Large-size oil portrait painting on canvas – African contemporary art.

Artist Business Series: Pricing • Marketing • Social Media • Portfolio Building

Chembx - www.chembx.com
WhatsApp: +2348080310051

Welcome to my Artist Business Series — short, practical guides to help portrait and fine-art makers in Nigeria grow their business.

In this post, we’ll cover:

How much should I charge for my portrait?
Instagram for artists in Nigeria
Best ways to ship your art in Nigeria safely

1. How much should I charge for my portrait?

Pricing artwork can feel tricky, but with a simple formula you can calculate fair and consistent prices.

Formula:
Price = Materials + (Hourly rate × Hours) + Overheads + Profit margin

Step-by-step

Materials: canvas, paints, frame, varnish
Hourly rate: decide how much your time is worth (₦2,000 – ₦10,000/hr depending on skill and demand)
Hours: estimate realistically, including sketching, revisions, painting, finishing
Overheads: studio rent, utilities, tools (add 5–15%)
Profit margin: 10–30% depending on exclusivity

Example (16×20 inch oil portrait):

Materials: ₦8,000
Time: 20 hours × ₦4,000 = ₦80,000
Overheads (10%): ₦8,800
Subtotal: ₦96,800
Profit (20%): ₦19,360
Total Price: ₦116,160

Tips:

Offer tiered packages (sketch, unframed painting, framed work).
Collect 30–50% deposit before starting.
Add rush fees for urgent deadlines.
Review and increase prices yearly as your brand grows.

2. Instagram for Artists in Nigeria

Instagram is one of the best places to showcase your art, gain clients, and grow your brand.

Profile basics

Switch to a Business or Creator account.
Use a clear profile photo (your logo or you at work).
Write a bio: what you do + where you deliver + call-to-action (e.g., “Commission via WhatsApp”).
Add your website link (chembx.com).

Content that works

Time-lapse process videos (Reels).
Before & after: sketch → finished piece.
Client testimonials and photos with artwork.
Pricing and commissioning posts.

Local growth tips

Use local hashtags: #NigerianArtist #LagosArtist #NaijaArt #PortraitArtist.
Post at Nigerian peak times: lunchtime or evening.
Collaborate with influencers, photographers, small businesses.
Make payments easy: bank transfer, mobile wallet, USSD.

Engagement tips

Respond to DMs fast (many deals close via WhatsApp).
Create Highlights: Portfolio, Prices, Shipping, Reviews.
Repurpose one artwork into 10+ posts (reel, photos, stories, testimonial).

3. Best Ways to Ship Your Art in Nigeria Safely

Shipping safely is critical for protecting your work and your reputation.

Packing checklist

Clean artwork before packing.
Wrap surface with tissue/glassine paper.
Use cardboard corner protectors.
Add rigid backing (cardboard or plywood).
Wrap in 2–3 layers of bubble wrap.
Use the double-box method (inner box + outer box with padding).
Label “Fragile” and include sender & receiver details inside and outside.

Insurance & documents

Insure valuable artworks.
Add invoice/packing list for clients.
Take timestamped photos before shipping.

Courier tips

Choose reliable couriers with tracking.
Offer clients delivery options: standard, express, insured.
For Lagos customers, consider hand delivery for extra trust.

Final Thoughts

As artists, we need to master not only creativity but also the business side of art.

👉 Whether it’s pricing fairly, marketing on Instagram, or shipping securely, these steps help you grow your career and attract serious buyers.

📌 For commissions or templates (pricing sheet, content calendar, packing checklist):
Chembx — www.chembx.com
WhatsApp: +2348080310051

Artist Business Series — Pricing, Marketing, Social Media & Portfolio Building

Artist Business Series: Pricing • Marketing • Social Media • Portfolio Building

Short, practical posts to help portrait and fine-art makers turn creativity into income. Below: how to price a portrait, use Instagram in Nigeria, and ship artwork safely across Nigeria.

1. How much should I charge for my portrait?

Published: September 18, 2025 · Category: Pricing & Sales

Pricing art feels hard — but a simple formula makes it predictable and fair. Use this structure to create consistent quotes you can trust.

Simple pricing formula

Price = Materials + (Hourly rate × Hours) + Overheads + Profit margin

Step-by-step

Materials: canvas, paint, boards, frames, varnish — add real costs.
Hourly rate: set a value for your time (example: ₦2,000–₦10,000/hour depending on experience and market).
Hours: estimate realistically (sketching, revisions, painting, drying, finishing, packing).
Overheads: studio rent, utilities, tools amortization — add a small % (5–15%).
Profit margin: add 10–30% depending on demand and exclusivity.

Example — 16×20 inch oil portrait

Item	Cost (₦)
Materials (canvas, paint, varnish)	8,000
Time (20 hours × ₦4,000/hr)	80,000
Overheads (10%)	8,800
Subtotal	96,800
Profit (20%)	19,360
Total Price	₦116,160

Practical tips

Offer tiered options (basic sketch, full portrait unframed, framed & signed) so clients can choose price levels.
Be transparent with clients: show the breakdown when asked — people respect honesty.
Add rush fees for tight deadlines (e.g., +25% for delivery in under a week).
Collect a deposit (30–50%) before starting commissions.
Review prices yearly and raise them as your demand and skill grow.

Want a ready-to-use pricing spreadsheet for commissions? Save this post and message me to get one.

2. Instagram for artists in Nigeria — grow followers & sell more

Published: September 18, 2025 · Category: Social Media

Instagram is one of the best platforms for visual artists in Nigeria. Use it to showcase work, get commissions, and funnel buyers to WhatsApp or your website.

Profile basics

Switch to a Business or Creator account to get insights and contact buttons.
Use a clear profile image (logo or a portrait of you at work), and write a short bio: what you do, where you deliver, and a call-to-action (e.g., “Commission: WhatsApp +2348080310051”).
Add your website link (chembx.com) or a Linktree-style page if you have multiple links.

Content types that work

Process videos / reels: time-lapse painting, behind-the-scenes — reels get the most reach.
Before & after: sketch → finished portrait.
Client testimonials: photos of the client with the finished work (with permission).
Price & commissioning posts: clear call-to-action and examples of package tiers.

Local growth tactics (Nigeria-specific)

Use local hashtags + niche hashtags: e.g., #NigerianArtist #LagosArtist #NaijaArt #PortraitArtist #MadeInNigeria plus medium-specific tags like #OilPainting #PencilPortrait.
Post during local high-activity times (lunchtime and evenings Lagos time) and test which hour gives better engagement.
Collaborate with local influencers, photographers, or small businesses for cross-promotion.
Offer payment options used locally — bank transfer, USSD, and mobile wallets — and state them clearly in your DMs or link page.

Engagement & conversion

Respond quickly and politely to DMs; many commissions happen directly via WhatsApp.
Create story highlights: Portfolio, Prices, Shipping, Reviews, Process.
Use Instagram Shopping / tagged posts only if you have a catalogue — otherwise, use clear CTAs to direct people to WhatsApp or your site.

Tip: turn 1 well-shot finished portrait into 10 pieces of content (reel, 3 photos, 3 stories, testimonial, before/after, price post).

3. Best ways to ship your art in Nigeria safely

Published: September 18, 2025 · Category: Shipping & Fulfillment

Shipping artwork safely in Nigeria requires good packing, reliable couriers, and clear documentation. Protect the piece and your reputation — and add the cost into your quote.

Packing checklist

Clean the artwork: last check for dust, smudges, or loose edges.
Wrap the surface: use acid-free tissue or glassine paper for paintings/drawings.
Corner protection: use cardboard corner guards for framed pieces.
Rigid backing: place artwork between two sheets of corrugated board or plywood for rigidity.
Bubble wrap: 2–3 layers around the whole package — pay attention to the frame and glass (if any).
Double-box method: place the protected artwork in a snug inner box with padding, then put the inner box into a larger outer box with more cushioning.
Seal & label: strong tape, “Fragile”, “This Side Up”, and include your contact + destination details printed on the box and inside (in case external label is damaged).

Insurance & documentation

Insure high-value pieces — ask the courier about declared value coverage or use a third-party insurer.
Include an invoice, packing list, and any export/customs paperwork if shipping internationally.
Photograph the packed item before handing to the courier (timestamped photos are best for claims).

Choosing a courier

Compare local and national couriers on reliability, tracking, and price. For fragile art, prioritize reputation and care over lowest price.
Offer delivery options to clients (standard, insured, express) and clearly show costs.
For fragile or framed works, consider white-glove or specialist art shipping services where available.

Local delivery tips (within Nigeria)

For inter-state shipping, pack for rough handling and temp changes — humidity can affect stretched canvases.
Use tracking and share the tracking number immediately with the buyer.
If possible, offer local pickup or hand-delivery for Lagos clients to avoid courier risks and create a better customer experience.

Add a shipping fee calculator to your sales page or quote to avoid surprises for clients.

Nigeria Artist Directory

Search This Blog

Thursday, September 18, 2025