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Ask an Expert: The Secrets of Buying Original Art
Whether you want a piece from an established artist or a pretty painting for a child’s room, this advice will help you buy with confidence
A single piece of art can transform a space from neutral to exciting and highly personal, and yet the idea of selecting and buying art often feels intimidating. How do you know what you like? Where should you shop? How much should you pay? Rather than rushing to the nearest gallery with your credit card, begin by working out your objectives. ‘People buy art for all sorts of reasons,’ says Scott Phillips of Rise Art. ‘They might be looking for a statement piece for their living room, or for the next new artist to invest in. They may have design ideas they want to complement, or they might want to support new local artists. Whatever the reason, it’s best to think about what’s important to you. Try to look at as much art as possible and see what speaks to you.’
More so than choosing a new sofa or sourcing a tap, buying an original artwork involves trusting your instincts. ‘Buying a unique piece requires some reflection,’ says Sarah Ryan of New Blood Art. ‘We’re so used to shopping around, doing our research and comparing the market before we buy a product, but we can’t really do that with art. That makes some people nervous. So it’s important to buy from a reputable gallery or site that has done all that research for you.’ It’s also important to seek help from the experts, so to get you started, three professionals share their advice.
Professional advice from:
Scott Phillips, one of the founders of online gallery Rise Art
Sarah Ryan, founder of online gallery New Blood Art
Soo Turner, founder of Turner Barnes Gallery
More so than choosing a new sofa or sourcing a tap, buying an original artwork involves trusting your instincts. ‘Buying a unique piece requires some reflection,’ says Sarah Ryan of New Blood Art. ‘We’re so used to shopping around, doing our research and comparing the market before we buy a product, but we can’t really do that with art. That makes some people nervous. So it’s important to buy from a reputable gallery or site that has done all that research for you.’ It’s also important to seek help from the experts, so to get you started, three professionals share their advice.
Professional advice from:
Scott Phillips, one of the founders of online gallery Rise Art
Sarah Ryan, founder of online gallery New Blood Art
Soo Turner, founder of Turner Barnes Gallery
Take advice
Gallery owners and online sites should know lots about the artists they sell, which will help you make your choice. They can also offer advice on which pieces might suit your space, so ask lots of questions. In addition, many art websites have quizzes and fun, psychological tests you can try to help identify your tastes and narrow down your search.
Gallery owners and online sites should know lots about the artists they sell, which will help you make your choice. They can also offer advice on which pieces might suit your space, so ask lots of questions. In addition, many art websites have quizzes and fun, psychological tests you can try to help identify your tastes and narrow down your search.
Start when you are ready
There is no ‘right’ moment to buy an artwork. ‘We have clients who design their homes around the artwork, and clients who buy artwork to fit in their existing space,’ says Scott Phillips. Both approaches work.
There is no ‘right’ moment to buy an artwork. ‘We have clients who design their homes around the artwork, and clients who buy artwork to fit in their existing space,’ says Scott Phillips. Both approaches work.
Listen to your heart…
‘I think the most important thing to consider is how each work makes you feel,’ says Scott. ‘If you’re going to live with it, make sure you absolutely love it.’ Beware of buying art just because you think it’s going to gain in value. ‘It could be a fantastic investment, but if you have to live with it each day and it doesn’t move you, you’ll end up being disappointed,’ he adds.
‘I think the most important thing to consider is how each work makes you feel,’ says Scott. ‘If you’re going to live with it, make sure you absolutely love it.’ Beware of buying art just because you think it’s going to gain in value. ‘It could be a fantastic investment, but if you have to live with it each day and it doesn’t move you, you’ll end up being disappointed,’ he adds.
…but take note of your head, too!
Sarah Ryan reckons we need to be a little pragmatic when buying art, using our hearts, but checking in with our heads, too. ‘Buying with an eye on whether the piece is going to increase in value is every bit as relevant as buying purely for love,’ she says, ‘but you should, of course, like the piece, too.’
It’s acceptable to buy art that fits with your existing furniture and fittings, too. ‘If you have a blank wall, it’s so much better to fill it with an original piece,’ she says. ‘If you also want that to go with your décor, fine! There’s no shame in choosing something that’s going to work with the aesthetic in your living room.’
Check out how to display art in your home
Sarah Ryan reckons we need to be a little pragmatic when buying art, using our hearts, but checking in with our heads, too. ‘Buying with an eye on whether the piece is going to increase in value is every bit as relevant as buying purely for love,’ she says, ‘but you should, of course, like the piece, too.’
It’s acceptable to buy art that fits with your existing furniture and fittings, too. ‘If you have a blank wall, it’s so much better to fill it with an original piece,’ she says. ‘If you also want that to go with your décor, fine! There’s no shame in choosing something that’s going to work with the aesthetic in your living room.’
Check out how to display art in your home
Work to your own budget
‘It’s a myth that art has to be expensive to be good,’ says Scott. ‘Whether you are looking to spend £100 or £10,000, you can find great works.’ If you are buying more than one piece, get clever with what you buy to make your budget stretch. ‘It may make sense to let the statement pieces really stand out, then select more affordable prints and unique works for bedrooms and non-public rooms,’ he says.
‘Go out looking with a budget in mind,’ adds Soo. ‘Remember, individual pieces of art can be affordable. One-off pieces can start as low as £50, and buying one at this price is totally valid, if you love it.’
‘It’s a myth that art has to be expensive to be good,’ says Scott. ‘Whether you are looking to spend £100 or £10,000, you can find great works.’ If you are buying more than one piece, get clever with what you buy to make your budget stretch. ‘It may make sense to let the statement pieces really stand out, then select more affordable prints and unique works for bedrooms and non-public rooms,’ he says.
‘Go out looking with a budget in mind,’ adds Soo. ‘Remember, individual pieces of art can be affordable. One-off pieces can start as low as £50, and buying one at this price is totally valid, if you love it.’
Understand the price
So, how do you know if an artwork is priced fairly? ‘It is a bit tricky,’ says Scott. ‘Often it’s hard to evaluate pricing and differentiate between artists, since artwork taste is so subjective.’
Sarah agrees, adding, ‘Most artists set their own prices and may have no clear method for doing so!’ The best idea is to shop at galleries and online sites that know and care about the artists they sell. ‘That way, whether you are looking for a piece for £200 or £2,000, you can be sure the work featured is there for a reason,’ says Scott. Expect to find information about the artist and some professional insights from the gallery owner or online site’s experts to explain why the work is valued at the price it’s listed for.
So, how do you know if an artwork is priced fairly? ‘It is a bit tricky,’ says Scott. ‘Often it’s hard to evaluate pricing and differentiate between artists, since artwork taste is so subjective.’
Sarah agrees, adding, ‘Most artists set their own prices and may have no clear method for doing so!’ The best idea is to shop at galleries and online sites that know and care about the artists they sell. ‘That way, whether you are looking for a piece for £200 or £2,000, you can be sure the work featured is there for a reason,’ says Scott. Expect to find information about the artist and some professional insights from the gallery owner or online site’s experts to explain why the work is valued at the price it’s listed for.
Spread the cost
For UK residents, the Own Art initiative allows you to spread the cost of buying artwork across monthly payments via participating galleries. Find out more on the Own Art website.
For UK residents, the Own Art initiative allows you to spread the cost of buying artwork across monthly payments via participating galleries. Find out more on the Own Art website.
Check out art online
‘One great thing about finding art online is you can buy quality artists at affordable prices, because websites have lower overheads than physical galleries,’ says Sarah.
If you are browsing art websites, be aware that many feature art that anyone can upload. ‘Ask who is behind the website,’ says Sarah. ‘Have they met the artist, seen them at work, visited their studio? Make sure you establish that the site is reputable and thoughtfully curated.’
‘One great thing about finding art online is you can buy quality artists at affordable prices, because websites have lower overheads than physical galleries,’ says Sarah.
If you are browsing art websites, be aware that many feature art that anyone can upload. ‘Ask who is behind the website,’ says Sarah. ‘Have they met the artist, seen them at work, visited their studio? Make sure you establish that the site is reputable and thoughtfully curated.’
Try before you buy
Many galleries and online sites will let you try the artwork in your home first. Some, such as Rise Art, will also let you rent it, crediting the majority of the rental income against the purchase if you decide to buy the piece. ‘It’s a great way to see art in your own home, to make sure it fits the space and that you love it, without having to pay a large sum up front,’ says Scott.
‘Don’t be put off by size,’ adds Soo. ‘Art seems to shrink once it’s on a wall in a house rather than a gallery. Just make sure you try it in your home first, before you buy.’
Explore how to understand scale and proportion
Many galleries and online sites will let you try the artwork in your home first. Some, such as Rise Art, will also let you rent it, crediting the majority of the rental income against the purchase if you decide to buy the piece. ‘It’s a great way to see art in your own home, to make sure it fits the space and that you love it, without having to pay a large sum up front,’ says Scott.
‘Don’t be put off by size,’ adds Soo. ‘Art seems to shrink once it’s on a wall in a house rather than a gallery. Just make sure you try it in your home first, before you buy.’
Explore how to understand scale and proportion
Look out for emerging artists
An excellent way to get an original piece of art at an affordable price is to buy from an emerging artist. ‘Artists price their art low to begin with and then increase it in response to demand,’ says Sarah. ‘There’s also then the chance the piece might gain in value as the artist matures. Either way, you have an original artwork on your wall. It’s win-win!’
TELL US…
Thinking of buying an original artwork? Or perhaps you already own one or two? Tell us in the Comments below.
An excellent way to get an original piece of art at an affordable price is to buy from an emerging artist. ‘Artists price their art low to begin with and then increase it in response to demand,’ says Sarah. ‘There’s also then the chance the piece might gain in value as the artist matures. Either way, you have an original artwork on your wall. It’s win-win!’
TELL US…
Thinking of buying an original artwork? Or perhaps you already own one or two? Tell us in the Comments below.
‘People always say they don’t know anything about art,’ says Soo Turner. ‘You don’t need to. Visit art galleries and fairs to see what’s out there and get a feel for what you like.’