How to Price Your Art Without Undervaluing Yourself

💷 1. Stop Calling It “Just a Hobby”

The first step to fair pricing is mindset. If you’re selling your work, then it’s no longer just a hobby. It’s creative labour, and it deserves compensation. Undervaluing your art because you “enjoy doing it anyway” diminishes the years you’ve spent honing your skills.

You’re not charging for that one canvas. You’re charging for everything that made it possible.

📐 2. Use a Simple Formula as a Starting Point

There’s no single correct method, but here’s a basic framework that works for most visual art:

(Hourly rate × hours worked) + material costs + overheads = base price
Optional: Multiply by 2 for gallery-ready or unique pieces.

Example:
If you spend 10 hours on a piece, pay yourself £20/hour, use £15 in materials, and estimate £10 in overheads (studio, software, utilities):
→ £200 + £15 + £10 = £225 base price.

From there, you can round up for uniqueness, size, or framing.

🧾 3. Include Hidden Costs

You may not think of electricity, website hosting, packaging, or the ten failed sketches before the final version — but they all cost something. So does your time on social media, admin, and delivering orders.

Always add a buffer for these. Think of it like a service charge: invisible, but necessary.

🛒 4. Research Your Market — But Don’t Copy It

Yes, see what other artists charge — but compare within your niche, your skill level, and your country or region. If someone is charging £40 for an A2 painting, that’s a red flag, not a model to follow.

Watch for these patterns instead:

• What sizes and mediums are selling?
• How are artists packaging and presenting their work?
• Who are their buyers — and do you share that audience?

Use this to inform your pricing — not to undercut others.

🚫 5. Don’t Price Emotionally

We often price down because:

• “No one will pay that much.”
• “It didn’t take that long.”
• “I’m not a real artist.”

These thoughts aren’t about value — they’re about confidence. Let your skill, effort, and professionalism do the talking. If you’d pay £120 for a jacket that lasts two years, why shouldn’t someone pay that for an artwork that lasts a lifetime?

🖼️ 6. Consider Prints and Tiers

Offering prints, digital downloads, or smaller versions of your work can help accommodate budget-conscious buyers without slashing the price of originals.

“The original is £350, but I offer signed A4 prints for £40.”

This gives choice while maintaining the value of the piece itself.

📣 7. Stand By Your Price — Quietly and Confidently

You don’t need to explain your pricing in every post. Say it once. Make it visible. And let the work speak for itself.

If someone says it’s too expensive, they’re simply not your customer.

✨ Final Word

Pricing isn’t just a number — it’s a reflection of your boundaries, your self-worth, and your respect for the creative process.
Don’t race to the bottom. You can’t build a career on exposure and underpayment.

And remember: the right buyer is looking for what you offer — not just for what’s cheap.