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Note from the Atelier October 17, 2026 Dearest Gentle Reader, Apparently, I've become the Lady Whistledown of my local art circle. I spent some time this week talking with artist friends who are preparing for upcoming art shows. We discussed everything from what to sell and how to price it to all the things you need to bring. So, naturally, I'm sharing some thoughts on preparing for your first art show this week. I'm also introducing you to Charles Sovek, an artist and teacher whose website was one of my favorite painting resources years ago. I recently discovered that his website had disappeared, but after a little digging, I found it again! I'm delighted to share his wonderful lessons with you. When I mentioned that our conversation had inspired this week's newsletter, one friend dubbed me their very own Lady Whistledown. Rest assured, this author intends to reveal EVERYTHING. Yours truly, ​ Lady Whistledown of the Atelier

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Thinking About Selling Your Art? Start Small.

The holiday shopping season is upon us, and if you’ve been thinking about selling some of your artwork, this might be a good time to give it a try.

Churches, schools and community organizations often host small art and craft shows on weekends throughout the fall. Many have relatively low entrance fees, don’t require a jury process and welcome artists who are just getting started. They can be a great way to test the waters without committing to a large, expensive art fair.

But before you gather up your extra paintings and head out the door on Saturday morning, you have some decisions to make. Quite a few, actually.

What are you going to sell?

Will you offer only original artwork? Or would you like to sell prints and note cards, too? Or perhaps throw in some mugs? Or stickers? Or magnets?

If you’re selling prints, will you frame them? Will you mat them? Or simply package them with backing boards in protective sleeves? You’ll need packaging for your note cards, too.

And, of course, before you place an order, you’ll need to photograph your artwork in good light, with no reflections. I've found photos taken with my iPhone to be just as good, if not better (and certainly more convenient) than my fancy camera.

How many should you order? That’s a tricky question, especially for your first show. Ordering larger quantities may lower your per-item cost, but it also means spending more money upfront. Think about how much you’re comfortable investing and whether you have room to store whatever doesn’t sell. Make sure to order your products well ahead of time.

Remember, this is your first rodeo, as my daughter says. You don’t have to offer everything. A smaller selection might make your first show a lot easier to manage.

What should you charge?

Pricing is one of the hardest parts of selling art. At least I think so!

Before deciding on prices, consider the event and its likely audience. Visit similar shows if you can, and look at what other artists charge for comparable work.

Remember to account for your time, materials, printing, packaging, entrance fees and other expenses. Selling a $20 print doesn’t mean you’ve made $20.

And just because you sold your prints for $20 at one show doesn't mean you have to charge $20 at the next show. Think about who's likely to attend each event when setting your prices.

I've also learned that customers like to see prices on individual pieces. A couple of general pricing signs on your table might be easier, but people often overlook them. And some customers are reluctant to ask how much something costs.

Finally, don’t assume that lower prices automatically mean more sales. I’ve learned that lesson firsthand.

How will you display everything?

Now imagine your booth or table. What kind of impression do you want to give to the customer as they approach?

Will you hang your paintings or display them on tabletop easels? If you’re selling prints and note cards, you’ll want baskets, bins or racks that allow customers to flip through them easily.

Think about how you want your display to look. Do you want a holiday theme? A simple, clean presentation? A colorful assortment of everything you’ve made? Maybe a look that aligns with your style?

You’ll also want signage with your prices and perhaps a sign identifying you or your art business. Business cards are useful, too, especially for people who aren’t ready to purchase something that day.

I highly recommend setting up your display at home before the show. You’ll quickly discover what fits, what doesn’t and what you may have forgotten. It’s much easier to make adjustments in your living room than in a crowded gymnasium at 8 a.m.

And check what the event provides. Will you need to bring your own tables and chairs? What about tablecloth(s)? Is it indoors or outdoors? If it’s outside, you’ll probably need a tent and a way to secure it.

How will people pay you?

Cash is easy, but don’t assume everyone carries it. Decide whether you’ll accept credit cards, Venmo or other electronic payments.

Square offers ways to accept credit cards using a compatible phone or a separate card reader. Some options have no upfront hardware cost, although you’ll pay processing fees on transactions. If you use Venmo, consider printing a QR code that customers can scan.

Whatever you choose, set everything up and test it before the event. You don’t want to troubleshoot your payment system while someone is standing in front of you, ready to buy. Also make sure there will either be wi-fi available or that your phone has coverage at the event.

Bring cash in small denominations so you can make change. Decide whether you’ll provide receipts and have bags or other packaging ready for purchases.

One more important detail: research the sales tax requirements where you’ll be selling. You may need to register to collect sales tax, and you’ll want to decide whether to add it at checkout or include it in your displayed prices.

Don't forget to keep track of what you sell. Bring a simple inventory list with prices and quantities. You can check off items as they are sold, which will help you reconcile your sales afterward, especially when you're selling originals, prints and cards at different price points.

And don't assume you will have access to electricity. Some events charge extra for electricity (if it's even available). Instead, bring a fully charged portable power bank; you don't want your phone going dead right before a big sale!

Don’t forget about yourself!

After all that preparation, it’s easy to forget that you’ll be spending several hours at the show, too.

Bring beverages, snacks and perhaps a book or something else to occupy yourself during slower periods. Hand lotion and sanitizer are handy, particularly when you’re handling money and packaging all day. And don’t forget to dress comfortably. These can be some very long days!

I also recommend keeping a small notebook nearby. You’ll inevitably think of something you wish you’d brought, a better way to arrange your display or a product you’d like to offer next time. Write it down while it’s fresh in your mind.

And pay attention to what people respond to. Which pieces catch their eye? What questions do they ask? Are they interested in originals or reproductions?

I’ve found that what people don’t buy can be just as interesting as what they do. Sometimes a piece I think will be a big hit barely gets a second glance, while something I almost left at home attracts all kinds of attention.

That’s part of what makes these smaller shows so useful. You get to see how people respond to your work, talk with potential customers and learn a little more about what might sell.

And if you come home with more artwork than you hoped? Well, at least you won’t have to make quite as much inventory for the next show!

I've put together Ready, Set, Show!, a six-page printable checklist to help you prepare for your first (or next) art show. It will help you get organized, from inventory and packaging to booth setup and all those little things that are so easy to forget. It's included with your Inside the Atelier membership and is also available separately.

Explore Ready, Set, Show!

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Charles Sovek: Lessons Worth Rediscovering

Years ago, when I was dipping my toes back into painting, I discovered Charles Sovek and regularly visited his website. It was one of my favorite resources, packed with lessons about color, composition, values, light and all sorts of other painting fundamentals.

What I particularly appreciated was how he explained things. His lessons were basic but comprehensive, and he had a wonderful ability to make even complicated concepts easy to understand. You didn’t need an art degree (which I don't have) to follow along, and you could actually put what you learned to use.

Recently, I went looking for his website again and discovered that it was no longer available. I was distraught! Fortunately, after some digging, I found a version preserved by the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. And I’m delighted to be able to share it with you!

Charles Sovek (1937–2007) was an American painter, author and teacher who worked in oils, acrylics, gouache and watercolor. He studied at several art schools, including the Art Students League of New York, and spent decades painting, teaching workshops and writing about art.

His paintings are wonderful in their own right. He painted landscapes, still lifes, figures and everyday scenes with lively brushwork and a terrific sense of color and light. But it was his generosity as a teacher that made his website such a treasure.

One of my favorite sections was Lessons from the Easel, where he explored subjects ranging from colorful flesh tones and outdoor figure painting to interpreting photographs and rescuing paintings that weren’t quite working. He also offered The Basics, a collection of lessons on the fundamentals of painting, along with articles and observations about making art.

And while Sovek often demonstrated his techniques in oil, much of what he taught applies equally well to acrylics, gouache and other painting media.

He also wrote several instructional books, including Painting Indoors, Catching Light in Your Paintings, Oil Painting: Develop Your Natural Ability and Keying Your Paintings. They’re worth looking for if you enjoy art books.

If you have some time, I highly recommend exploring his archived website. I'm delighted I was able to dig up his lessons again, and I hope you enjoy discovering them, too.

Explore Charles Sovek's website on the Wayback Machine

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