Buying and collecting art is a wonderful hobby that provides us with hours of enjoyment and beautiful pieces to adorn our walls – but it can be expensive.
Regardless if you are just starting out with your artwork collection, or you are a seasoned collection with several pieces, there are ways of minimising the amount spent on artwork and purchasing some future big names on a budget.
Here’s our guide on how to buy art on a budget and a few things to watch out for when selecting your next piece.
Avoid art galleries
Who doesn’t enjoy a few hours strolling around an art gallery and admiring the array of wonderful artwork on display? It certainly is a great way to spend an afternoon, but purchasing artwork from art galleries can be expensive.
As many art galleries display the latest names to enter the art scene and those gaining in popularity, you can expect to pay far more for work from an artist who has had some of their pieces featured in an exhibition. Art galleries also work on commission for each piece they sell, so the price of each piece might be slightly inflated to accommodate the commission charge without the artist losing out.
If you do spot something you like, remember the name of the artist and try to seek them out directly or search for earlier pieces that they might have previously sold as they may be available for a more reasonable price.
Search for new names
One of the best ways of buying art on a budget is to purchase artwork from newcomers who have yet to make a name for themselves in the art world.
Not only will this allow you to pick up some exceptional pieces at very good prices, but you could possibly be in possession of a potentially big name in years to come. Art is most certainly an investment for the future, so by finding these future stars of the art world before they gain popularity, you could have some hidden gems hanging on your walls.
Check out university exhibitions
One of the best ways of finding the art world big names of the future is by visiting university art exhibitions. There are several art colleges and universities dotted around the UK, and each year they host an exhibition to showcase the work of student artists, with many pieces being up for grabs after the show has ended.
Non-art auctions
You might want to give Christie’s a swerve if you’re looking to buy art on a budget, but you can find some great pieces at auctions.
Avoiding those dedicated to the sale of art is an excellent way of saving a few pounds as this is where most of the high-value pieces go up for sale, but general auctions are great fun and a brilliant place for you to pick up a bargain.
Auctions allow browsing before the auction starts, so if you see something that piques your interest, then you’ve got the opportunity to do a little research online before the bidding starts to see what the piece is worth.
If the competition is low, then you could be in a strong position to bag yourself a bargain!
Online art shops
There are dozens of online stores dedicated to selling artwork, but it is essential that you stay savvy if you are considering purchasing a piece of art online, especially if the retailer is located overseas.
Some unscrupulous fraudsters are exceptionally skilled and scamming customers out of their hard-earned cash, so here’re a few things to consider if you’re looking to purchase art from them:
- Do they have any independent reviews on Trustpilot? Can you speak to a former customer to check that the business is genuine?
- Do they offer a money back guarantee on all purchases so you can return the piece if you are not 100% satisfied or if there is an issue with quality or damage?
- Are they responsive to phone calls and emails? If you can’t get hold of them prior to placing an order, then what would you do if there was a problem?
- Is their site secure? An easy way to tell is the small padlock icon featured at the beginning of a website URL and if there isn’t one present, then walk away
- If prices seem too good to be true, then they probably are. If you’re being offered a Van Gogh for a few hundred pounds, then it’s clearly a fake or print so move on.
Fraudsters and fakes are becoming increasingly difficult to spot, so if something doesn’t seem right then it likely isn’t. Art2Arts is one of the leading online art galleries where you can buy directly from the artist. We’re always happy to help with your search for the perfect piece of art and have a five-star Trustpilot rating, meaning you can shop with confidence.
