How to: Start collecting art
So you want to start collecting art? It can be daunting taking your first steps in your art collecting journey, so here’s our step-by-step guide to getting started.
Just keep looking
Developing your visual understanding of art, it one of the first stages of collecting art. It doesn’t mean you have to suddenly become an expert, but knowing what you like (and don’t like) is key to finding and buying art that you will want keep on your walls forever. When you first start looking, consider these questions about works that you see:
- What was my first reaction to this work?
- Why did I have that reaction?
- What do I like about it?
- What do I dislike about it?
Find artists that you love
Similar to the first point, the more you begin to understand your taste, you will start to identify artists you love. Visit galleries, open studios, art talks and events. If you’re searching online, screenshot works you see that you like and start to get a visual mood board of artists and styles that appeal to you. Once you have discovered them you can sign up to their or their gallery’s mailing lists or follow them on social media to stay in the loop of their upcoming exhibitions and releases. Enjoy getting to know artists, even if it’s from afar. What is their story? What is their inspiration? What are their values?
Know your budget
Don’t be afraid to set yourself a budget (and stick to it!) It’s important to outline how much you want to spend on works of art that is within your means. Yes, on occasion you might fall in love with a work that’s a little more than you would like to spend and it’s up to you to decide how much you want it, but on the whole if you stick to a budget it makes starting your collection manageable and sometimes more fun… Who doesn’t love finding a bargain!
Buy with your instinct
Once you get to this stage, you have begun to establish your taste so buying something on a whim is not so terrifying - you’ve already done the hard work! The best piece of advice you can get is buying what you love… if your instinct is telling you, it’s the piece for you, it probably is.
Take the time to think about framing
Often galleries and artists will be selling work framed, in which case that’s great. But if it’s not, that’s okay too. Ask the gallerist or artist if they offer framing services or if they can recommend a framer and how to get it framed. A frame can completely change the feel and impact of a work of art, so it’s worth getting it right!
It’s okay to start small
In fact, we would recommend it! Firstly, because it’s more affordable, and secondly because it’s a great opportunity to live with an artists work before taking the step into a big purchase.
Consider prints
Original prints, like this beautiful etching The Bathers by Joanna Cohn, are a brilliant way to start collecting, as they are hand-made works of art in editions so they are generally a more affordable option. Because they are hand-made, no two works are entirely identical so you are still getting an original piece. You can read more on original vs. art prints on our blog here.
Ask for help!
So many of our new collectors comment on how intimidating it can be taking the first steps into art collecting, especially if you’re worried about asking a silly question. We’ve put together this blog of a few starter questions to get the conversation going.
Are you a new or young collector? Join the Young Collectors and get help and support in starting an art collection. Find out more and register here.