Position:Home>Visual Arts> How do you deal with commissions for 'repeats' of your paintings?
Question: How do you deal with commissions for 'repeats' of your paintings!?
I'm an artist, but a very "new" one (i!.e!. new to exhibiting work), and I've already got a few requests for commissions!.!.!.!.
Which is good because it means some people like my stuff, but here's the trouble: They come to the exhibition (all watercolours), see a sold painting, and ask me "Can you repeat this for me!? I want the same one"!.!.!.!.
I hate this!. I don't want to 'repeat' and copy my own work!. I paint and I sell, and move on to new stuff!. I do love commissions for new projects (just not OLD ones)!.
I also feel that making "copies" (not talking prints, but actual hand-copies work) devalues the original (first) painting, and waters down the whole idea behind it!.
How do other artists feel about requests for repeats!? Do you consider these requests normal and a perfectly fine part of an artists life!? Or not!? Am I being way too fussy over this!?
Any input appreciated!.!.!. I'm still finding my feet with all of this!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I agree a high quality slide or scan or digital photo of each and every painting is a necessity!. That way you have options when it comes to selling reproductions of your work!. I do not think selling a limited number of reproductions devalues you work, because I actually think it can accommodate many who can not INITIALLY afford an original !. !. !. but may someday!
When I have been asked for an "exact copy original" I just tell my potential customers I don't do that!. I tell them some of my works may be part of a series of similar images, but that, as an artist, when I am finished with a painting I move on!. Some people even paint many versions of one painting!. !. !. I have done this!. If the one they wanted was sold, I would offer the others, as original 'sibling' pieces to the sold work!. An artist is not to ever compromise creativity and principles, or I am afraid his work might suffer!.
I had this happen once, and I had a framed print all ready for sale!. I had a set price, which of course was much less than the original!. The buyer balked and I explained what I have here, only to learn that "so-and-so" artist did this for them in the past!. I do NOT want to be in the same category of artist as one who will just "knock out" copies for a living!. So I say stand your ground !. !. !. and you have lots of company and support!Www@QuestionHome@Com
If you feel that making copies of your work "devalues the original painting," then, follow your heart and don't make copies!. I think most artists would agree with you!.
Personally, I have no problem making an exact copy of one of my paintings for a customer!. Perhaps it is because I come from a commercial art (graphic design) background, but a commissioned copy is just easy money to me!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Even if you don't get any prints made, get a high quality scan of your best pictures before you try to sell them!. Then if several people want one you can have giclee prints made from the scan!. You don't have to have a large number of them printed!.
Painting the same thing over and over is just boring!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
You can ask them if they want something similar but never paint a copy of a sold piece!. If word gets around, and trust me it would, it will hurt you in the long run!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
im also a fellow artist and do commissioned work and have my first exhibition next month, i have always stuck to the 'one off' and orignals only!! i did it once!.!.!.painting for a family member and someone saw it when i had finished and asked if i'd do the same for his wife!. i did and hated it!! so havent done since!. stand your ground and state you do not do copies!! that person who buys your 'orignal' would be upset to know someone else has the same! you can always do prints on a smaller scale but the orignal must be the only one for value!.
hope this helpsWww@QuestionHome@Com