How much would you pay? (poll)

[Denmo]

You guys have seen my portrait topic in the Imaginari right? I'm thinking of setting up a sidewalk shop this summer at a nearby park or on campus, doing realistic portrait drawings on the spot and taking orders for painted portraits.

How much would you pay for an oil painted 1'x1' portrait on masonite board if you happened to walk by? How much extra would you pay if it was framed? What if I told you I could get it done in one to two days?

[Chad]

Re: How much would you pay? (poll)

I'm a cheap skate, sorry. And with a time line of 1 - 2 days, I don't know if I'd trust you to be there next time I walked by.

[Denmo]

Re: How much would you pay? (poll)

I'm a cheap skate, sorry. And with a time line of 1 - 2 days, I don't know if I'd trust you to be there next time I walked by.

I would deliver it, probably, either by mail or by car, and payment would be taken upon completion. If you don't like the result I'll keep it for myself.

And don't be sorry, I'm very interested in whatever anyone has to say about it.

[Czechs Mex]

Re: How much would you pay? (poll)

Wow, I hadn't seen that Imaginari topic before. I'm impressed. Still, I can't imagine spending $50 for a picture of myself on a whim like that, regardless of the quality. It's not you, it's me, baby.

[Denmo]

Re: How much would you pay? (poll)

It wouldn't have to be yourself either. It could be a family member or friend. I would just need a picture. And if you didn't have that you could send it to me via e-mail.

[Czechs Mex]

Re: How much would you pay? (poll)

Hmm... perhaps. I dunno, it definitely looks like something that someone would pay $50 for; I just don't think that someone is me. I'm just not sure what I'd do with a picture of myself, or a picture of someone else. Unless it was a picture of someone famous or a picture of the whole family.

If you did family portraits, I could see those selling for quite a bit more.

[Sejon]

Re: How much would you pay? (poll)

You could also try for finishing the portrait then and there as opposed to using a photo, by simplifying your style or painting monochromatically to speed the process up, perhaps. I just imagine you'd have more success, as from what I understand the appeal of most casual sidewalk/park portraits is the instant satisfaction of it (and what seems to attract many people is seeing the artist actually working on-site as well). Plus with the general "out of sight, out of mind" mentality many people have I don't know how many follow-throughs you'd get via email/snail mail.

And that way, since you're not pouring as much work into each portrait, you'd be able to charge roughly $50 a piece and possibly attract more commissions during the day.

[Sezjeuric]

Re: How much would you pay? (poll)

On campus may not be the best idea as we all know how cash strapped students can be. I just don't see them spulging on it. Alcohol may be a bigger piority for them. Pay attention to any outside street events. Or waterfronts- people love that kinda stuff on boardwalks

[Czechs Mex]

Re: How much would you pay? (poll)

Edit: But yeah, I agree, students generally don't have cash to spend on this kind of stuff, and many will be in a rush to get to classes, anyway. Find a nice leisurely place where dates or families might go, and where people are in the spending mood already.

[Misty]

Re: How much would you pay? (poll)

$100-150 at the most. Framed, of course.

[Karr Lord of Chaos]

Re: How much would you pay? (poll)

framing alone is around 100 bucks. it all depends on the size of the frame i suppose. under 50 for the product, and framing extra i say.

[IRC]

Re: How much would you pay? (poll)

Five bucks. Ten at the most. And that's pushing it.