pleasure as her skills and abilities grow with every painting.

OP - If you have the money, invest in something that will be a lifelong treasure - choose an artist that speaks to you and give them the best original photo you have to work from. You will not regret it.
 
Just typed a whole long reply and it lost it!!

Kristmaskatt, I did say in my post that I was not aiming that at anyone on this thread, but I have read now countless times on forums etc from other artists that you get what you pay for, and that is such a sweeping statement. I do appreciate you all saying that does not necessarily include new artists.

I totally agree with all that has been said above, but just wanted to explain how disheartened it makes me feel as someone starting out - surely everyone has to start somewhere. All my current expenditure comes out of my own pocket, and I have asked OH to pay for me to join the SEA as a Xmas present this year. So I was not, and do not wish to start a debate, but I was trying to get across that there are some genuine cheaper artists out there right now and we are not all bad! I do it for the love of it, and honestly I must be mad - I work full time, I commute an hour fifteen each way to work, get up at 5am to do my horses and then do an hour or two in the evenings, and most of my weekend on my art, simply because I love doing it and want to one day be able to do it as my main profession.
 
alsxx - have you joined any art forums? They are such a HUGE help when starting out and believe me, you're not alone. I can highly recommend the Pet Portrait Forum for anyone who wants help and advice about the business side of things, wants someone to help with a painting/drawing, just need to chat to someone. That forum helped me enormously, especially as when I started out very part time about 10 years ago, juggling full time job etc, those sort of forums didn't exist and I struggled on on my own making mistake after mistake until the internet became bigger and more available and the pet portrait forum was a life saver! Go check it out as it's a very friendly place. :)
 
alsxx said:
Just typed a whole long reply and it lost it!!

Kristmaskatt, I did say in my post that I was not aiming that at anyone on this thread, but I have read now countless times on forums etc from other artists that you get what you pay for, and that is such a sweeping statement. I do appreciate you all saying that does not necessarily include new artists.

I totally agree with all that has been said above, but just wanted to explain how disheartened it makes me feel as someone starting out - surely everyone has to start somewhere. All my current expenditure comes out of my own pocket, and I have asked OH to pay for me to join the SEA as a Xmas present this year. So I was not, and do not wish to start a debate, but I was trying to get across that there are some genuine cheaper artists out there right now and we are not all bad! I do it for the love of it, and honestly I must be mad - I work full time, I commute an hour fifteen each way to work, get up at 5am to do my horses and then do an hour or two in the evenings, and most of my weekend on my art, simply because I love doing it and want to one day be able to do it as my main profession.
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I think most pro artists have been where you are! Before I met him DH used to draw during the day after working a night shift and also worked part time on a yard (good for getting commissions by word of mouth). When we were first living together he was working a full time job 5am - 2pm, and drawing when he got home, using all his holidays to go to shows.

He was only recently able to give up his "day job" but that makes you more aware of how much you need to charge to make any kind of profit. And how uncertain it can all be, you need to be able to make enough in the good times (the run up to christmas!) to sustain you in the bad times.

I know you are only starting out but do make a point of really working out what it costs you to do portraits and charging a rate that covers all your expenses. There really is very little point doing it at a loss, you may as well keep it as a nice hobby and save yourself some stress! Most people appreciate the value and skill involved and are prepared to pay a market rate, don't undersell yourself!

Oh and there is a very good book from the fine art trade guild that is worth buying, it is called "An artists guide to selling their work" or something similar.

Do not fall into the trap of lowering the quality of your product to sell cheap either. There will always be someone cheaper, compete on quality not price, poor quality products will only result in you getting a bad name for yourself so make sure mounting framing and reproductions are of a quality you want to be associated with. It makes me cringe when I see artists selling prints run off a home printer (they aren't light fast and will look terrible very quickly - giclee prints aren't that expensive) in badly cut mounts with no backboard.

Good Luck, and talk to other artists whenever you see them at shows and exhibitions, most of them are friendly and supportive to each other and keen to avoid others repeating their mistakes!
 
I've just become a member of the IEA, but will check that one out too! Thanks! x

Edited to add, thanks KK, some great advise (prints off of a printer, really?! :eek:) and also nice to hear I am not the first (and probably won't be the last) to do stupid hours to fit it all in!! :D
 
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TheBlackMoth said:
I'm going to stick my neck out and that you really do get what you pay for. If you want a quick sketch that someone has whizzed of in a few hours then you will be able to get something cheap.

If you want something that will hold a lifetime of memories for you and be a last tribute - then you need to pay someone an appropriate amount. There are some amazing artists on here - but equally there are some truly terrible ones.

Art can be a very subjective thing when it comes down to what you like and what you don't like - but it's not that subjective when it comes to a lifelike technique and an ability to accurately represent the shape and movement of the animal. Those are learned skills and they don't come easily.

Please don't devalue the skills and hard work of our excellent artists by saying that they shouldn't charge enough to earn a living wage - there are few enough people willing to put the hours in to learn their craft.

I was lucky enough to get Laura to do a commission for me when she was learning and I have watched with great pleasure as her skills and abilities grow with every painting.

OP - If you have the money, invest in something that will be a lifelong treasure - choose an artist that speaks to you and give them the best original photo you have to work from. You will not regret it.
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Agree with every point here :)

We are lucky enough to have two of Laura's amazing works of art in our house, and they are very much treasured and appreciated :)
 
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