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Lon,
After a long, hard trip around the block on how to price, I will tell you my thoughts. I used to price by the size, (i.e., 20x24, this price, 30x36, that price...), but found that people were always trying to fit as much as possible into the "size," i.e., "....if I make little Bobby 1/2 size and have him sitting holding his knees, we could squeeze his whole body into a 20x24....," ridiculous. The watershed came when I quoted a price for three children and gave an approximate size. The finished painting came in slightly smaller, and more of a square format than the original approximation. The client, a lawyer, figured out the price per square inch and wanted to deduct almost $600 from my price. It became a take it or leave it deal, so I took it. I immediately revised my pricing schedule.
This is what works for me, and it works beautifully. I price by body parts. Head and shoulders, head and hands, three quarters, full body. No discounts for more than one person. I like to work life size. Separate price schedules for adult (corporate) and children.
Intricate background? No extra cost. Teeth? No extra cost. Pets? No extra cost. Fancy dresses? No extra cost.
If someone says they want a head and shoulders to be 11x14, I tell them that the price is the same for an 11x14 as it is for a 20x24. (They invariably go for the 20x24 life sized portrait, my preferred size. )
As more of the body is painted, more background is required for a comfortable "space" behind the subject. I take that into consideration in my price schedule. I don't like the idea of charging extras for chairs, or desks or flowers in a portrait. Price the painting so it includes all that stuff. I can price out the cost for a portrait with four people and two dogs in about 30 seconds.
Keep it simple. I have worked a lot with corporate commissions, and they want to know what it will cost. They want a simple schedule, they want the bottom line, no surprises, no complications. You start talking price per inch, and you are into a lot of discussion.
I just say, "My prices start at $6500 for a head and shoulders and I work life size."
In and out. They are interested or they are not.
Hope this helps.
Peggy
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