timmundo
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September 2017
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Making an offer directly to artist...(how to?), by timmundo on Oct 17, 2020 2:15:28 GMT 1, Is there a best practice price range wise when contacting an artist directly, compared to prices of their art in galleries? Is there a window of percentage that may be discounted from gallery price? I'm sure there's no standard, and likely incredibly wide open, but I'd also like to avoid insulting or over offering. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Is there a best practice price range wise when contacting an artist directly, compared to prices of their art in galleries? Is there a window of percentage that may be discounted from gallery price? I'm sure there's no standard, and likely incredibly wide open, but I'd also like to avoid insulting or over offering. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
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timmundo
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September 2017
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Making an offer directly to artist...(how to?), by timmundo on Oct 17, 2020 2:46:17 GMT 1, Thanks! Appreciate the wisdom.
I was under the impression that artists received 50% of gallery prices (give or take of course), so a piece that is 10k in a gallery would net the artist 5k, leaving a possible discount of roughly 2-4k for buying direct. All the above is/was my pretzel logic assumptions.
Thanks! Appreciate the wisdom.
I was under the impression that artists received 50% of gallery prices (give or take of course), so a piece that is 10k in a gallery would net the artist 5k, leaving a possible discount of roughly 2-4k for buying direct. All the above is/was my pretzel logic assumptions.
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timmundo
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September 2017
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Making an offer directly to artist...(how to?), by timmundo on Oct 17, 2020 2:52:22 GMT 1, To be clear, I would inquire about a piece that was NOT with a gallery. My goal would be to contact the artist that I love, and pretty much ask if they had anything in their possession or "laying around" that they'd possibly part with.
To be clear, I would inquire about a piece that was NOT with a gallery. My goal would be to contact the artist that I love, and pretty much ask if they had anything in their possession or "laying around" that they'd possibly part with.
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Making an offer directly to artist...(how to?), by Jeezuz Jones Snr on Oct 17, 2020 3:32:51 GMT 1, No harm in bypassing the gallery, reach out to the artist direct and hopefully they get back and say 'let me check what's in my studio and I'll get back to you'. 👍 I have done this many years ago and got a small original for $700 whilst same size in gallery was $1200.
Good luck fella 👍
No harm in bypassing the gallery, reach out to the artist direct and hopefully they get back and say 'let me check what's in my studio and I'll get back to you'. 👍 I have done this many years ago and got a small original for $700 whilst same size in gallery was $1200.
Good luck fella 👍
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flatcolor
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April 2020
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Making an offer directly to artist...(how to?), by flatcolor on Oct 17, 2020 3:55:57 GMT 1, Heres some simple rules I follow, hope it helps.
I have commissioned pieces from various artists.
Sometimes I'll already own a print or something from them and I'll want to see if I can get an original piece, or maybe an older piece from a series I really liked of theirs.
Some artists have contracts with galleries, and all sales have to go through the gallery. Some artists play fast and loose with those rules, and some follow them strictly.
Always respectfully approach them(tell them what you like about their work, it makes it more personal, rather than just some transaction) Their time is valuable, and don't ever expect a discount, and if you do get one, be thankful, and never tell other people or brag about it online.
If they do anything extra for you, or throw something in on the purchase, and you feel compelled to post about it on social media, asking them if they mind if you do is a respectful thing to do, maybe they don't want to do that for everyone and by you posting about it it will blow up their spot.
Good luck
Heres some simple rules I follow, hope it helps.
I have commissioned pieces from various artists.
Sometimes I'll already own a print or something from them and I'll want to see if I can get an original piece, or maybe an older piece from a series I really liked of theirs.
Some artists have contracts with galleries, and all sales have to go through the gallery. Some artists play fast and loose with those rules, and some follow them strictly.
Always respectfully approach them(tell them what you like about their work, it makes it more personal, rather than just some transaction) Their time is valuable, and don't ever expect a discount, and if you do get one, be thankful, and never tell other people or brag about it online.
If they do anything extra for you, or throw something in on the purchase, and you feel compelled to post about it on social media, asking them if they mind if you do is a respectful thing to do, maybe they don't want to do that for everyone and by you posting about it it will blow up their spot.
Good luck
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gd79
Junior Member
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September 2015
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Making an offer directly to artist...(how to?), by gd79 on Oct 17, 2020 10:06:30 GMT 1, Heres some simple rules I follow, hope it helps. I have commissioned pieces from various artists. Sometimes I'll already own a print or something from them and I'll want to see if I can get an original piece, or maybe an older piece from a series I really liked of theirs. Some artists have contracts with galleries, and all sales have to go through the gallery. Some artists play fast and loose with those rules, and some follow them strictly. Always respectfully approach them(tell them what you like about their work, it makes it more personal, rather than just some transaction) Their time is valuable, and don't ever expect a discount, and if you do get one, be thankful, and never tell other people or brag about it online. If they do anything extra for you, or throw something in on the purchase, and you feel compelled to post about it on social media, asking them if they mind if you do is a respectful thing to do, maybe they don't want to do that for everyone and by you posting about it it will blow up their spot. Good luck
This is about the most sensible post I've read on here in months!
I've bought direct from artists frequently, mainly for photographs. This has ranged from images that they have put up on social media, but for whatever reason not printed, to advance purchases to help put a show together. In one case, the artist was with a gallery, and I purchased a very old print from before he was represented - but this is a grey area, and discretion is certainly advised if a gallery is involved.
You get a lot out of doing things this way. Even if I haven't been able to work something out, the artist has always been helpful, friendly and, dare I say, pleased. On one occasion, I had dinner with the artist and his family when I went to pick up the piece. It's far more rewarding that going to a gallery!
Would agree with the point on price as well. Ask how much it is, and either pay that or graciously decline. There's no room for a negotiation. Frequently you will find if you do purchase then they will throw in some extras (books, postcards etc)
I hope it goes well
Heres some simple rules I follow, hope it helps. I have commissioned pieces from various artists. Sometimes I'll already own a print or something from them and I'll want to see if I can get an original piece, or maybe an older piece from a series I really liked of theirs. Some artists have contracts with galleries, and all sales have to go through the gallery. Some artists play fast and loose with those rules, and some follow them strictly. Always respectfully approach them(tell them what you like about their work, it makes it more personal, rather than just some transaction) Their time is valuable, and don't ever expect a discount, and if you do get one, be thankful, and never tell other people or brag about it online. If they do anything extra for you, or throw something in on the purchase, and you feel compelled to post about it on social media, asking them if they mind if you do is a respectful thing to do, maybe they don't want to do that for everyone and by you posting about it it will blow up their spot. Good luck This is about the most sensible post I've read on here in months! I've bought direct from artists frequently, mainly for photographs. This has ranged from images that they have put up on social media, but for whatever reason not printed, to advance purchases to help put a show together. In one case, the artist was with a gallery, and I purchased a very old print from before he was represented - but this is a grey area, and discretion is certainly advised if a gallery is involved. You get a lot out of doing things this way. Even if I haven't been able to work something out, the artist has always been helpful, friendly and, dare I say, pleased. On one occasion, I had dinner with the artist and his family when I went to pick up the piece. It's far more rewarding that going to a gallery! Would agree with the point on price as well. Ask how much it is, and either pay that or graciously decline. There's no room for a negotiation. Frequently you will find if you do purchase then they will throw in some extras (books, postcards etc) I hope it goes well |
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pellets
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October 2018
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Making an offer directly to artist...(how to?), by pellets on Oct 17, 2020 10:17:11 GMT 1, I find it hard to act cool when chatting with artists, have to try my hardest not to be a lil fan boy. There is something surreal about it. At least for me, it might be different for people who are “in the biz”.
I find it hard to act cool when chatting with artists, have to try my hardest not to be a lil fan boy. There is something surreal about it. At least for me, it might be different for people who are “in the biz”.
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dotdot
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December 2006
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Making an offer directly to artist...(how to?), by dotdot on Oct 17, 2020 13:41:26 GMT 1, On the positive - artists generally do like to have feedback on their work and communication in general.
They do have to cover a lot of ground from idea to canvas with gallerists along the way.
Not all variables in the equation are always reliable however , a point which you always need to be aware of.
Gallerists / auction houses / sellers / and artist are people at the end of the day - and not all of them are your friends .. when things don't go as planned.
Their trust in you goes as far as money in their pocket and if it goes well a useful contact , friend or patron for the future.
Your trust in them goes further.... but that can go wrong when you part with your hard earned and see tumbleweeds for your effort so please be careful and do a bit of legwork on the artist , in this case , who your are keen to ... collect a work from.
Most of us have been a around the park a few times with all of the variables above - for the most part .. with good news - but sadly most of us also have had .. issues with people as well 
stay cool - keep your head and ... good luck.
..
On the positive - artists generally do like to have feedback on their work and communication in general. They do have to cover a lot of ground from idea to canvas with gallerists along the way. Not all variables in the equation are always reliable however , a point which you always need to be aware of. Gallerists / auction houses / sellers / and artist are people at the end of the day - and not all of them are your friends .. when things don't go as planned. Their trust in you goes as far as money in their pocket and if it goes well a useful contact , friend or patron for the future. Your trust in them goes further.... but that can go wrong when you part with your hard earned and see tumbleweeds for your effort so please be careful and do a bit of legwork on the artist , in this case , who your are keen to ... collect a work from. Most of us have been a around the park a few times with all of the variables above - for the most part .. with good news - but sadly most of us also have had .. issues with people as well stay cool - keep your head and ... good luck. .. |
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Raph
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August 2020
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Making an offer directly to artist...(how to?), by Raph on Oct 17, 2020 14:11:51 GMT 1, The % of the gallery will depend on the notoriety of the gallery/artist and several provisions of representation agreement (if exclusivity, if marketing campaign, if events, if legal assistance, etc.)
Sometimes artist are ok with direct deal even if they are under exclusivity, if it remains confidential (as they take the risk to breach their contract)
I think it is more common in street art due to the origin the art itself.
The % of the gallery will depend on the notoriety of the gallery/artist and several provisions of representation agreement (if exclusivity, if marketing campaign, if events, if legal assistance, etc.)
Sometimes artist are ok with direct deal even if they are under exclusivity, if it remains confidential (as they take the risk to breach their contract)
I think it is more common in street art due to the origin the art itself.
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sfnyc
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August 2017
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Making an offer directly to artist...(how to?), by sfnyc on Oct 17, 2020 17:35:43 GMT 1, Very good advice throughout. I would add that if an artist has good gallery representation and gives you similar prices than with his galleries, it is actually a good sign on the strength of his market and his professionalism. Artists giving big discounts from their gallery prices (more than the 10-15% that the galleries often give as well) can feel like great deals but also often mean the artist is probably not going to see great success during their living (ie: Why Richard Hambleton was dropped from many gallery representations and saw his market tank during his living until only recently).
Very good advice throughout. I would add that if an artist has good gallery representation and gives you similar prices than with his galleries, it is actually a good sign on the strength of his market and his professionalism. Artists giving big discounts from their gallery prices (more than the 10-15% that the galleries often give as well) can feel like great deals but also often mean the artist is probably not going to see great success during their living (ie: Why Richard Hambleton was dropped from many gallery representations and saw his market tank during his living until only recently).
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tab1
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September 2011
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Making an offer directly to artist...(how to?), by tab1 on Oct 17, 2020 20:45:38 GMT 1, Many artists if they are popular And are represented by galleries will not deal direct with a new client And will direct you to one of their representatives , this is from guidance from their managers as they want to achieve the next tier in pricings and hold market value , otherwise everyone would be going direct and as pointed out a few artists have ruined their own market by dealing direct and dropped by their representatives/ gallery , the galleries set and manipulate the market prices
Many artists if they are popular And are represented by galleries will not deal direct with a new client And will direct you to one of their representatives , this is from guidance from their managers as they want to achieve the next tier in pricings and hold market value , otherwise everyone would be going direct and as pointed out a few artists have ruined their own market by dealing direct and dropped by their representatives/ gallery , the galleries set and manipulate the market prices
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