Sold original Painting - can I sell Prints of it?

[Tlara]

Hi, I'm new to selling art (print on demand) online. I use to sell via Galleries, but I'm not extrovert enough and maybe this is the solution for me.

Question: I sold a Painting (original) for 1800 dollars some years ago. I don't remember if I told the buyer or gallery that I wouldn't sell copies/prints but I don't think so.

Would you offer such a painting on Fine-Art-America? Or would it be wrong without asking the buyer of the painting first?

[DavidK]

Assuming you live in the US or Canada and at the time of sale did not explicitly sell or license your copyrights along with the piece then you can legally do whatever you wish. The question is more of an ethical one rather than legal. I would certainly ask the buyer if they have any objections, particularly if they might be future purchasers of your work.

[Tlara]

Thank you David. I think you're right. I live in Europe. Maybe Fine-Art-America is the wrong place for me. I just thought it was the biggest site (most traffic)

[obj owl]

This may be useful to you
https://www.dacs.org.uk/knowledge-base/frequently-asked-questions#FAQ146

[ShadySue]

Thank you David. I think you're right. I live in Europe. Maybe Fine-Art-America is the wrong place for me. I just thought it was the biggest site (most traffic)

I think that's right, not aware of any better site for your purpose.
However, by far the most buyers are from the US. Also you will benefit by doing your own marketing, as they don't do much. I do pick up occasional sales with no marketing at all; but some of the most successful sellers seem to have no searchable caption or keywords, they are just using FAA for fulfilment. Shipping can be pretty expensive.

[memakephoto]

As the artist you are the copyright holder not the person that purchased the artwork. They have no legal basis to stop you and in fact if they're smart they would be more than happy about you selling copies. They have the original so the more exposure the work gets the higher the value of the original. At worst, having prints for sale will not negatively effect the original's sale price and if it gains some renown they get the bragging rights for having the real deal.

[Tlara]

This may be useful to you
https://www.dacs.org.uk/knowledge-base/frequently-asked-questions#FAQ146

Thank you!

[Tlara]

Thank you David. I think you're right. I live in Europe. Maybe Fine-Art-America is the wrong place for me. I just thought it was the biggest site (most traffic)

I think that's right, not aware of any better site for your purpose.
However, by far the most buyers are from the US. Also you will benefit by doing your own marketing, as they don't do much. I do pick up occasional sales with no marketing at all; but some of the most successful sellers seem to have no searchable caption or keywords, they are just using FAA for fulfilment. Shipping can be pretty expensive.

It's nice with some insights of how it works. Thanks ShadySue. Are you from Europe? Do you sell on more sites?
I think the shipping is a bit overwhelming. Once I participated in BP Award UK and the price for shipping just way overruled the fun of participating. Now I wouldn't support a competition sponsered by BP... so much clevere

[Tlara]

As the artist you are the copyright holder not the person that purchased the artwork. They have no legal basis to stop you and in fact if they're smart they would be more than happy about you selling copies. They have the original so the more exposure the work gets the higher the value of the original. At worst, having prints for sale will not negatively effect the original's sale price and if it gains some renown they get the bragging rights for having the real deal.

Memakephoto thanks a lot. That is an awesome point of view. I'm still fighting a bit commercializing my art. I once got through a tough censured exhibition with a lot of recognition afterwards. But the selling AND me painting is decreasing. Mainly because I hate attention.

So I think it's time to stop thoughts about being non commercialized and take the jump into a new frame of mind. I still fear that my paintings will drop in price. But maybe the prints on mugs, canvases etc. will help me out (if i'm lucky) and hopefully you're right! Thanks a lot