Creating a collection of art that speaks to you is a wonderful objective, but it may appear out of reach… and a bit perplexing. Where do you even begin? What is the distinction between a unique work, a limited-edition print, and a poster? Where do you go to buy art online when you don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on a single piece? In this helpful art-buying guide, we’ll answer these questions and more, including options for collecting on a tight budget.
Experiment with your preferences
Spend some time getting to know what kind of work you react to before plunging in and making a purchase. Make time on weekends to visit local art museums and galleries, read an art magazine, or go through a stack of art books.
Do you have a preference for specific styles, colors, or subjects? Do you like black-and-white photography, modern abstract art, or still-lifes? Take note of what you enjoy. Exploring and watching will boost your confidence while also introducing you to other genres and artists you would not have discovered otherwise.
Where to Buy
1. The fundamentals
Nothing beats viewing art for yourself, especially while you’re still honing your eye and discovering your taste. Student sales at art schools, auctions, antiques shows, and local galleries are all good locations to start your search. Use your own discretion and never feel compelled to purchase something.
2. Finding inexpensive art
In recent years, the world of art buying has grown considerably more democratic, owing in large part to the impact of online stores and auction sites offering well-curated art collections that are available no matter where you are and at any price point. Here are some of my favorite websites.
Art Forms
1. Original Artwork
Original work contains one-of-a-kind artwork such as paintings, sketches, sculptures, and more. Why is the pricing so high? To provide a literary analogy, consider what might happen if J.K. Rowling could only sell one copy of the Harry Potter books – what do you think it’s worth?
2. Prints
While not one of a kind, a real print is still an original work of art. The artist makes a unique picture on a medium such as wood, rubber, stone, or metal, applies color, and then prints it on paper using one of many processes.
Prints in limited quantities. A limited edition is one in which the artist limits the amount of prints made with a particular image. Of course, with artists employing digital media to create unique works, the borders are blurring, and a piece may be termed a limited-edition print even if it was generated or reproduced digitally — that is, it is not one of the varieties identified before.
3. Posters and reprints are available
A poster or replica is created when an artist makes an original piece and reproduces it without restricting the run. Posters are a terrific way to discover art because they are so inexpensive – once you have a small collection, you could even rotate out art annually.
4. Fine art photography
Because images are easily replicated by nature, it is up to the photographer to limit the amount of copies made with a specific image. Generally, the greater the price, the fewer prints available.
