So I’m gonna be posting this on the acrylic painting subreddit, entrepreneur subreddit, and the small business one, because I have a small business in creating acrylic painting pieces for my Etsy shop. So, I sell my original acrylic paintings on Etsy. I do all different kinds, whatever speaks to me that day I guess, from landscapes, to cartoons, to festive art. And sometimes my family offers to buy one, or suggests I do a specific painting for them. Almost every single time I’ve done it for a family member, they’ve lowballed me.
For example, I created a very intricate piece for my father of a snowy scene, a church in the background, a truck driving by, trees everywhere, and tons of tiny little details that he SPECIFICALLY asked for. This is the biggest, and most detailed piece I’ve ever done for somebody, and it’s a commission. So I put my all into this piece, it took me 3-4 days and lots of material. When I messaged him and told him the piece was finished and sent him a photo he immediately called me. His words were something along the lines of, “Hi hunny, just let me know how much you’re charging me for it, I know you won’t charge me out my ass because I’m your dad.” And then continues on with “How much do you usually charge for your paintings?” That’s when I began telling him how it depends, because it’s my biggest canvas, (not huge but still my biggest canvas at 11x14.) has lots of little detail, and it took me 4 days. He then replied asking me if “40-45 dollars is good.” No, that’s not good. For what I’ve created, I would ask a random stranger for around 65-70. & My father is not the only family member to do so. It’s so extremely hard for me to sell to my family when this is what they do everytime. They somehow make me feel bad for charging what I believe my time, material, effort, and money is worth. And it fucking sucks. Am I alone?
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You are not clearly asking for what you deserve and you’re not saying clear expectations for your family in the first place. He should’ve known the price before you started doing any of the work. If you’re going to do something and then later be resentful because they wanted the friends and family discount without knowing the original cost, How does that serve you? This is a little of a strange example, but I have a philosophy when it comes to loaning money, I don’t do it. I give money away and any money I give away, I never expect back.
Either give them the art from the bottom of your heart and not feel bad about it or charge them the full amount by being clear about the cost in advance. Friends and family are always going to assume that your talents will cost them less than a stranger. You don’t have to accept that, but you do have to be clear about your expectations in advance.
Sounds like they’re taking advantage of you as opposed to supporting you. Tell them the price is the price, or they can go to another shop and buy something else.
Or you can also just say, 4 days = 32 hours. 32hours x your hourly wage say $30/hr for skilled work!, and that’s what you should charge. At 60-70 your paintings are a steal.
As an entrepreneur you need to stand up for yourself and your work. Know your worth.
I don’t sell to family or friends. I’m a video editor. If they need video, and I’m available, I’ll do it for free. It’s a gift. If materials are needed, they pay for the materials, but my work is free.
As for your case… we’re talking about a 20 bucks difference here. Why wouldn’t you give your own father a $20 discount vs a random stranger? I wouldn’t feel right even asking for it.
Now, they shouldn’t take advantage, obviously, and a good parent would be the first to insist to pay. But I just wouldn’t take it, I don’t sell to family.
Yes, exactly this. Don’t sell to family on a personal level. If they work at a company and the company wants to commission a piece, fine. But if it’s coming out of their pocket, either don’t charge family or don’t do it at all.
Wait… you are complaining about 20 bucks difference when it’s for a family member? Your own dad? I figured you would be charging at least over 100 for these. This is hilarious.
You’re talking about less than $2/hour for your work. This isn’t a small business. It’s volunteer work. There’s basically no difference between what your dad offered and what you expected.
5x the price of your art at least. If it doesn’t sell then you’re not an artist and you shouldn’t be charging family for your work.
No matter what business you own, people won’t always want to pay you full price.
You’ve identified this is an issue with your family, so it’s up to you to put appropriate boundaries in place. Less a business issue than a relationship one. And the boundaries will start with you agreeing on price before you agree to do the work.
Example
Dad: I’d like you to do a huge snowy scene that looks exactly like our downtown.
You: Sounds great! That’s a lot of detail work, will take me about 4 days to complete. I can do it for $X.
Then dad can either agree or not. But all this should be taking place before you start work since you already know there’s commonly a disagreement about what your work is worth.
Always quote the price up front. The time to argue price is before you start, not after you finish. If you haven’t started and they are trying to lowball you, that’s your opportunity to walk away.
So…
- Always confirm price before doing the work. Family, friends, strangers, doesn’t matter, always agree before you lift a finger.
- Your family have no idea what art is worth, let alone what yours is worth. You shouldn’t expect them to. I also paint and although I don’t do it as a business, I occasionally sell some of my pieces just to clear space. I literally just list them on fb marketplace and say ‘make me an offer’. I’ve sold A3 paintings for £1 and I sold an a4 once for £200. Art is extremely subjective. It’s foolish to assume your family will have a clue.
- Twenty bucks difference isn’t a big deal. If I was in the same situation I would have made that concession for my dad, but I also wouldn’t have got in that situation, I’d have confirmed price before (see point 1.)
- Family are the worst customers. Always. My business is a marketing agency, as a part of that I get asked if I can build a website now and then. I’ve built websites for free for family and friends who asked for more than my clients who pay thousands. Now when someone asks about a website, I recommend Wix. No one values your skillset less than the people who were around when you wear shitting your pants and getting it wiped for you. Family will never perceive you as the professional you want to be. It’s not even them being mean, it’s just natural.
- Rule of diminishing returns. If you’d spent two days less on that piece, your dad still would have said 40-45 dollars, because the tiny details that make it just right to an artist are the things most common people don’t care about. His price wasn’t reflective of your skillset, probably just a guess from a man who doesn’t much value art and thought he was being nice.
For 4 days of work you should charge hundreds of dollars!
Stop selling to your friends and family. Get an intermediary or a website or something and give them a coupon code for a discount if you like.
Jesus, a one off custom of that size? $150 easy.
where can I see your work online ?
Lol just say “nope but 65 is and I’d charge 100 for anyone else” then he knows how you value your work, you get the price you want and he feels like he’s getting a deal