What should I charge for pencil portraits?

I am a budding amateur artist who is embarking on the opportunity to do pencil drawings of friends/acquaintances. They have seen my drawing and I have offered to draw them or their loved ones if they give me a picture of them. The first gentleman who I did a picture for, I did it for free because he is a friend of mine. He liked the results so much that he wants more done, and wants to pay me for future pictures. I would love to get paid to make art but I have no idea what I should charge him. Can anyone out there give me any tips?





Also: The pictures are black and white, done in pencil, size 14 x 17 or smaller, not framed. The cost probably should be based on how much time it took me to do it, right? Because then a picture with more people would cost more than a picture with just one or two, which I think is accurate. Thanks in advance for any help!
What should I charge for pencil portraits?
My daughter had pencil drawings of my grandchildren done at the mall and he charged anywhere from 25.00 to 50.00. Hope I helped
What should I charge for pencil portraits?
i know this girl that does pencil on cards she really good she charges $100 a head if i could see your pic i could tell you more most books say you start at $10.00 an hour you could get more if do washes in black ink, there more contrast,and value when i did that in college, i charge about $60.00
Reply:I base the price of my drawing on: size, number of subjects drawn, medium( graphite, charcoal, colored pencil), time, detail, quality





for the example you give if it was one subject I%26#039;d be charging around $85. I have been commissioning since I was 13 with paintings and drawings. Though for something a bit bigger with lots of detail I generally get $250. But since I haven%26#039;t seen what level your artwork is at, it%26#039;s a bit harder to set a price. Don%26#039;t be afraid to set a higher price, f you spend 10 hours on a piece and get paid $50 for the piece then it%26#039;s like being paid $5 an hour!





Generally when theres another subject to draw, i%26#039;d charge around another $50. It takes a long time to draw yet even more faces! I tend to say to my customers that a regular size sheet of paper 8.5%26quot;X 11%26quot; for one face is about $75, I%26#039;ll reduce or increase from that depending on size and so on.





Really though you should set a price that feels fair to both you and the costumer. Talk to them about it, if they think it%26#039;s worth $100 and you think $70, then settle in between, or the other way around. Be firm and don%26#039;t let those few people take advantage of you. I once had a lady who had a tiny kodak picture of her three kids who wanted a drawing done. I was 13 at the time and because of my age she said she%26#039;d give me $10! No way lol, Hope this helped a bit, good luck!





Lauren
Reply:Back in the 1970%26#039;s when folk festivals were so popular, I would charge $3.00 for a three minute charcoal sketch.





With inflation and such, a drawing may not may or may not sell at $10.00 for the same sketch





Check out my Blog for some of my cheap charcoal sketches





http://curbsideview.blogspot.com/


curbside view
Reply:Are you referring to portraiture or character (cartoon) representation? A portraiture likeness takes longer so should cost more if done well. A character (cartoon) representation is usually done much faster similar to a quick sketch. Prices vary. Just starting out you should keep your prices low, but not too low. Figure 15 to 20 an hour. That should include your basic material costs, (pencils and good drawing paper.) If the client wants the picture matted and framed. Then charge for that service to. As you gain experience you will get better and faster. Later you can increase your base price as you gain fame and demand for your work.





Keep Arting!


Jeff (weseye) Wesley
Reply:fhere%26#039;s my opinion:


-he was the one who offered to pay you, so id take what he gives. ive never seen your art, so i dont know how good you are, and please understand that in no way am i doubting your skill, it%26#039;s just that seeing as you are as you say %26#039;a budding amateur%26#039;, i wouldn%26#039;t ask for a price, just accept what he pays you graciously. again, seeing as he suggested payment, he probably wont be ripping you.