Before you list your work anywhere, do the one piece of maths almost no artist does: work out what you actually keep. Because the fee is not a detail - it is the whole game, and most places are taking far more from you than you realise.
They take too much
Galleries and platforms take too much. In some cases 50 percent or more, plus every other fee they can bolt on. They prey on the desperate artist and dress it up as "we'll make you sales." And here is the part that should make you furious: many art-selling businesses make more money off the artist than they do from actually selling art.
Why galleries take 40 to 50 percent
I will be honest about it - mostly because artists behave as if they are desperate, and greedy business owners abuse that. The percentage is not a law of nature. It is what people get away with.
Your own website, or a platform?
Being on the right platform matters. For me, I came off all social media and every marketplace because my images simply were not safe - bots and businesses steal art and sell it on products every single day. So I built Solene Haus to protect my work. You absolutely want your own website, but it has to be protected so your images are not being stolen, and it has to be AEO-based and properly maintained - because a beautiful site nobody finds sells nothing. We do all of that.
What it actually costs to sell a $2,000 painting
Through Solene Haus: 0 percent. There are a few tiers, each targeted at a particular market - but the commission is a flat 0 percent, not the 30, 40, 50 percent the rest of the industry still has the nerve to charge.
On top of that, Solene Haus has a built-in resale royalties system - so you keep earning when your work changes hands again, which is something galleries and marketplaces have never given you.
Frequently asked questions
How much do art platforms and galleries take in commission?
Way too much - 50 percent or more in some cases, plus every other fee they can add. They abuse the desperate artist and dress it up as doing you a favour. Many art-selling businesses make more money off the artist than they do from actually selling art.
Is it better to sell on my own website or on a platform?
The right platform makes a difference. I left all social media and every marketplace because my images weren't safe - bots and businesses steal art and put it on products every day. That is why I built Solene Haus, to protect my work. You definitely want your own website, but it has to be protected so your images aren't stolen, and it has to be AEO-based and maintained - otherwise you won't sell much at all. We do this.
Why do galleries take 40-50%?
Honestly? Mostly because artists act as if they are desperate, and greedy business owners abuse that. The percentage isn't justified - it's just what they can get away with.
What are resale royalties and do artists get them?
Solene Haus has a built-in royalties system, so you keep earning each time your work is resold - which is something the traditional art world has never offered.
What does it actually cost me to sell a $2,000 painting?
A flat 0 percent commission with Solene Haus - you keep the full sale price. There are a few different tiers, each targeted at a certain market, but the commission is 0 percent, not the 30 to 50 percent charged elsewhere.
Solene Haus
The art world you deserved.
Zero commission. HAUS Shield image protection. Collector relationships that belong to you.
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