Describe your Art - The Story that Sells it!

• SHORT DESCRIPTION -
  While leaving this blank is technically fine, a sentence encouraging clients to read more would be better. 
  
  Don't state the obvious - for example, don't say "title of the art by artist's name" - all that information is already there.
  
  Don't write "Fairy Wren on a branch" - we can see what it is! (BORING!)
  
  
• DESCRIPTION - is the full story.
  You can write as many sentences or paragraphs as needed to give more detail and explain more about the subject or reasons you painted this piece. You might talk about the inspiration behind the work and the feeling it brings out in you.
  
  Don't use the same sentence that you've already used in the Short Description.
  
  Everything you write in the description helps the buyer understand more about the art hopefully inspiring them to press the Add To Cart button! It doesn't have to be written by an intellectual (unless you are one) so no mere mortal can understand what you are saying - it just has to be written in words that will help buyers understand and enjoy your work and encourage them to get excited enough to buy.
  
  List the Edition details if limited, like this...   Limited Edition of 100 only
  
  
• IF THIS AN ORIGINAL FOR SALE
  it is important that you tell the client exactly what you are offering
  Add this to the DESCRIPTION - Not the Short Description

  To try and maintain consistency on the site please list this information in this form...

  • Substrate - Canvas, Linen, paper or whatever you have painted on
  • Media - Inks, pastels, oils etc
  • Artwork size - XX (h) x YY (w) cm  for consistency - Height x Width always
  • Framed Size - XX (h) x YY (w) cm  for consistency - Height x Width always
  • Frame style -  Describe the frame, matting etc, and upload photos of the frame where possible 

Here's a real example from the website - De Gillett and a reproduction of her artwork "Opaline"

SHORT - Australian opals are so incredibly complex; it's taken me many, many attempts, and many layers of paint to capture them on canvas. Persistence is my middle name! 

MAIN - I love the way really wet paints interact. The flows and transparencies bloom and develop as it dries, allowing for complexities so unique I couldn't reproduce them if I tried.

Opals are just so preciously unique themselves that it seems only right to use my self-developed technique of "gesso soup" to make them appear on canvas in all their magnificence. It was burying gold in those layers that finally solved the riddle.

REMEMBER THIS - The more effort you put in here, the greater the chance of someone being turned into a buyer!  

Points to remember...

• Is this description for the original or the reproductions?
  If you are describing the artwork on the reproductions page, then don't talk about the original unless it is something like "The original (was purchased by) (won such and such award), (now lives in a private collection)" or "The original was painted on canvas using acrylics and the reproductions show the texture and tone perfectly".
  
  If this description is about the reproductions then focus on the image, the content of the art, and the story of why you painted it.
  
  Most importantly, ensure the client knows exactly what they are buying.
  
  
• Describe the artwork in an exciting way without simply stating what it is we are looking at.
  For example... if the artwork is of a Fairy Wren on a branch, write something that people can relate to like "One of the most beautiful little birds in Australia is the Splendid Fairy Wren. This little fellow is enjoying a rest among some native flowers." Then add more information to that. 
  
  
• DO write as much as you can to help involve your potential buyer. There's plenty of room on the page. This description is your silent salesperson! In the real world where you can stand beside someone as they admire your art, you can answer their questions, explain the story behind the piece, and help them decide to purchase.

  Online sales are different - you must provide the answers to their questions in writing, in a way that allows them to understand the art and still get excited enough to buy.

Here's what I recommend... before filling in your online stories...

• Open a Word document or Google Doc and write them offline so you consider carefully everything you write.
  
  
• If you can, ask someone you know to read them and see if it all makes sense.
  
  
• SPELLCHECK! Be sure that all the spelling is correct and check your grammar as well. Having someone proofread your work is ideal because we often get caught up in the moment, read and re-read the same thing, and miss something really obvious! What makes sense to us, may not be easily understood by someone else. Try GRAMMERLY
  
  
• Then... when you are totally happy with your work, go and edit your product in your Dashboard.
  
  

 DO YOU OFFER ENHANCEMENTS TO THE REPRODUCTIONS?

If you give the purchaser the option to have gold leaf/foil or texture or other painted enhancements to the reproduction then use wording something like this in your long description...

"The original of this piece was enhanced with Gold Leaf. if you would like your reproduction to have the same enhancement simply request that in the notes when you place your order. This will attract an extra charge and will be quoted first before any work is done. The price will depend on the size of the reproduction and the amount of Gold Leaf added and the artist will discuss the process with you before you decide. Once completed, your reproduction will be a unique piece."