I promised collectors at a weekend show that I'd send them photos when a painting-in-progress is finished. When and how should I follow up?

Follow up proactively and early—don’t wait until the piece is complete. Send a short message (text or email) within a day or two thanking them for their interest and letting them know you’re still working on it, along with a quick process photo or video. This keeps you top-of-mind and shows you’re thinking about them. If you estimate the work will be done within a week, send one update mid-week, then the final images once complete. Let the conversation flow naturally from there—they may ask for daily updates or be happy to wait. The key is to reach out first and stay engaged.

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Asked by an artist who met interested buyers at live shows · Answered by Juan · Office Hours · 2026-06-09