Art, Buying Art, Decorating
How To Buy Art Online – 7 Tips To Guarantee You Get The Perfect Piece.
You see a piece of art online. You love it. You want to buy it. But there’s always some lingering doubts. Maybe it won’t fit the space? Maybe the colours won’t look the same in real life?
Well the good news is, nowadays it’s become increasingly popular to buy art online. Collecting art is like love at first sight. When you see something that resonates with you, you feel that tingling feeling—the urge to get to know more about the artist—and eventually to own the artwork. And this experience can still be had online – it doesn’t need to be in person.
With our ever-growing fixation to social media, we’ve never before had so much visual content at our fingertips. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest are practically designed to showcase art! As the art world goes digital, art becomes demystified and more accessible. This is why buying art online has is not only incredibly convenient, but is starting to become the status quo.
“But how do I start to buy art online?” you may ask. Here’s my top 8 tips to make sure the piece that arrives in the mail is perfect for your home.
1. Discover your style
With so much choice available, buying artwork online can seem a little daunting at first, especially if you haven’t yet discovered your personal taste. A great way to start is to gain a basic understanding of artistic styles and the different types of mediums available before you make a purchase – you’ll find lots of advice on our website too.
You can develop your taste by browsing through the internet or magazines to search for pieces and styling that catches your eye.
The following are great places to start the research process:
- Home and living magazines
- Interior design magazines / TV shows
- Pinterest (Try searching for something like ‘home décor’ and see where that takes you)
- Open homes
Following interior stylists and artists on Pinterest and Instagram is also a great idea once you’ve found some that you like. This will help hone your tastes, as well as being great sources of inspiration!
Of course, even though you may not be able to articulate your style, you’ll still know subconsciously when you see something that you connect with.
2. Plan your space
When shopping for art online, the first thing you need to know is what size piece you’re looking for – so you can be assured it’ll be the right fit for your home. Think about where the direct sunlight falls as that might affect the medium you choose, and also think about how you use your space.
Consider the following: is this the dominant wall? Does it get the sun? Is this space an area like a lounge or dining room where you’ll spend a lot of time, or a circulation space like a hallway or staircase that you’ll just be passing through.
If it an area that you sit and read quietly, or a space for entertaining dinner guests, then a piece to reflect the mood would be perfect.
You’ll also want to think about your furnishing. Is the piece intended for behind a couch or bed head, or does it have the whole wall to itself?
Its really useful to have a note of your wall dimensions, and preferred painting dimensions to hand when shopping online to make sure you’re browsing pieces that will fit.
Expert Tip: Print out a picture of the piece you’re considering and blu-tack it to your wall to your wall to give you a better idea of how it might look in the room. For larger pieces you can print out multiple segments and tape them together. I also recommend leaving your mockup on the wall at least for a day so you have a chance to get accustomed.
You can also checkout my complete guide on how to pick the perfect size artwork for your space here.
3. Match your décor
One of the best ways to add some personality to a living space is with artwork. If you’re looking for a piece to tie a room together then consider an artwork that picks out one or two key colours from your theme.
It’s important to plan how the piece will work with your current décor but bear in mind that your art will likely outlast your current styling. That’s why I recommend choosing art that speaks to you as well as just your décor.
Adding artwork to a room is also a great way to introduce colour without redecorating. A bright piece can instantly lighten a room or even provide a contrast to existing furniture and colours. It also will make a room appear lighter and more spacious. On the contrary, a darkly coloured painting will absorb light, making a rom look darker and bringing the walls in.
You can also improve the way you perceive the space with the art you choose. For instance, adding a tall narrow piece into a corridor or toilet can make what is typically a cramped space feel a lot bigger.
4. Who you are buying from?
Often the online sellers are dealers only serve as middlemen between the artist and the customer. Thus, earning a percentage of the price of each sale. If you choose to go down this route, make sure you verify the agent to make sure they are a legitimate reseller and as to what their relationship is with the original artist. You can also look into how long they have been in the business which would help in determining their ability and genuineness of their commitments.
There’s also been a surge in online marketplace site in recent years, such a Etsy or Fine Art America, which make is really easy for creators to list there products in one place where there’s proven traffic, reviews, and most importantly trust . This marketplace approach is great for connected consumers with artists big and small, but there is still a reliance on the platform as an intermediately (and of course they take their fee).
However, its best to buy directly from the artist. The artists themselves prefer it as it helps to facilitate direct interaction with the artist which is really encouraging feedback for their work and passion. You’ll also likely save money as the artist no longer needs to pay a middleman, gallery, or marketplace their commission.
Of course, this is easier for bigger artists who already have their name out there, for smaller up-and-coming artists its harder for them to be discovered.
5. Trust your intuition
With art, there’s a certain visceral connection. Its that feeling when you see a painting and you just ‘get it’. Everything about it, the colours, linework, the mood it makes you feel, these are the moments we crave when browsing art.
When it comes to pulling the trigger, you really don’t need to second guess yourself. If you’ve fallen in love with a piece, allow yourself to trust your intuition and go for it.
I’ve found myself talking myself out of those spontaneous art purchased, only to come back to that very same piece after months of research and optioneering.
6. Research the artist
Quality original art is not cheap, and like buying anything of value, it’s important to do your research.
Before making you purchase you should judge, cross-check and research about the artist. Check their other works, profile, and personal brand. See whether they have gained recognition locally, nationally, internationally, etc. if he is a part of any recognized artist forum or professional groups.
Most artists publish bios where you can gather insights into their creative processes and inspiration.
Knowing the story of the artist or the artwork brings an intimacy and value that goes beyond the visual interest and makes the piece that much more special.
7. Don’t be scared to ask questions
If you’ve researched the artist and still have some unanswered questions, make the most out of gallerists’ knowledge by asking them everything you can about that particular artist and piece.
Building a relationship with the gallerist is a great way to kickstart your own curated collection as they will be able to recommend future artworks by other artists based on your tastes.
Additionally, most artists are happy to take a phone call, or answer any question you may have in person. In our new age of social media and e-commerce, its even easier to connect with creators. Most artist with have a Facebook page, Instagram or Pinterest – some even their own website – so you’ve got multiple channels to reach them on.
Just don’t be afraid to reach out!
8. Accept that it will look different
Its almost guaranteed that when the artwork arrives it will look different to how it looked online (and possibly different to how you imagined it). This is perfectly normal, and a testament to how the perception of art is completely intertwined to its setting. The colours, shapes, and size of a space will all be reflected in the artwork, so you’ll never know really until you hang it up.
The best way to combat this is to ask to loan the artwork first before the purchase. Some galleries and artists will even allow you to exchange the piece once you’ve bought it and aren’t quite happy with it. You can also print out an image of the painting and tack it to your wall to get a better feel for things.
Of course, this is the live nature of art and should be embraced. There’s nothing better that a piece of art completely in harmony with its surroundings.
Conclusion
Buying out online should be a pleasurable experience. it doesn’t need to be stressful. With these 8 tips I hope you feel little more confident the next time you enter an online gallery.
Now that you have read the tips, you know that buying art online is not that difficult after all. What are you waiting for? It’s time to consider starting your own collection.
