How To Buy Art

 Simple Tips To Keep In Mind When Purchasing Your Next Piece of Art

Buying a piece of art is absolutely nothing like buying a pair of shoes. Sometimes, buying shoes is like love at first sight. You buy a pair simply because it looks nice, it's fashionable, and it's well… comfortable.

Buying art, however, is an entirely different ball game! After all, you cannot just approach an art dealer, point to an artwork and say “Excuse me, do you have this in size 7 and in red?” This will not do. There are several steps you have to go through and if you start to feel that it’s troublesome, don’t. Think of it this way – the procedures involved in buying art… is an art in itself.

Define your purpose

The first thing you need to take note of is WHY you’re thinking of buying an artwork. Is it a gift or for your own pleasure? Is it for home use or for your office? The answer to this question dictates the type of artwork already. Identify too where exactly the painting will be placed. Do you have enough space for the painting you have in mind? If you’re not sure, here’s a neat trick – make a newspaper cutout of the size of the painting you have in mind and then tape it to the wall or space you intend to hang the artwork. Does it fit?

State your budget

Everybody wants to be surrounded by beautiful things. Alas! Most of these beautiful things come with a hefty price tag. Define your budget. It’s important to have clear idea about just how much you want to spend. For one, this narrows down the type of artwork for selection. Further, keeping a specific price in mind will prevent you from being talked into buying art that may be just a bit too pricey for your current budget.

Gain more ‘Art Knowledge’

One of the most important things a novice art buyer should do is to know as much of the art world as he can so that he may discover new styles, concepts and varieties of art. For example, if you only know abstract art, then you’ll be missing out on all the other wonderful landscapes, seascapes, oil paintings, posters, art prints, and other art types available out there in the market.

Knowing more about art also empowers you to better deal with art professionals. By knowing the right terms, you can clearly communicate what art you are interested in and they can make the best suggestions and offers that will not only suit your taste but your budget as well.

Know the Artist

Ok, after defining your purpose, your budget, visiting galleries and talking to art professionals, you’ve zeroed in on the artwork of this GREAT artist. But, what is it about him that makes him great? Check the artist’s track record, career accomplishments, the various periods of his/her career, various works, exhibit reviews, sales history, etc.

One common mistake of novice art buyers is getting carried away by an artist's fame. An artist may be famous, but it doesn't mean that all of his works are worth buying and collecting. Believe it or not, even the greatest artists have really bad artworks that are of no value.

The Purchase

Ok, this is it. You have chosen the artwork you want to buy. Now you need to discuss payment options, documentation, return and exchange policies, and insurance with the seller. No you’re not being paranoid. After all that hard work, you simply need to ensure that the painting reaches you in ‘perfect health’!

Buying art may entail a lot of work but the journey is well worth it don’t you think? At the end of the day, when you look at that piece of art hanging on your wall you will feel enormous pride in saying “I chose that!”