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first gallery show I ever did, lovely space, grand people, and then the contract lands and buried in it, "artist responsible for all framing." Not just the work, every single frame, to their spec. Cost me nearly a grand before I'd sold a thing. I was young and chuffed to be there so I just said grand and ate it. Wouldn't do that now. What's the one that got you? The hidden cost, the surprise expense, the thing they slid into the small print that you only spotted after you'd signed. I know someone's got a better one than mine.

I just finished a 50x65cm interior piece for a client in Paris. Painted it over about six weeks, it came out well, one of those where everything clicked. She paid my price without blinking, €1800. Pleased with that part. Then she asked me to deliver it framed. And I thought yes, fine, I'll take care of it, I know a good framer. The frame cost €520. The glass alone was nearly €200. I ate that cost because I'd already quoted her a flat price and felt stupid going back. So my real rate for the painting dropped to €1280. And that's before the canvas, the oil, my time. I'm not sure what the solution is except to state it upfront: "Prix hors encadrement" and mean it. Or add a framing fee that's transparent. But I know myself, I'll forget to say it next time too, because I'm thinking about the painting and not the business of the painting. And then I'll be pissed off again. Anyone else have this? The hidden costs that feel too small to mention but add up to a real bite.