Top Ten subjects for art that sells
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The Most Popular Themes / Subjects Which Sell Art
Do you know what are the most popular themes which sell art? Is this question important to an artist, why would you want to know the most popular subjects, would it make a difference to your artistic output?
Most serious artists would probably not take too much interest in currently popular themes or subjects thinking that the crux of their effort should be to reveal the "truth" about themselves or their subjects. However for many, shall we say, leisure artists who would like to be able to make a little cash from their favourite hobby, it is of considerable interest. I am not saying that anyone should paint a subject simply to sell it but of course I would not say that this does not happen. Also a working artist in a tourist area may well find that they can sell paintings of local scenes, even though they long to paint expressionist portraits. The local scenes will undoubtably pay their bills whilst they seek to make a name for themselves painting artwork in a genre which will put their name in lights, so to speak.
I have heard it said that such artists may be better off doing some other kind of work to pay the bills, but I would not subscribe to this at all.
It has long been said that use of the colour red helps to sell a painting, a story is told of Turner adding a splodge of red to a painting which was already hung for an exhibition at the Royal Society. Was he provoked into adding this small eye catching note of colour, did he think it would make the painting more saleable or was it the "finishing touch". It was actually a representation of a buoy in a rough sea, a small detail that he deemed to be important.
In this lens I will try to make a stab at collating what has been written about popular subjects and themes in art and the world of fine art prints.
Note: All paintings featured in this lens, unless stated otherwise, are by the author. All rights are reserved and they should not be copied or otherwise used without my express permission .
Most serious artists would probably not take too much interest in currently popular themes or subjects thinking that the crux of their effort should be to reveal the "truth" about themselves or their subjects. However for many, shall we say, leisure artists who would like to be able to make a little cash from their favourite hobby, it is of considerable interest. I am not saying that anyone should paint a subject simply to sell it but of course I would not say that this does not happen. Also a working artist in a tourist area may well find that they can sell paintings of local scenes, even though they long to paint expressionist portraits. The local scenes will undoubtably pay their bills whilst they seek to make a name for themselves painting artwork in a genre which will put their name in lights, so to speak.
I have heard it said that such artists may be better off doing some other kind of work to pay the bills, but I would not subscribe to this at all.
It has long been said that use of the colour red helps to sell a painting, a story is told of Turner adding a splodge of red to a painting which was already hung for an exhibition at the Royal Society. Was he provoked into adding this small eye catching note of colour, did he think it would make the painting more saleable or was it the "finishing touch". It was actually a representation of a buoy in a rough sea, a small detail that he deemed to be important.
In this lens I will try to make a stab at collating what has been written about popular subjects and themes in art and the world of fine art prints.
Note: All paintings featured in this lens, unless stated otherwise, are by the author. All rights are reserved and they should not be copied or otherwise used without my express permission .
Contents at a Glance
So..........
.........let's look at the best selling subjects and ask, "should you really care?"
What Subjects Sell Paintings?
As I said in the introduction, Maybe you shouldn't worry about the best selling themes / genres, you should paint what you are happy painting. But a working artist may well find time to get in a few paintings which may well sell to keep the wolf from the door. It's up to the individual but most of us work four days for ourselves and one day for the taxman so don't be too proud. ( Assuming a basic tax rate of 20% here)Of course, if your favourite subject happens to be the same as the market's, you're sitting pretty. According to Art Business Today, these were the top 10 best-selling subjects for paintings in the UK:
1. Traditional landscapes.
2. Local views.
3. Modern or semi-abstract landscapes.
4. Abstracts.
5. Dogs.
6. Figure studies (excluding nudes).
7. Seascapes, harbour, and beach scenes.
8. Wildlife.
9. Impressionistic landscapes.
10. Nudes.
My own favourites are landscapes (mostly semi-abstract) and more recently abstract paintings. So I would seem to be in a good position. But there is so much competition that you cannot afford to relax. And in the long run if you paint realy good nudes then you will have more success concentrating on your strengths, than from painting mediocre landscapes.
Interestingly this source has been quoted by one web-site that is using it to discuss career developments and which subjects you could be painting to sell art. Whilst another web-site (a blog) is discussing marketing of art including the secondary market for investment. Unfortunately I have not been able to find the original article in Art Business Today.
My Latest Sale
Update From A Recent Art Exhibition
I am pleased to announce that in a recent exhibition with my art group, I managed to achieve another sale. I sell less in this way than on say Ebay, but the difference in achievable price makes the number of sales immaterial. I guess it is a landscape. But I also sold this abstract landscape, which surprised me as our litlle exhibtions usually attract the more conservative art lovers.
Both are pastel paintings, the landscape on a very rough paper ( hence the texture) and the abstract on card. I also create a texture in my pastel paintings by building up the painting in layers so that early layers show through in the finished painting.
How To Approach A New Painting
Whatever The Subject
It is usually the case that an artist goes through a number of steps before starting a painting. If your only consideration is seeling what you think will sell, this does not preclude you.
This approach should be rigidly adhere to. There are intermediate steps but these will go a long way to ensuring an interesting and saleable work of art.
- Look and see, understand what you are about to paint. What is it that you want to say about the subject.
- Then sketch or draw a number of thumbnails, to develop the composition of the piece.
- Use different tonal schemes, which fits your objective best?
- Try landscape and portrait formats, which fits you intended subject best
- Think about how the main subject sits in the frame. Do not draw/paint an edge to coincide with the edge of the canvas/ground. How will you size the main element, does it need cropping to make it interesting?
- Make sure that you know what you are trying to achieve, so that you will know when you are finished. There is nothing worse that an overworked painting.
This approach should be rigidly adhere to. There are intermediate steps but these will go a long way to ensuring an interesting and saleable work of art.
What Media Sell Best?
The survey also researched what the best-selling media were. Not surprisingly, prints sell more than original paintings, as they are cheaper; price is a major consideration for many people. And of course many prints are sold as decorative items, to be changed with the colour scheme.The list is given as:-
1 Limited edition offset-litho prints.
2 Limited edition giclée prints.
3 Open edition offset-litho prints.
4 Oil and acrylic paintings.
5 Watercolours.
6 Artists' original prints (eg etchings, engravings).
7 Open edition giclée prints.
I must admit to being unsure what relevance this list has. Except it confirms that limited edition prints sell more than open edition prints, where more copies can always be produced. You are unlikely to change your media based on this sort of information. It is a little deflating for me as I would count pastels and watercolour as my main media. I do wonder which media are favoured by buyers who collect as an investment? Or is this a silly question?
Original Paintings (By Artyfax)
For Sale On Zazzle Products
Luckily (I suppose) my favourite subject is landscape painting, which I love. I have painted other gendres but landscapes' especially semi-abstract landscapes are what keeps me painting. I also love painting abstracts and have created a lens, Learn How To Paint Abstract Art. I did join a group some years back to develop my portraiture and figure painting but it never really grabbed me, so I have stuck with landscape paintings. I have sold a number on Ebay but it is a very hit and miss site, needing to pay up front for auctioning art works at what can be ridiculously low prices.
I am trying Zazzle at the moment, a print on demand site which means I can make money by selling products with my images on them. A little commercial but an artist has to eat just like everybody else. Here are a couple of products from my Zazzle store with images in pastel:-
The products available range from cothes to tote bags, mouse mats and greeting/post cards. The big advantage is that, of course, it is the image that you are selling.
Of course, nowadays it is possible to create prints on canvas from your original artwork. One such product is:-
Another is:-
I am trying Zazzle at the moment, a print on demand site which means I can make money by selling products with my images on them. A little commercial but an artist has to eat just like everybody else. Here are a couple of products from my Zazzle store with images in pastel:-
brokem fence by artyfax
View more Orange Mousepads
and
From me to you by artyfax
View more Abstract Postcards
The products available range from cothes to tote bags, mouse mats and greeting/post cards. The big advantage is that, of course, it is the image that you are selling.
Of course, nowadays it is possible to create prints on canvas from your original artwork. One such product is:-
Red, blue and yellow abstract wrapped canvas by artyfax
Create a customised tee shirt at zazzle
Another is:-
blue abstract wrapped canvas by ArtyfaxProducts
More Blue Canvas Prints
Best Selling Prints And Posters
Many internet-based art galleries will publish lists of what they consider to be their best selling posters / prints, some links to these are listed below.
- art.co.uk ; best selling posters and prints
- Fine art company: best selling art prints UK
- prints for pleasure: 50 best sellers
- all poster: best selling giclee prints
- On this site you can select type of product and rank by best selling item.
Decorate Your Home Or Studio
Posters From The Internet
Do you visit galleries or museums on a regular basis. For an artist, being able to see excellent work is a reminder of what his or her peers are capable of and of course what finds favour with the buying public. A substitute for such visits is a selection of posters of aknowledged populaar artworks by the great masters.
Van Gogh, Starry Night 
Buy at AllPosters.com
Wassily Kandinsky 
Buy at AllPosters.com
Best Selling Artists (deceased) of Prints
A Final List From The Same Article.
The same article also compared the Top 10 best-selling deceased artists to the best-selling subjects. Top of the list was Lowry, whose paintings are hardly "traditional landscapes", though they could be classed at a pinch as "local views". Of course there are many artists painting traditional landscapes, and only one Lowry. This is bound to upset the statistics!Mainly for interest and for your enlightenment the top selling "print artists" are:-
1 L S Lowry.
2 Monet.
3 Alan Ingham.
4 Russell Flint.
5 John Miller.
6 Rothko.
7 Van Gogh.
8 Picasso.
9 Klimt.
10 Matisse.
The survey was conducted by Art Business Today on behalf of The Fine Art Trade Guild; more than 800 galleries across the UK were asked to name their best-selling prints in 2003. I do not believe that it will have changed that much since then since all the best selling prints are from artists most active early in the last century or before.
As An Artist, Would You Be Swayed By The Popular Themes Listed?
I have given my personal views above. I don't think that I would be swayed by this list of popular selling themes. But then I do not rely on my art for an income, or really expect to make any income at all. I am in a happy position of painting purely for pleasure. However, I understand why an artist would be swayed by this list and any information leading to the possibility of a future sale. I would be interested in your views, do you need to sell your art, is it an important part of your income? And in this event do you paint to sell or paint to please yourself?
Note: I have sold art via Ebay in the past but decided to pull off this site as I did not think that the auction system provided the sort of return, I wanted. I could sell, mainly landscapes and semi-abstract landscapes but at give-away prices. I find I prefer to give my art away than to be in that situation.
Do you paint to sell?
I rely on selling my art for a source of income and yes I do paint to sell.
I always paint to please myself.
artyfax says:
I am going to add my "two penny worth". As I think I have said above, I paint for myself, selling is great but does not determine what I paint. But then it is not something I rely on for a living,
Ladymermaid says:
I have no artistic talents but I certainly envy those who have an artistic nature.. My talents lie in my writing abilities.
More Posters to Choose From
Jack Vetriano, The Singing Butler
Buy at AllPosters.com
Van Gogh, Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles, at Night
Buy at AllPosters.com
Some considerations in selling your art....
I have selected a few links to pages on Squidoo and a few books from Amazon, which may help on selling your masterpieces.
Something To Remember When Painting
"A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his mind is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist."
(St. Thomas Aquinas)
What ever you are painting, do it as well as you can in the gendre and style that you choose. Paint what inspires you!
Paint it for yourself and put your heart into the work. Simply by doing this you will find that a better artwork will result.
Advice For Artists ...
from an artist writing on Squidoo. In Art Marketing: When Selling Art Predictable Is Popular WildFacesGallery (Mona Majorowicz) suggests that Galleries and Patrons alike seem to like predictability in an artists output.
If you wish to work in other genres or use materials different to your normal work, Mona gives some useful specific advice.
If you wish to work in other genres or use materials different to your normal work, Mona gives some useful specific advice.
Selling Your Art And Crafts Online
If you need a little help with starting out selling your art and carfts , then here is a selection of lenses which may be able to offer help.
Have We Answered The Original Question?
What Does It Mean To Us As Artists?
We have looked at themes which sell well, media and successful deceased artists. The later two are simply interesting but does the first really matter.
As with any endeavour, the success or otherwise can depend on many factors. For instance in the case of a painting, is it being marketed to the right person/people. If in a gallery, does it fit in with the likes and needs of the patrons of the establishment. Private buyers, commercial buyers, interior decoraters/designers; all will have different requirements and views about the type of art they are looking for. The disposable income or budgets of the buyers will affect how they look at the prices and hence the saleability of a painting. So is the idea of painting to a theme really as clear cut as it seems.We must be clear about who is buying what. Consider this analysis.
Museums and private collectors will be quite a small market for higher priced artwork.
Commercial concerns use art to decorate offices and public areas, this is a medium sized market.
A home market, which tends to purchase low priced and copies of originals is the largest market for art.
Maybe we should aim for the high priced / collectors market but realistically it may prove profitable to consider selling copies ( maybe a limited edition) and / or trying to increase income from an artwork by publishing the art in various formats such as greeting cards. Print on demand (POD) web sites such as Zazzle (above) are a useful tool here. If an artist is to make enough money to live from their art, they must treat it like a business. Volume is one aspect of any business which must be addressed.
As with any endeavour, the success or otherwise can depend on many factors. For instance in the case of a painting, is it being marketed to the right person/people. If in a gallery, does it fit in with the likes and needs of the patrons of the establishment. Private buyers, commercial buyers, interior decoraters/designers; all will have different requirements and views about the type of art they are looking for. The disposable income or budgets of the buyers will affect how they look at the prices and hence the saleability of a painting. So is the idea of painting to a theme really as clear cut as it seems.We must be clear about who is buying what. Consider this analysis.
Museums and private collectors will be quite a small market for higher priced artwork.
Commercial concerns use art to decorate offices and public areas, this is a medium sized market.
A home market, which tends to purchase low priced and copies of originals is the largest market for art.
Maybe we should aim for the high priced / collectors market but realistically it may prove profitable to consider selling copies ( maybe a limited edition) and / or trying to increase income from an artwork by publishing the art in various formats such as greeting cards. Print on demand (POD) web sites such as Zazzle (above) are a useful tool here. If an artist is to make enough money to live from their art, they must treat it like a business. Volume is one aspect of any business which must be addressed.
birthday card, clouds by artyfax
See other Birthday Cards
A Little help From Amazon To Sell Your Art
If you do have art ( or crafts) to sell, it can be daunting when you are just starting out. Get a little help from some writers who have tried it.
If you are good (and lucky) enough to find a gallery or an agent to sell your work than great, but many of us struggle to start selling for ourselves, at fairs and craft shows, on-line, and find numerous local outlets from shops and offices to hospital corridors and cafes. This is a selection of books which may just provide the answer to your problems.
If you are good (and lucky) enough to find a gallery or an agent to sell your work than great, but many of us struggle to start selling for ourselves, at fairs and craft shows, on-line, and find numerous local outlets from shops and offices to hospital corridors and cafes. This is a selection of books which may just provide the answer to your problems.
A Selection Of Fine Art Posters
Inspiration For Aspiring Artists
Above I gave a number of examples of fine art posters and there are many places from where they can be obtained on the internet. If however you are put off by the numerous posters available from these retailers, why not use these curated lists on Squidoo.
Books are fine but a large sized artwork has a different effect on the senses. You should be getting out and visiting museums and art galleries but sometimes this is difficult. Posters are a poor substitute for the real thing but can be inspiring.
Books are fine but a large sized artwork has a different effect on the senses. You should be getting out and visiting museums and art galleries but sometimes this is difficult. Posters are a poor substitute for the real thing but can be inspiring.
Thinking Of Taking Up Art Seriously
Or Need A Refresher
If you are in need of a little help with your art and would like to follow a FREE course which will effectively represent a three year course at art college. Take a look at The school Of Art.
What Sells Art.
A Reminder From The Guestbook
Art is about communicating with the viewer, in order to create some feelings within them. However we artists often forget that for the art to sell it must usually recreate something from the viewers past,trigger some memory. (Thanks to PatL for reminding me) This may be a landscape with memories of a great holiday for example. I can vouch for this as the reason for many sales. Some sales were showing actual places (e.g. the prisoners lodgings in Portmeirion - remember that program) and were bought because of memories of the place. Others were made up from my own head, simply composed to create a great image, but they reminded the buyers of a place they knew.Abstracts however, are often bought for their colour to match with a room's decor. I remember my first abstract sale. I was told that the colours were exactly what the buyer was looking for. Hardly what I expected but I still spent the money for that sale. I did not have these particular requirements in mind when I painted it but that does not counter the reason for the sale.
So the advice is still the same, paint what you want to and enjoy it.
Help With Selling Your Art
OK. You have selected your subject and theme. Been inspired and created a masterpiece. Now how are you going to sell your art?
There are many useful lenses which give insights into all aspects of selling; the art business, on-line galleries, how to mail out your finished work, pricing your art, selling at art fairs and finally pricing. The factor that seems to have us all in a dither. And don't forget the POD (print-on demand sites) although you may sell the art you still hold the copyright and may be able to use it to create an income.
amongst some of the best are the following:-
There are many useful lenses which give insights into all aspects of selling; the art business, on-line galleries, how to mail out your finished work, pricing your art, selling at art fairs and finally pricing. The factor that seems to have us all in a dither. And don't forget the POD (print-on demand sites) although you may sell the art you still hold the copyright and may be able to use it to create an income.
amongst some of the best are the following:-
Sales Of Art In The News
What Is Big In The Art MArket
- Quick Spin: 'Banga,' by Patti Smith
- Patti Smith Banga By her own reckoning, Patti Smith's award-winning 2010 memoir ?Just Kids? sold more copies than any album she'd made. ?Banga,? its literal (and, in many ways, spiritual) follow-up, is a rumpled, unmade bed of a disc that mixes ...
- Island Girl combines nautical themes, whimsy
- I'm the exclusive carrier and have been selling it for six years now. It's available in sterling with 14kt gold accents and in gold with diamonds. People come in looking for home decor and paintings. The girls from the Beach like to shop for themselves ...
- One of the most beautiful Renoir paintings in private hands to be offered at ...
- Representing many of the most celebrated artists of the late 19th and 20th centuries, the auction is led by Baigneuse, 1888, a sumptuous exploration of Pierre-Auguste Renoir's (1841-1919) most celebrated theme, the female nude (estimate: £12 million to ...
- Original Pears Soap Image Painting Estimated to Fetch £150000
- The original painting for one of the most famous British Victorian images is for sale at Bonhams 19th Century Paintings sale in London on 11 July. Estimated at £100000-150000, the image reportedly represents the Victorian affection for childhood themes ...
Blessed by Angels
This lens has been blessed by the following SquidAngels, I would like to thank them all very much. Each blessing means so very much and I appreciate each and every one.Have Your Say
This Is a work In progress and I will be adding much more to the bare bones over the next few weeks and months. In the meantime if you have anything to add, please comment below. I will be grateful for any positive comments to help with the development of this Lens -thanks in anticipation
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richiewest
Jun 3, 2012 @ 11:13 am | delete
- Good info. I believe people commonly buy pictures that have a "feel good" factor. (On emotion) Thus pleasent memories triggered are.a spur to buy. An abstract might do that sub-consciously on another level. Also, using certain colours is a crafty way to promote certain emotions. As with your above example, figures usually add to saleability too.
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Pat L
May 14, 2012 @ 6:04 pm | delete
- I work as a professional artist and have learned that most customers are looking for something in a painting or drawing that triggers good memories. Sometimes it's a local hangout, retro or antique items, or a different angle of things they see everyday. If they are in the market for an abstract, then it is usually down to color and interesting focal point.
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vallain Apr 26, 2012 @ 12:35 am | delete
- Quite useful information for artists. I sketch a little but just for my own enjoyment.
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Ladymermaid
Apr 15, 2012 @ 7:37 am | delete
- I truly am surprised that dogs were one of the most popular painting themes. I would have thought more that horses would be on that list of hot selling art.
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mel-kav
Mar 19, 2012 @ 9:01 am | delete
- I love painting abstract photos. I started out doing landscape oil paintings - I was OK - not great. For a long while - I stopped painting. However, I started doing some abstract paintings for my home decor.
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Who Is Artyfax?
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by artyfax
I am a largely self-taught artist with a long time interest in the creative arts. After school I studied metallurgy and achieved two higher degrees in... more »
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Bread and butter art work, is it a living?
