Offensive comments about your art + how to handle them

As an artist who shares or sells your artwork, you hear a lot of feedback. Most of the time, the comments you’ll receive are appreciative and uplifting. Sometimes though, the comments are offensive — even if that person means well. In this blog post we’ll talk about a few common offensive comments about your artwork and how to handle them. 

I also have a video where I cover these same comments. If you’re a video person instead of a reader, feel free to watch it here 🙂

“Anyone could do that.”

This comment is offensive because it undermines your skill as an artist. If you have a simplistic style, do abstract work, or paint common subject matter, this may be something you hear. 

And maybe, anyone COULD do it. 

But they didn’t. 

More goes into a piece of artwork than the actual artistic skill or talent. It takes time to learn a skill or art style. It takes materials to make the art. It takes effort to post it online. It takes connections to get into an art show to present the work. It takes money to pay for ads to get your artwork seen. It takes copywriting or storytelling skills to talk about your art. It takes creativity to come up with the ideas and strategies. 

So maybe anyone could draw what you drew. BUT THEY DIDN’T. And they didn’t do all the other behind the scenes work that goes along with it either. 

Of course you may not want to say “but you didn’t” to someone in the moment when they make this remark — unless you don’t care about being rude back to them. But it’s a good thing to remember for your own sake. 

 “It’s too expensive.”

Saying your artwork is too expensive hurts a lot of feelings because what it feels like they’re saying is “your artwork isn’t worth the money.” 

But truly what that comment means is “I can’t afford it right now,” or maybe “I don’t want it bad enough to pay that amount.” 

Your art is not too expensive.

They are just too poor to buy it.

Harsh, but true. 

It’s important to remember that what people consider cheap, expensive, or affordable is all subjective and relative. For instance, if someone makes $100,000 a year, a painting that costs $100 is probably not expensive to them. If someone is unemployed, a painting that costs $100 is probably very expensive. 

Even if you sell a painting for a million dollars, that price will be easily affordable for someone. 

Your work doesn’t have to be affordable for everyone. And it shouldn’t be.

But you can make it easy with a pricing ladder.

A pricing ladder is a marketing skill every business uses. It means you have different offers at different levels of pricing. 

My pricing ladder looks like this: Bookmarks, stickers, and pins are $5. Prints are $27. Mugs, notebooks, and candles are $39. The only original I have for sale right now is $300. 

So when someone says a print for $27 is too expensive, I say, “That’s okay, I have pins for $5 as well!” This makes my work affordable for everyone, in a way. But if you pay a little, you get something little. If you pay a lot, you get something big and special. 

If someone thinks $5 is too expensive, they just don’t want my artwork that bad. And that’s okay too. My art is not a good fit for everyone. Yours isn’t either. Move on.

Someone will want your art so much that they will pay anything to get it. Another person will never want your art no matter how cheap it is.

When someone says, “Oh well maybe when I get paid,” or something like, “Wait til I get my next paycheck,” that’s okay too. Let these people be. Give them your business card or website and when they’re ready to buy from you they will. 

“Get a real job.”

No one ever says this explicitly. They’re nicer about it usually, with comments like “Well what are you gonna do if it doesn’t work out?” or maybe “Okay but what do you really do,” or even “Oh well what does your husband do?” Basically how do you pay your bills because I really don’t trust that it’s the art. 

These people usually mean well and are just trying to look out for you. 

But it often feels like they don’t believe you can be successful as an artist, or they don’t trust that you are currently successful as an artist. 

Most of the time these people just don’t think there is money, success or stability in the arts in general and it’s not about you personally. 

These people are just pessimistic and don’t have faith in their dreams or talents. Don’t let them talk you into settling for a “realistic” job or a 9-5 career. Being boring or miserable is not required for success! People who make any variation of this comment usually are just concerned for your wellbeing — even so, they’re a wet blanket. Don’t let these Debbie Downers get you down. 

Many people make their full time income selling art. 

Many artists are already doing great work without going to art school or being overly “practical” by getting a more traditional job.

You can be a rich artist, a relaxed artist, an organized artist, or any kind of artist you want. 

What other comments have you heard?

There are so many offensive comments that could be added to this list. Artists hear a lot of criticism, and not all of it is constructive. 

You don’t have to listen to these comments and most certainly don’t take them to heart. Remember that you don’t need anyone’s support on your art journey and you are plenty strong enough to support yourself!

What negative comments have you heard in your time as an artist? Leave them in the comments below.