5/19/08
ArtBreak: Selling Art on the Web
Artbreak is a new web site aimed at selling and buying art. The site is very well conceived and will feel real comfortable with the YouTube/fliker crowd. There is a 7.5% commission on sales but otherwise it's free. If any of you have tried Artbreak let us know especially if you've sold work through the site.
6 comments:
This is like fliker. It looks easy to put the work on there but if the site is successful there will be way too many artists to choose from. And that would appear to me to be the problem. Then there's the question: will people spend good money for a piece of art without actually seeing it in the flesh?
When I first published my website, I offerred the option to purchase directly off the web.
Gave it 2 years and no sales. Even though people asked me if they could buy off my site, they never followed through.
Personally, posting your work on the web is mainly for exposure. Getting your work out there and on as many sites as possible helps the intrigue. If your name is Googled, people can find you and view your work. Also keeping them informed of where you are showing or selling is equally valid.
Unless you are a well established artist such as Bateman and the like, people are weary of buying something they haven't seen up close. The colours are different online compared to real life. Same with details, size and texture. The general public just can't visualize this without standing in front of it.
So, if this site offers a free page, go for it. Just don't expect to make many sales from it.
I agree, Leesa. Only well established artists have much of a chance of selling their work on the web. I would generally discourage artists to pay money for web exposure. If there are any artists out there who have had sales on pay sites we would love to hear about your experience.
I have been able to sell art online, but i first had to get over that obstacle of buyers not being able to see my art in person. What i did first was create miniatures of my drawings and sold those. They were much more affordable and they buyer was able to see my work in person. Even though they were smaller in size the style that i use for my larger drawings was still present. With time i was selling larger drawings.
I have most of for sales through the web, my work is large scale and abstract .. so not sure if that makes a difference. When buyers have contacted through my website, I encourage them to view the piece of interest on several computer screens to ensure no issues with the IT component of true to life colours. In past year have sold 4 this way purchased sight unseen. feedback has been great once piece arrives at buyer location. I have used a professional photographer for my website , so I believe true to life representation of work is given.
this may be beginners luck with the web site as it is new to me... and am not certain if in fact this is a good result in sales ?
But happy overall with results..
I would say that your success is unusual. The real benefit for artists to have a web presence is to show you as professional. Like having a business card.
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