To be a successful artist, you must properly market your artwork in a variety of venues, and your success ultimately rests upon your artistic ability and drive. Because the art world is competitive, only those actively marketing their art in the right places and in the proper manner are able to consistently turn a profit. 1) Make a portfolio. Every serious artist should keep a portfolio of his or her work. A portfolio illustrates your painting style and your body of work. Inside the portfolio, keep professional-quality photographic representations of all your oil paintings, including the ones you have already sold. The portfolio serves as an artist's showroom and resume. Also, be sure to have a digital version of your portfolio, making it easier to market your paintings on-line. 2) Paint on location. Choose an area with a high level of foot traffic, and set up your easel, canvas and palette in that location. Pick a subject to paint that is in your vicinity. As passers-by look on, they can gauge your talents by how well your painting represents the subject. Painting on location also gives you the opportunity to answer the questions of those interested in purchasing your artwork. Be sure to keep a few finished paintings nearby, as well as business cards to hand out to those interested in your work.

1. How Can I
Market
My Oil
Paintings?
by Lloyd Dobson

2. To be a successful artist, you must
properly market your artwork in a
variety of venues, and your success
ultimately rests upon your artistic
ability and drive. Because the art
world is competitive, only those
actively marketing their art in the
right places and in the proper
manner are able to consistently turn
a profit.

3. 1) Make a portfolio. Every serious
artist should keep a portfolio of
his or her work. A portfolio
illustrates your painting style and
your body of work. Inside the
portfolio, keep professional-
quality photographic
representations of all your oil
paintings,

4. including the ones you have
already sold. The portfolio
serves as an artist's showroom
and resume. Also, be sure to
have a digital version of your
portfolio, making it easier to
market your paintings on-line.

5. 2) Paint on location. Choose an
area with a high level of foot
traffic, and set up your easel,
canvas and palette in that
location. Pick a subject to paint
that is in your vicinity. As passers-
by look on, they can gauge your
talents by how well your painting
represents the subject.

6. Painting on location also gives
you the opportunity to answer the
questions of those interested in
purchasing your artwork. Be sure
to keep a few finished paintings
nearby, as well as business cards
to hand out to those interested in
your work.

7. 3) Display your work. Visit various
establishments, such as coffee
shops, fashion retailers and
bookstores, to determine if your
artwork would work well with the
decor. If so, ask if it would be
possible to hang your artwork
inside these establishments,

8. with a percentage of any sales
going to the owners of the
establishments. If the place of
business declines, consider
donating the piece to the
business in an effort to place
your work in public view.

9. Depending on your work, you
may be able to convince high-
class clubs, hotels and
restaurants to display your
pieces, with or without a
percentage of the profits going
to them. Affluent art lovers are
more likely to pay for original
artwork.

10. It even may be possible to display
your pieces at your local city hall
or public library. Be sure to enter
your artwork into various local
and regional art contests and art
festivals. The more people who
see your artwork, the better are
your chances of selling it.

11. 4) Donate some of your artwork for a
cause. For example, donate a
painting to a silent auction to benefit
cancer research or to a library in your
community for beautification
purposes. You are not only doing
good in your community, you are
putting your artwork into public
display. Also, keep in mind that
artwork donations are tax
deductible.

12. 5) Sell your artwork on-line.
Creating a website dedicated to
marketing your oil paintings is an
inventive way to put your artwork
into public view. Do-it-yourself
website services are available on-
line for a fee. Your website should
display your work and
biographical information about
you.

13. The website also should function as a
store, allowing consumers to easily
purchase your oil paintings from the
site. If you are not Internet-savvy,
sell your paintings through on-line
art galleries. Numerous on-line
galleries offer their services for a
sales percentage. Often, sites will
allow you to showcase as many oil
paintings as you desire, usually with a
free trial period before fees begin.

14. A wide range of art genres and
mediums can be found on these
sites, and it is in the site's best
interest to market your paintings
properly. Fees are reasonable, and
many art gallery sites boast high
traffic volume.
Here is one such website called
“Oil Paintings Online”

15. If You Are Watching This On
YouTube or Out On The Web
Somewhere, Go To This
Website/Blog For Additional
Information Concerning
Marketing Your Artwork!
www.LloydDobsonArtist.com