How I Price My Paintings: A Transparent Guide for Collectors for 2025
One of the questions I’m asked most often is: “How do you decide what your paintings cost?”
Art pricing can sometimes feel mysterious, but I want my collectors to feel confident knowing there’s a clear, fair system behind every number. Today, I’m sharing exactly how I structure my prices, so you can see the logic and consistency that guides my work.
Curious how my pricing compares to the wider Alberta art market? I’ve shared a breakdown of what it means to be a hobbyist, an emerging artist, or a mid-tier artist in Canada, and how I’m moving between those stages.
📐 The Size in Relation to Price per Inch
Unlike prints, every original painting is a unique investment of time, materials, and energy. The most reliable way to ensure fairness across my collection is to price by square inch.
This means a larger canvas naturally costs more than a smaller one, but the price per square inch gradually decreases as the work gets bigger.
Why?
Smaller works → higher price per inch (around $2.20) because they’re more affordable entry points for collectors.
Medium works → balanced price per inch ($1.50–$1.75) for accessibility.
Large works → lower price per inch ($1.30–$1.50) so they stay within reach, even at a dramatic size.
📊 My Current Price Guide
Here’s how that looks in practice:
| Size (inches) | Sq. In. | List Price | Collector Floor | $ / sq in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11x14 | 154 | $340 | $310 | $2.20 |
| 12x12 | 144 | $320 | $290 | $2.20 |
| 16x20 | 320 | $700 | $630 | $2.20 |
| 18x24 | 432 | $750 | $680 | $1.73 |
| 24x24 | 576 | $1,000 | $910 | $1.73 |
| 24x30 | 720 | $1,250 | $1,130 | $1.73 |
| 36x24 | 864 | $1,500 | $1,360 | $1.73 |
| 30x30 | 900 | $1,550 | $1,420 | $1.73 |
| 30x36 | 1,080 | $1,600 | $1,460 | $1.50 |
| 30x40 | 1,200 | $1,800 | $1,620 | $1.50 |
| 32x40 | 1,280 | $1,900 | $1,730 | $1.50 |
| 36x36 | 1,296 | $1,950 | $1,750 | $1.50 |
| 36x48 | 1,728 | $2,600 | $2,330 | $1.50 |
| 48x36 | 1,728 | $2,600 | $2,330 | $1.50 |
| 60x48 | 2,880 | $3,700 | $3,370 | $1.30 |
All prices in CAD. “Collector Floor” is an occasional courtesy for returning collectors or multi-piece purchases. 💡 For commissioned work, please add $250 to the listed price. This flat commission fee reflects the additional design time, reference building, and collaboration required for custom paintings.
💡 Why I Share This
I believe art collecting should be an open and welcoming experience. Sharing my system helps collectors feel secure in their investment and shows how each piece fits into the bigger picture of my practice.
My Collector Floor (the discounted price) is sometimes available for returning collectors or multi-piece purchases — it’s my way of saying thank you for supporting my work long-term.
🎨 Commission Pricing: What to Expect for Custom Paintings
One of the questions I hear from collectors is: “Do you accept commissions, and how much does a custom painting cost?”
While most of my work is created for collections and exhibitions, I occasionally open spots for custom paintings. Because commissions require extra time and collaboration, they are priced slightly higher than my standard work. This ensures the process is sustainable for me as an artist and fair for you as a collector.
Here’s how I structure commission pricing:
Commission Fee: An additional 20% of the listed price (or a flat $250 for smaller works).
Zoom Session: The first hour of reference image generation and planning is included. Additional time is billed at $40/hour.
Why the Fee? Custom art involves more than painting. It includes developing image references, refining prompts, sketch reviews, and ongoing communication — all of which make the final piece deeply personal and one-of-a-kind.
For most collectors, purchasing from my available work is the most straightforward and cost-effective option. But if you’re looking for a personalized painting — something built around a family memory, a place you love, or a meaningful story — commissions are available when my schedule allows.
If you’d like to be notified when I open new commission spots, I encourage you to join my email list.
✨ Closing Thought
Art is both deeply personal and part of a larger creative economy. By keeping my pricing consistent and transparent, I make it easier for collectors to say yes to the piece that speaks to them.
If you’ve had your eye on a painting, I’d love to help you find the perfect fit for your collection.
