7 Essential Art Collecting Tips You Need to Know

Before you buy your first piece of art, learn these essential art collecting tips.

Art collecting is extremely personal. One person will prefer dark, surreal paintings, while another will be drawn to pastel scenes of flower gardens. It’s fun to look at different pieces and see what speaks to you.

Over time, you will start to get to know your style. For me, it’s hard to explain what speaks to me. Like true love, I know it when I see it.

But starting a great art collection isn’t only about learning what appeals to you, it’s also about understanding what makes artwork technically great, how prices are determined (and what you should pay!), and where to find unique treasures.

I am going to cover what you should consider when collecting art, how to determine your art collecting goals, and what makes for the best first pieces in a collection. I am basically going to cover all the art collecting tips I would have found helpful when I first started my collection.

This post is all about essential art collecting tips you should know before you start your collection.

Best Art Collecting Tips

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1. Define Your Goals

Why are you interested in collecting art? Is it to make your home more beautiful? (Maybe fill a bare spot on the wall or balance out the living room.) Is it to remind you of your passions or values? (i.e. art that relates to sailing, or your love of hummingbirds, or inspires you to think differently.) Is it to honor a certain artist or style? Some people become experts of the Hudson River Valley school of art, for example, and collect paintings by artists who represent the genre. Others love pop art or surrealism. I love buying art when I visit new places. Each piece has a story and brings back memories of all my travels.

By the end of your collection, what do you want the theme to be? Should it be eclectic or cohesive? Do you want to stick with a particular style? Jot down what matters to you. You might not have a clear idea yet and that’s okay. As you see more art, you will become more confident.

2. Set Your Budget

You can start collecting art on any budget. Just because it’s inexpensive, doesn’t mean it’s of poor quality. (See next point about how to spot quality art.) Decide how much money you’d like to set aside for your collection and keep to that budget. If you’re decorating your bedroom, for instance, set aside a certain amount for art. Try to find the best quality art for your budget.

If I was working with a budget of $1,000 and I loved pop art, I’d try to find an original that made my heart sing for that amount. If I only had $200, I’d still try to find an original from a lesser-known artist or I’d go with a nice print. There are so many buying options.

3. Learn How to Spot Quality vs. Junk

There are a ton of websites to buy art online. You can also buy art from galleries, art fairs, thrift stores, antique shops, artists’ studios, and a variety of other places. But how do you know what’s quality?

Each art genre has its artist superstars. Once you start honing in on exactly what you’d like to collect, it becomes much easier to assess what is considered quality. Talk with experts in your niche and get to know how to spot quality. If you want to collect Japanese pottery, for example, talk with gallery owners and have them explain why one vase costs thousands of dollars and another only fifty bucks.

This summer when I was in Nantucket, I learned what makes Nantucket lightship baskets so special. I learned who are the top basket artisans in the area, what characteristics make for a more expensive basket (use of materials, the providence of the basket, tight weaving, etc.), and the significance of the basket shapes, history, and so on. You’ll want to do the same thing for whatever you plan to collect.

Pay attention to the artist’s story, background, and accolades. Often it’s the story behind the art that creates its value. Art represents the legacy of the artist’s life and a snapshot in time. Picasso’s work is great because he innovated and came up with new ideas. Millions of artists can mimic the style of Picasso, but it took a genius to come up with the idea of cubism and bring it to life in the first place. This is why his work is so valuable.

The more you learn about art, the more beautiful it will become to you. It’s like wine or classical music. It takes time to cultivate good taste.

My favorite art collecting tip: Always buy the highest quality item for your budget. Think quality, not quantity.

4. Know the Difference Between Original and Mass Produced

Original artwork is one-of-a-kind and not mass-produced. Examples include oil or acrylic paintings, watercolors, drawings, or sculptures. When buying originals, I look for work that represents the artist’s dominant style. So if the artist specializes in oil paintings of pheasants, I’ll acquire one of those (instead of an experimental watercolor they did of flowers). But I also never buy something I’m not in love with. So if I really, really love the watercolor of the flowers, I’ll get it.

Prints are reproductions. Some work is produced as small-run “copies,” such as bronze castings (sculpture), lithographs, silkscreen printings, or giclee prints. Andy Warhol became famous for his silkscreen-print paintings of cans of Cambell’s Soup and Marilyn Monroe. Some artwork is only available as a “print”–such as digital art or photography. These works can still be very valuable, but multiple copies of a piece decrease its value (especially if you only own a copy).

Try to stay away from giclee prints of original paintings or drawings, if possible. (Giclee is just a fancy word for artwork printed on an inkjet printer.) If you like a higher-profile artist’s work, it may only be available as a giclee at an affordable price. At least look for limited-edition, signed, numbered prints, if you must go this route.

One caveat here: There are some beautiful prints that are extremely affordable. If you have a limited budget, don’t be ashamed to go with a print. You can still express your style and taste with a great print. Check out 19 Cheap Wall Art Prints That Actually Look Expensive.

5. Seek Out the Right Venues

Where you look for art should be based on what you’re looking for, your budget, and your risk tolerance. If you’re interested in investing in art, it’s best to align yourself with well-respected art dealers, well-known artists (with a clear sales history and collector base for their work), or premier auction houses. You’ll pay a premium, but it’s a more solid investment. (Note: This is NOT legal or financial advice. Make sure you consult with an expert before making any purchases.)

Most people, however, do not buy art for investment purposes. Most people buy art because they love it. That’s why I purchase art. I love to collect the work of emerging artists and I understand that the majority of the artwork I purchase probably will not go up over time. That’s a risk I’m willing to take.

Best Places to Find Art Online:

• $: For inexpensive wall art and art-imprinted home decor items, visit Society6.
• $$-$$$: For quality original paintings, photography, drawings, and sculpture, visit Saatchi Art.
• $-$$$: For artwork and artisan pieces, visit Etsy.
• $$-$$$$: For antique art, furniture, and estate jewelry, visit 1st Dibs.
• $$$-$$$$: For prestigious art auctions, visit Christie’s or  Sotheby’s.

Best Places to Find Art Offline:

• $-$$$$: Art fairs and festivals (check out America’s top art fairs).
• $-$$: Flea markets, thrift stores.
• $$-$$$$: Antique shops.
• $$-$$$$: Local art galleries, art dealers, and auction houses.
• $-$$$$: Directly from the artist.

6. Buy Your First Piece of Art (as a Collector!)

Art is everywhere. Whether it’s a handmade mug, a fruit bowl for the kitchen table, or handcrafted glass earrings, it’s likely you’ve already bought something made by an artist.

Once you view yourself as a collector, however, art takes on a whole new meaning. When you visit galleries and art fairs, you’ll have a mission with a purpose, which is to find that perfect piece of art to add to your collection.

What Should You Collect? Some Ideas to Get You Started:

Abstract Art

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Surreal Art

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Pop Art

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Impressionist Art

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Graffiti Art

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7. Care For Your Art

When you buy a new piece of art, ask how you should care for it. Some basics include: keep drawings and paintings out of direct sunlight; use UV-protective plexiglass when possible; use acid-free paper; store in a cool, dry place; have the piece properly framed or mounted. Always keep the certificate of authenticity in a safe place along with any receipts, art catalogs, or information about the artist. This supporting documentation can become incredibly helpful in establishing the piece’s origins and value in the future.

This post was all about art collecting tips to get you started on creating a fabulous collection.