5 tips for buying your first piece of art

For a newcomer to the art scene, buying art can be a daunting proposition. What size? What style? How much (the cost)? Which artist?

You will be bombarded with several questions, so it helps to be prepared. Here are a few tips for buying your first piece of art.  

1. Figure out what you like

It’s important to first figure out what you like. The best way to do this is to spend some time looking at different works of art. Visit museums, art galleries and art exhibitions in your local area. Additionally, you should visit websites that sell art and the personal websites of artists whom you’ve come across.

Throughout this process you are sure to come across some pieces that strike you as special. Maybe you have a connection with the subject or locations depicted in the artwork. Whatever it is, you’ll know it when you see it.

2. Learn the industry jargon

If you plan on buying art, it’s useful to know the definition of a few keys terms. Quite often, these terms can mean the difference between cheap, affordable and expensive art:

• Original Art - this refers to any art that is one-of-a-kind. Imagine if an author could only sell one copy of their novel. How much do you think the book would be worth? An artist can only profit once from original art.
• Reproduction - this is a copy of an original piece of art. For example, a poster of an original painting would be a reproduction. Another example is a digital print of a handmade fine art print.
• Limited Edition - an artist can set a limit for the number of prints they will make with a given image. Conversely, the artist may declare that there is no limit to the number of prints, and this is known as an Open Edition.
• Artist Proof - this was originally referred to a proof of a print, but nowadays it’s usually a first impression kept by the artist, outside the regular numbered edition and can make up 10-20% of a print run.

Framed print of limited edition Uncommon

3. Set a budget

You really need to set a budget in terms of what you can afford, and you have to be prepared to spend a little bit more. One longtime art collector shared this bit of advice:

“The things that I regret in purchasing [art] are not any works that I purchased, at least so far, but the works that I didn’t purchase. They were things just a little outside my price range but, man, I loved it and I didn’t buy it. And then I lost the opportunity.“

If you really love it, trust your instincts. Set a budget and be prepared to spend a little more because:

1. The extra budget will take care of shipping and insurance.
2. If it’s the something you really love but it’s a little bit outside of your price range, then you have some wiggle room to play with.