| The Internet is revolutionizing the art world. In just | | | | 2. Know the Artist - Once you find a piece of art that |
| several minutes, you can browse and purchase | | | | you are interested in, get as much information as you |
| hundreds, even thousands, of original artworks right | | | | can about the artist. Obtain their artist statement and |
| from your home. But before you click the "add to cart" | | | | speak with them if possible. If you are buying more for |
| button, there are five things you should know that will | | | | potential future investment, obtain a list of exhibitions |
| greatly improve your online art buying experience. | | | | that they have participated in, collections they are in, |
| Five Things You Need to Know Before Buying Art | | | | and find out where they went to art school. Overall, |
| Online | | | | you want to make sure that you are buying from a |
| | | | legitimate working artist, and that there is quality and |
| The Internet is revolutionizing the art world. In the not | | | | value in the work. |
| too distant past, if you were interested in browsing a | | | | |
| few hundred paintings to find a new focal piece for | | | | 3. Know the Piece - You love the expressionist |
| your living room, you would've had to spend a | | | | brushstrokes, now find out the important details. What |
| considerable amount of time going from one gallery to | | | | is the medium, what surface was the work created |
| the next. Now, in just several minutes, you can browse | | | | on, is it framed, is it signed somewhere, and most |
| and purchase hundreds, even thousands, of original | | | | importantly, what are the dimensions? You may be |
| artworks right from your home. But before you click | | | | surprised at how big the artwork actually is, and you |
| the "add to cart" button, there are five things you | | | | wouldn't want to buy a piece that doesn't fit on your |
| should know that will greatly improve your online art | | | | wall. One of the best ways to combat this is to get a |
| buying experience. | | | | sheet of butcher paper, draw the dimensions of the |
| | | | artwork on it, and then cut it out. You can then put the |
| 1. Know the Gallery - The most important aspect of | | | | paper on the wall where you intend to hang the art to |
| buying art online is knowing who you are buying from. | | | | get an idea of the size. Also, certain online galleries |
| There are thousands of virtual galleries, and you want | | | | have a view to scale feature that will show you the |
| to make sure that you are dealing with a reputable | | | | artwork in a virtual room proportionate to your room's |
| one. If you can't find a phone number on the gallery's | | | | dimensions. |
| website, or it takes them more than a day or two to | | | | |
| get back to a phone or email message, move on. | | | | 4. Know the Edition - If you are buying printmaking or |
| | | | photography, you need to find out if the piece is part |
| Find out where they are located, how long they've | | | | of a limited edition or open edition. Pieces that are in a |
| been in business, if the artwork is curated, how they | | | | limited edition are produced in a set limited quantity and |
| price their art, and of course, what their return policy is. | | | | tend to be more expensive, but can also have more |
| Make sure that if you decide you don't love your | | | | value because of their limited number. Open edition |
| artwork when it arrives, you have the ability to return it | | | | artworks are not limited in quantity and can be |
| for a full refund, and without being charged high | | | | reproduced indefinitely. In both cases, each piece in the |
| shipping or restocking fees. | | | | edition is identical and is considered an original. |
| | | | |
| Most artwork on the Internet is from emerging artists | | | | 5. Keep a Record - Save your receipt of purchase. If |
| whose legacy is yet to be defined. As such, you will | | | | you intend to sell the art in the future, this is a must. In |
| want help determining if their work is worth your time | | | | the art world, this is known as provenance, or the |
| and money. Find an online gallery with a reliable curator | | | | artwork's history of ownership. Depending upon how |
| or board of curators. Additionally, this type of art should | | | | well known the artist becomes, this will help establish |
| be affordable. Although there is no exact science to | | | | that the work is not fake or stolen. |
| pricing artwork, it should mainly be according to the | | | | |
| artist's previous sales and exhibition history, and the | | | | With all of this in mind, buy what you like! Don't worry |
| size, medium, and composition of the work. As a | | | | too much about what the art market or your friends |
| general rule, emerging artwork shouldn't cost more | | | | say, choose artwork that you connect with. Although |
| than four figures unless it is a spectacular piece by a | | | | art may hold a future value, find pieces that you are |
| spectacular artist. | | | | passionate about. After all, you are the one who has |
| | | | to live with it. |