Your basic investment needs to be made in buying paints, canvasses, frames and other stationery that you may need.

For each painting, you need to spend approximately Rs. 700. Basic, good quality paint costs about Rs. 250. Remember, you will need more than one colour.

A 20 by 24 inch canvas costs Rs. 500 to Rs. 700. Frames vary in cost depending upon the quality and styles that you prefer. Wooden frames are more expensive than the synthetic frames.

Do proper research to get cheapest rates for the frames. Don't go to main street stores that sell paintings and frames.

Also Read: Want to Build Contacts? Go Online!

Building Contacts

Speak to several art dealers to find the right one who will give you a good price for your paintings and does not keep much of a price cut.

When you starting off, the dealer may ask for a larger cut, but you can always negotiate.

Art dealers, on an average, charge 30 to 40 percent commission on each painting. You need to constantly keep track of art galleries that are open to new artists.

Famous art galleries have a huge waiting list, so you can always begin exhibiting in one of the lesser known galleries.

Some five star hotels like The Oberoi have a gallery devoted to new artists. You can display your paintings for free. The only catch is, you need to donate two of your paintings to them.

Once you have managed to secure a gallery, you need to do a little bit of publicity in the newspapers and tabloids. Contact the listings department in the newspaper if you want to publicise the exhibition.

If you have a successful first exhibition, it will be easier for you to establish contacts and attract private art collectors.

If you want to commercially create designs, logos, or cover pages, contact the art department of different publishing houses.