What are the best-selling painting sizes? - WetCanvas: Online Living for Artists (2024)

zeropoint

I’m figuring out dimensions for some framed pieces I have coming up in a show. I realized I don’t know which sizes (for framed paintings) tend to sell the best. What are the most popular sizes, as far as you know? Thank you.

virgil carter

There are no sizes which “sell the best”! It all depends on the quality of the paintings and pricing, plus the type of show in which the paintings are exhibited.

If it’s the kind of show where everything is priced low–such as a crafter’s show or a hobby show–then the lower priced paintings tend to sell better.

If it’s a high quality art show, where collectors expect to find high quality pieces, then those sell well.

And of course, there are “miniature” shows where no painting larger than a certain size is permitted. Conversely, there are shows where no painting smaller than a certain size is permitted.

In other words, it’s not about size, unless that’s a part of the show’s requirements. It’s about quality and pricing, plus fitting your work into the type of show.

Good luck!

Sling paint,
Virgil

Sling paint,
Virgil Carter
http://www.virgilcarterfineart.com/

ArtsyCarolyn

If you stick to standard sizes, you do not have to have custom frames. Thereby saving money on the framing. Faster too.
Carolyn

chantz_2011

There are no sizes which “sell the best”! It all depends on the quality of the paintings and pricing, plus the type of show in which the paintings are exhibited.

I agree that a lot depends on the quality and pricing, but I’d hesitate to make a blanket statement that there are ‘no sizes which sell the best.’

I would think that in some situations size can play a part (other than situations you mention like a miniatures show).

My comment is based partially on the opinion told to me by an experienced and successful artist who said (at least within his particular niche) that recently, smaller pieces tend to sell better.

Again, there are a number of conditions and perceptions at play here, but I want to respectfully challenge the idea that there are ‘no sizes which sell best’ in all cases.

Jay Snively

kasunart

I enjoy painting in all sizes ranging from small 8″x10″s to 48″x60″, and the two clear winners are 11″x14″ and 36″x48″ (for sales). The middle sizes are harder to sell, for sure. I think it might have more to do with price points too.

Tatianapaints

I like painting in all sizes, too. People definitely buy all sizes. Sometimes it’s a matter of finding out what sizes have less competition in the market you’re in.

Robin

I don’t do shows but definitely have sizes that outsell others.

Robin

Louis McK

I have wondered about this in the past and found this survey. Don’t think it’ll be much use but it’s good for a giggle. Looks like ‘Dishwasher’ size or ‘refrigerator door’ size are safe bets

virgil carter

Well, that settles it. Most wanted size in the US is dishwasher size. Turkey too! So there’s multiple markets for dishwashers.

Er…how large is a dishwasher?

Thanks for the insight,
Virgil

Sling paint,
Virgil Carter
http://www.virgilcarterfineart.com/

amfam

All sizes are best selling if you are talented

contumacious

If you can predict who your potential buyer is you may possibly increase your sales by tailoring the size of the piece to fit their wants. Perhaps you could contact the people who put on the show and ask them if there is a trend towards larger or smaller works in their past shows. If not, then just send what you want without concerns for the size.

I absolutely factor in painting size for SOME venues as it can often have a dramatic impact on sales.

If the buyers are tourists or travelers, from what I have observed, they tend to buy smaller pieces as they usually can’t or won’t take a large painting with them and often choose not to deal with the hassle and expense of shipping. The majority of gallery and show sales in the small town where I live are not to locals and the smaller paintings sell at a significantly higher ratio. My guess is well over 75% of the sales for the entire gallery here are under 24″ for the frame dimensions largest side and a good portion of those are under 16″.

Just the opposite of that – a gallery I hang in and work at in another town tends to sell a higher percentage of quite large (36″ and bigger image area) pieces, mostly to local buyers.

Harold Roth

Contumacious, do the two galleries sell different types of work, like for instance traditional landscape vs abstract?