Is it acceptable to haggle with an artist over the price of a painting?

It depends. If I was there trying to sell art, I would expect at least the price of the materials and the price for the work put into it. I don't suggest trying to haggle since some artists can be very...certain....of their work, but you can try. 8D As an artist, I personally would be willing to lower my price if I wasn't already low-balling it. xD; Although I would never try for a handmade one of a kind clay pot. They take way too long and theres a lot of time put into it.

I get offers all the time and many many lowball offers. Most of the lowballs are only though emails and I just ignore them. $400 does not sound like a low offer but sometimes we have a price already in mind of the lowest we would take for it if we needed to. I don't take it as rude. I guess it would depend on the person but I don't think it is rude. I do think it is annoying though when a person wants a commissioned work and want to pay less than the basic price and want the artist to put extra time and detail into a piece that normally is a lot more than a basic price. But that is a different story. When a painting is already done and we know what it cost and how long it took we can negotiate on what we feel we want to be paid. You never know if the painting has been for sell over a year and the artist would be happy to let it go for a little less. But it could also have just hit the market and the artist will want to be firm on the price for some time.

http://www.jacobbrest.com/

I have many friends in art school, and they really work hard on their work. So I'd say it is rude to try and haggle. However if you can convince the artist that you really connected with the work and assure them that it will have a good home where it will be appreciated then I'm sure you can get it for less. Just remember to be honest about your feelings toward the work if your going to try for a discount. That said some artists really don't care and will haggle anyway just to get some return.

Yes, I think it is acceptable to discuss the price of the painting. Recently, a woman asked me if she could buy the painting without the frame; she had to take the painting home on a plane, and the frame was too big...we agreed on a price sans frame, she helped me take the tacks out of the canvas/frame, we rolled up the painting. Later, she sent me a photo of the painting in the frame of her choice, looked good! everyone was satisfied. Also, I have reduced the cost on several paintings...because the buyer was so agreeable, so humorous, and really appreciated the painting. So, I think it is advisable to talk about the price. Sometimes the potential buyer may have a point...sometimes not...you can judge. Best luck.

Yeah, I'd generally be totally willing to haggle with my work. As long as you're respectful, and don't push too hard if the artist refuses, you should be fine. Just explain that you really love the piece, but you don't have 450 to spend on it.

nope as an artist i would accept it an offer of $50 would be insulting 400 isnt