Selling your finished work

[Sambaman]

Well boys and girls, I thought I might poke around and get some info from all you veterens about if/how you go about selling your finished work.

Do you, or would you sell your work at all?
How do you determine what price a piece will have?
Is it based on the cost of the figure?
Is it based on the amount of time you have in it?
Is it based on the "emotional" attachment you have to it?
Do you think your personal experience or "perceived" experience should influence the price?
If you have won awards for a particular piece, does that influence the price?
Would the fact that a piece is the "box art" for a particular release influence the price?
Does it depend on whether a piece is "out of production" or not?
That should be a good start, or, are there other factors you consider?

I thought this might make an interesting thread and I would like to see what other painters or sculptors consider when selling their work! Thanks for your time everyone!

BTW, is there an old thread someone can direct me to that has discussed this in the past?

Jay H.
OKC

 

[vergilius]

since I'm not that long in the business/hobby, nobody asked me yet to sell a figure ( ) so I wouldn't know how much to ask for one. I don't even know if I could seperate with my 'children'.
The cost of the figure would be a very important factor for me and possible prices won (I've got one golden medalist ! ( ).
I wouldn't base the price on emotional attachement since the price would than contain several digits.

 

[megroot]

I had once the change to sell a figure. The person asked me to sell it for about $ 350.
Because it was my first figure where i was satisfied with (at that time) i refused to sell. After that one incident i had never the possibility to sell. Now i know it was stupid to sell it not. I good paint that figure 10 time's for that price.
Upon the price, well, what is the cost for the figure, base etc. i think $ 350 will be a good price. As i see the price's from Andrea miniatures it is not so much.

marc

 

[John Long]

Jay,

You have to decide how much it would take for you to part with it. I started selling my work a few years ago. I found out real quick that collectors are no dummys. They will inevitably pick your best work to purchase. My wife would often lament that I was selling my best stuff. Well, I don't have room to keep all of them. Don't undersell yourself. I have a price in my head that I use for a benchmark depending on the amount of work involved. Some subjects are more collectible than others. Whether or not the kit was the boxart probably doesn't make any difference. Of course original work sells for more than a painted kit. You should consider the cost of the kit in the sale price, but it probably won't have that much bearing on the final number.

 

[btavis]

Do you, or would you sell your work at all?

I would sell everything I do. They are dust collectors to me

How do you determine what price a piece will have?

Completely subjective and what the market will bear.

Is it based on the cost of the figure?

Obviously you want to sell it for a profit including the cost of all materials.

Is it based on the amount of time you have in it?

I make less than minimum wage if that were a consideration.

Is it based on the "emotional" attachment you have to it?

No.

Do you think your personal experience or "perceived" experience should influence the price?

Not sure what this means.

If you have won awards for a particular piece, does that influence the price?

Not really. I have sold silver medal pieces and have gold medal pieces still sitting on the shelf.

Would the fact that a piece is the "box art" for a particular release influence the price?

It might but I doubt it.

Does it depend on whether a piece is "out of production" or not?

Not really.

That should be a good start, or, are there other factors you consider?

It depends on what you want from the hobby/art form. I sell because I can and it helps pay for materials and going to shows. I have no illusions about it being more than it is. Plus like John said I don't have room to keep all of this stuff nor do I really want to. I enjoy the process and once a piece is done so am I.

 

[Anders Heintz]

Good topic to discuss!!

John and Bob brought up some great points. I think John nailed it when he said dont sell your self short. There is nothing worse then when you sell a piece, then a few days later you regret it because the money value was not as great as the 'emotional' value.

I think that the box art, cost of the kit, time investied in project etc plays little to no role in the price. The main factor of a piece is what the collector thinks about the finished product, I dont think how you got there matters (except in your own perception of what that process is worth to you).

Ofcourse, being a recognized artist whos work have been featured in magazines/covers will help you to price your product, supply and demand is in work here!!

As a ball park figure, since your a bust man, I would say a fair price is between $350-$450 for a stock painted bust, but thats just what my idea of a fair price is. Yours may very well be different.

 

[thegoodsgt]

The primary factor that hasn't been mentioned is how good a painter you are. Without any object means of quantifying one's skill, all you can do is look to the medals that you consistently receive at contests (assuming you compete in them).

If you're a bronze medalist, I'd guess that a figure or bust could get around $150-300.

If you're a silver medalist, you're probably in the $300-400 league.

If you're a gold medalist, the sky is the limit. There are some fat cats out there who will pay good money for figures, particularly if they're scratchbuilt or the subject matter highly desirable (such as Napleonics and anything with intricate patterns or designs).

The first step is putting a business card or sign in front of your display at contest.

 

[Sambaman]

Do you think your personal experience or "perceived" experience should influence the price?

Not sure what this means.

I guess I'm suggesting that if you are an "old hat" at this figure painting thing, you've been active with the hobby and/or shows for several years, does that garner more value in your work? Maybe I'm thinking more of a name recognition thing. Does that make sense? Not really in the "Horran" type of recognition, but just someone who has been around and is maybe considered a "name" in the hobby.

Jay H.
OKC

 

[John Long]

Jay, I'd say that experience doesn't matter nearly as much as reputation. Not just in the quality of the work, but can you deliver on a commission, and how you are to deal with.

 

[Sambaman]

Good point John. Thanks to all who have offered insignt. I don't read any real surprises as far as answers go. I had a couple of my first experiences with potential buyers recently and wondered if they were typical or not, and whether or not my response was typical or not. I haven't sold any yet, but I tend to side with Vergilius, I am a bit attached to some and parting would be such sweet sorrow. I guess I don't have enough finished pieces, or possibly don't have enough years under my belt to consider them "dust collectors" yet. Although, Bob, I do agree it's much more about the journey, and less about the destination! thanks again guys!

Jay H.
OKC

 

[btavis]

I am not sure how much reputation has on selling except in so far as people know your work quite well and perhaps like it for that reason. If you sell stock figures that are painted then anyone can see it for what it is reputation or not. The first figure I sold was a 1/35th figure and no one knew who I was. The guy who bought just liked it regardless.

If you are doing commissions of stock figures then having a reputation for being dependable and able to produce quality works is definitely in your favor. If you are doing scratch work on commission then reputation is probably the only way you will get those opportunities. However, most collectors I have met are very flexible in both understanding the time it takes to make these things and the commensurate pricing. I have never gotten burned although when I painted stock figures I have had some commissions I just dreaded doing but did them for the money. The problem I had with that is that it turned it into a job and took some of the enjoyment out.

My thoughts are this, if you are a good painter/modeler and go to shows people will buy your stuff if they are impressed with it. Once you sell a few you will get the hang of it.

 

[DangerAtom]

Jay, just don't price them to where I can't buy them.

 

[Guy]

Good Questions Jay. I have been selling painted figures for many years and more so since I retired 3 1/2 years ago. I have a main collector who buys more than 1 a year and 2 collectors who buy 1 a year. Right now I have one collector who has given me a list of figures he wants for his collection and wants me to paint for him. It took years to get regular collectors established and was done through attending shows and successfully competing at these shows.

Most everyone I know who paints figures also is a collector too. They have their own collection in the beginning and may add other painter's figures / busts to their own collection. So in many ways you are a collector who may talk to another collector who wants one of your busts from your collection to add to his. There is no set way to price but you hit on many of the variables I think of when asked a price for one of mine.

How do you determine what price a piece will have?

I determine the price by the degree of difficulty and the availability of the figure / bust. Being a collector myself, and another collector wants to buy a figure that is no longer produced, rarely seen on ebay or secondary market, it has more value, hence the price may be higher.

If a simple bust like the Magnus (UEM Miniatures) is sought after it would have a lower price than the Harton Crow Dancer with over 60 parts. It takes longer and is more involved than the Magnus. If a bust like the LaTern Celt bust you did Jay has taken time to paint all the intricate design you did......of course it is worth much more than the same bust without the designs.

Is it based on the amount of time you have in it?

Yes, as I just mentioned above.

If you have won awards for a particular piece, does that influence the price?

I would think a figure that has won several awards would be worth more than a figure that hasn't. This goes along with the Emotional attachment. If someone wants my gold medal figure...........its gonna cost them naturally. Alot of collectors will try to finalize a deal before the judging is announced in case the figure has indeed won an award. Also some collectors will try to include the award with the purchase of the figure / bust. I look at it this way. I painted the figure / bust.......not them and the award stays with me.

Would the fact that a piece is the "box art" for a particular release influence the price?

This depends on your emotional attachment to the figure as well as the collectors desire to own it. Some collectors try to obtain the box art figure and naturally put a higher value on the figure.

Does it depend on whether a piece is "out of production" or not?

It certainly does. It goes back to supply and demand. If a kit / figure is hard to find and no longer made it becomes more valuable. Some of ebay's winning bid prices will show you this. If you pay 150.00 for a rare figure / bust, it becomes more valuable to yourself as well as a collector. It boils down to whether the collector is willing to pay for a rare piece.

Hope this helps some.

Guy

 

[renarts]

I think if you look to sell your work, you can't have an emotional attachment to them. Afterall, once sold they are no longer yours and you have no control over their fate. There must be a detachment from commercial work because you have to get over the occasional "$300?! I wouldn't pay $3, much less $300....." Art is subjective and the victim of whimsey. Some may like Jaume's work and not like Horan's. Anders may be able to command a higher price for the same figure as Bob's work simply because his aesthetic appeals more to the buyer. Value is a matter of perspective and is dependent solely on what a consumer is willing to pay. How bad do you want to sell that figure? How close are your bills due? Are you trying to make a profit or just looking to get paid for your work? As Bob put it, you can't assign an hourly wage to the job. You'll either have to charge too much or make too little. All things that get in the way of emotional attachment to a commercial venture. If you want emotion, be excited that someone is willing to pay for your work. If someone is critical of your work, you'll have to swallow that emotion. Or it becomes a game to the buyer.

 

[Blind Pew]

What a fascinating topic. As is obvious, one that deserves more that a one-line answer!
As others have previously stated, like any other commodity, the laws of supply & demand are king.
It's only when any emotional attachment starts that your pieces turn from being a commodity to be bought & sold to something more.
If a particular piece perhaps makes a personal landmark I can see why one would be reluctant to part with it.
Personally, my own feelings vary between projects. Some I'm attached to others not so. Some I've LOVED doing and treasure them.
Anway Jay, as long as you can sell them for enough to buy a razor, you'll be OK....

 

[vergilius]

I'm still a virgin if it comes to selling your own figures. I hope one day someone will aks me how much I'll ask for this or that one. Oh, the sheer thrill of it. What will I think? What will I ask and will he/she pay for it??

 

[Major_Goose]

Do you, or would you sell your work at all?

I sell some of my figures, that were not painted in advance to be sold, but since i got a request and the price i asked was not bargained, i did sold them with no problem (4-6 a year) .
But I also paint on comissions for 4 different collectors around 12-15 figures a year in total. Imainly sell my work for 2 reasons or maybe 3 !!!!.

1. Since i have no spare money for the hobby, selling my work finances it. I do trips for expos, buy materials,and reference stuff and i have some money to keep mystock updated . Thats crucial for me .

2. Then for me its an honor if someone likes my work and he likes to have it display it in his collection. Its a motivation (among others ) to try and work more and in better quality .

3.Then is a matter of space and bettering . Since ipaint a lot, and i think i am improving my skills inthe progress of time ,i cannot stock all the painted figures i have and will paint . And also if every next figure is definately on the level of the previous or even higher, its no problem for me to sell some work and keep some for myself also .


I also have been starting to be a friendly collector . This is a term that i use for the friendly figure swaps i do with friends from all over the world. Painting and modelling is art and friendship together. So having works of friends that i see oncein a while but i talk with every day is important and full of good feelings. And since they feel the same for me ,its nice .



How do you determine what price a piece will have?

This is usually regulated by the markets rules over same level painters . As i have been travelling around europe in shows and also talk with a lot of semi professional modellers that paint and sell the ranges for a stock figure painted are more or less the following in europe

54mm 120 - 500 euros depending mostly on the painters name and ability and not on the figures demands

65-80 mm 300 - 700 euros , same explanation as above regulates the price

90mm 500 - 1000 euros

120mm and up ..well most collectors with serious collections dont buy them as they consider them as mini statues and not microsculpting. I also dont like them so i dont do them , and therefore i dont know the prices



Is it based on the cost of the figure?

Regarding the committed works i usually get from the colector the material (figure, wooden base e.t.c.) so i only get paid for my work . if not i add them on the price. If i sell one of the figures not destined to be sold in advance i make a fixed price including everything in it


Is it based on the amount of time you have in it?

I will never believe that the time spent on a well painted figure and a well done base - groundwork will be properly paid in the semi professionals world. its different with the professionals and high names . The can work faster, the have the ability to pop many pieces and get paid for hteir time better than the rest of the guys

Is it based on the "emotional" attachment you have to it?

Well , nope. Some figures were pretty nice to my eyes, and i had great fun making them , but wheni was offered the correct amount , i sold them ..so ...


Do you think your personal experience or "perceived" experience should influence the price?

Well i guess so , yes


If you have won awards for a particular piece, does that influence the price?

Not that much. Since mostly depends on the collectors choice. Many guys of course tend to buy gold medal figures or best of show figures , but this gets them to the high skilled modellers and there the bargain is different . Depends if the buyer is one time buyer, if he is a regular customer and the rest



Would the fact that a piece is the "box art" for a particular release influence the price?

I know very well that the box art (at least the ones that specific high names paint ) cost even a double price (just for the honor) compared to what the same painter would take topaint a stock figure. Not always ,but specific buyers, have a love to boxarts and they pay for them .


Does it depend on whether a piece is "out of production" or not?

No not at all. The collector buysthe finished work, he doesnt care if the figure is still on market or anything like that . You cant count on this to rise the price higher

That should be a good start, or, are there other factors you consider?

Painting is like hunting . Once you finish with a course is more or less history. I have the medals from the show as memories and of course a percentage of my done works (20-30%) as a showcase. Thats enough for me . Iget the pleasure by making them , not by stocking them. I am happy to go to shows and meet friends , not by staying alone by my full showcase.

I am lucky enough to have as good friends many Stars of miniature modelling. Most of them dont even have a showcase on their own, or they have one , , with some of their older creations, and full of medals. So i think that it goes like that . I keep many many pictures of my works as a presentation to friends, or for my archive , but ineed the money to move and make more and more and more and get nice moments ..Thats all...


P.S. Nice idea and nice subject to talk about !!!

 

[Bluesking]

My figures are SO good - I have to GIVE them away to make room for new ones.
Jay - you'll have no problem selling them - barter - if he says yes to your first price you've asked for too little - if he doesn't buy at all you've asked for too much.

 

[Sambaman]

Stephen,
good simple plan!

PM me with you email if you get a minute, you don't have it listed here. I need to check in with you!

Jay H.
OKC

 

[Joe Hudson]

Jay,

Did you get my PM?

Joe