Where to sell paintings in the UK in 2026: commissions compared

If you paint, you've probably asked where you can actually sell your work without losing half of every sale. There are more options than ever, and the fees vary enormously.

Here's a plain-English comparison of the main routes UK artists use in 2026. Fees change, so always check each site's own terms before you sign up.

Big online galleries

Saatchi Art and Singulart reach large international audiences, but take a big share: Saatchi Art's commission is reported at around 40%, and Singulart at around 50% plus a subscription. Artfinder's commission is reported between roughly 40% and 50% depending on your plan.

The trade-off is reach. These sites spend heavily on advertising, but you have to price high enough to cover the cut, which can make your work look expensive next to the same painting sold direct.

A 40–50% commission means a £500 painting earns you £250–£300.

Etsy and marketplaces

Etsy's fees are much lower — a transaction fee of around 6.5% plus a small listing fee — but originals compete with prints, crafts and paid ads, and buyers are often hunting for bargains.

Your own website and social media

A personal site and Instagram or TikTok cost little and keep 100% of the sale, but you have to bring every visitor yourself. Many artists combine them with a listing elsewhere.

0% commission galleries

A growing number of UK sites take no commission at all. artistgallery is one: listing is free, buyers message you directly, and you keep every pound. There's an optional £10 a month Artist Spotlight for extra profile features, but nothing is taken from sales.

The honest downside of smaller free galleries is traffic — they are newer and smaller than the big names, so sharing your profile link yourself makes a real difference.

Which should you choose?

Most artists don't pick just one. A sensible mix is a free 0% listing, your own social media, and perhaps one large gallery for reach. Track where your enquiries actually come from, and drop what doesn't work.

You can create a free artistgallery profile and upload up to 15 paintings from the For Artists page.