After 20 years of selling art at markets and art fairs, I’ve seen some absolute clangers.
Here are a few awkward artist habits that still make me wince, and if you catch yourself doing any of these, it’s time to stop.
Don’t do any of these art fair mistakes.
1. Ignoring Customers (Without Even Realising You’re Doing It)
There are all sorts of ways to ignore people, and most of them don’t feel rude when you’re the one doing them. But from the outside, they make you look disinterested or unfriendly.
If you’re reading, scrolling on your phone, deep in conversation, or just sitting there with a blank expression, people pick up on it fast. It doesn’t matter if you’re tired or just distracted, the impression you give is that you’re not bothered.
Even sketching can backfire if you’re too engrossed to look up. The point is to stay alert and look like you’re open to a chat. You don’t need to stand like a shop assistant, but you do need to be present.
A smile, a nod, or a quick “hello” is often all it takes to put someone at ease. If they feel welcome, they’ll hang around. If not, they’ll keep walking.
2. Off-Putting Signs That Chase People Away
Some artists cover their stall with warning signs. Don’t touch. No photos. Don’t copy. It might feel like you’re protecting yourself, but to most people, it just feels cold and a bit aggressive.
The irony is, the people who ignore boundaries are the same ones who ignore signs. So they don’t stop the bad behaviour anyway. All they do is put off the polite customers who were never a problem to begin with.
Even worse, when someone does cross the line, you end up feeling twice as annoyed — because they ignored your sign and did the thing you told them not to.
You’re better off dealing with problems as they come. Just ask politely if someone steps out of line. Keep the welcome open and deal with the odd idiot when it happens.
Pro Tip: Stop advertizing your website. It invites customers to put off a decision and walk away to ‘think about it’
3. Talking Too Much and Making It All About You
It’s easy to overtalk. Nerves, excitement, or just wanting to connect can get the better of you. But if you don’t give people time and space, they’ll feel pressured and leave.
Let them look. Be available. That’s enough.
When they do ask something, have your answers ready and keep them clear. This isn’t the time for a long backstory or a deep explanation of your process. Save that for when someone’s genuinely engaged — and even then, keep it short unless they lead it further.
The best way to keep a conversation natural is to ask questions, not just talk about yourself. That’s where most artists slip up. They make it all about themselves. Ego is the creative’s curse.
Sales are about the buyer, not the seller. Too many artists fail to understand this.
4. Talking About How Little You’ve Sold
Long quiet spells can mess with your head. When you’ve had no sales for hours, it’s easy to start feeling dejected, rejected, and sorry for yourself. But the worst thing you can do is start sharing that negativity with the next person who stops at your stall.
Saying things like “It’s been dead all day” or “You’re the first one to even look” might feel like venting. It only makes you sound miserable. That mood rubs off. No one wants to buy from someone who seems defeated.
How your stall feels matters just as much as what you’re selling. Stay upbeat. Even if you have to fake it a bit. Don’t drag customers into your bad day. It’s not their problem.
5. Looking Cold and Unapproachable
You don’t have to be a chatterbox to sell, but you do need to look friendly. Sitting there with a stony face or hiding behind sunglasses sends the wrong message. Customers can’t read your expression, and most will assume you don’t want to be bothered.
Even if you don’t feel like smiling, make the effort to look approachable. A neutral face can easily be mistaken for being fed up or disinterested. That’s enough to put people off stopping at all.
A small smile or a bit of eye contact goes a long way. If people feel welcome, they’re more likely to hang around and buy. If you look cold, they’ll walk straight past.
6. Complaining About Other Artists
It’s tempting to vent when things annoy you, but doing it in front of customers is a mistake. Knocking the stall next door, moaning about “cheap” work, or suggesting someone else’s art isn’t real art makes you look bitter.
Customers don’t want to hear it. They’re not there to referee arguments or listen to industry gossip. All they hear is negativity, and that negativity gets associated with you.
Even if you’re right, keep it to yourself. Focus on your own work and your own customers. A positive atmosphere sells far more than grumbling ever will.
7. Eating Behind the Stall
Nothing kills the atmosphere faster than eating in your art booth. No one wants to talk to someone with their mouth full.
It might be a long day, but mealtimes are better taken before or after the fair, or at least away from the stall. If you’re hungry, step aside for a break or be very discrete about it
Customers don’t want to watch you eat, and they definitely don’t want to interrupt your lunch to ask a price.
I used to work with guys who routinely drank a beer while they traded. Can you imagine how off-putting and unprofessional that was? It’s beyond me.
Final Thoughts
Selling art at fairs isn’t just about the work you bring, it’s about how you present yourself. Small habits can make a huge difference, and sometimes it’s the cringey little things that drive people away without you even noticing. The good news is, once you’re aware of them, they’re easy to fix.
If you want to dig deeper into what really works at art fairs and how to turn browsers into buyers, I’ve written it all down in my book Selling Art Made Simple
It’s packed with the practical advice I’ve learned from years of trading. If you’ve found this list useful, you’ll find plenty more strategies in the book to help you succeed.
Wanna know more about selling in art fairs? Check these out:
- What Size Art Sells Best? Frames and Apertures – FREE Chart
- Returns and Refunds at Art Fairs
- Cheap Art Display Panels: Make Your Own For Art Shows
- How to Sell Art on The Street: By a Street Artist
- What Kind of Art Sells Best? All The Secrets Revealed
- 7 Sales Props for Artists
- How to Make Prints of Your Art – Printing Art Explained in Detail
- How to Sign Art Prints Like a Pro
- Basic Tax Expences for Artists
- Art Business Checklist
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Hi, I’m Kevin Hayler
I’ve been selling my wildlife art and traveling the world for over 20 years, and if that sounds too good to be true, I’ve done it all without social media, art school, or galleries!
I can show you how to do it. You’ll find a wealth of info on my site, about selling art, drawing tips, lifestyle, reviews, travel, my portfolio, and more. Enjoy