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Selling art isn’t just about making great work, it’s about choosing sales channels that don’t quietly erase your profit. We’ve gotten a steady stream of questions about galleries, especially from artists who want more exposure but also want to keep their prices within reach. So we lay out our actual process for selling paintings and wall art, including what’s worked year after year and what we’ve learned the hard way.

We start with the backbone of our art business: in-person art shows. From major art events to festivals and multi-day shows, we talk about why face-to-face selling still wins for many artists. It creates immediate feedback, real conversations, and momentum that’s hard to replicate online. If you’re trying to grow art sales, build a collector base, and make your work feel “real” to buyers, these events can be a repeatable system rather than a gamble.

From there, we dig into commission work as a second channel, and why limits matter. Commissions can be dependable, but only if you protect your time and avoid overbooking. Finally, we address the gallery question directly. Great galleries exist everywhere, but the typical 50–60% commission can force uncomfortable pricing decisions. We talk through how pricing artwork can stay fair to your labor while still landing at a number that makes buyers say, “I want that piece.”

If you’re an emerging artist, a mid-career painter, or anyone building an art business, this conversation will help you think clearly about art fairs, commissions, galleries, and pricing strategy. Subscribe for more practical guidance, share this with an artist friend, and leave a review with your biggest question about selling art.

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