| Things You'll Need: Time, Patience, Trained eye, | | | | Step 7You will now own your first piece or pieces |
| Transportation | | | | of fine art! You will most likely start getting invited |
| Instructions: | | | | to the private openings / preview openings, that |
| Step 1 | | | | only collectors get invited to. These are great! |
| Figure out what kind or kinds of art you really | | | | There you will learn much more by listening and |
| love. Remember you will be living with it for a | | | | visiting the homes of other collectors in your area. |
| good while. Is it photography? Expressionism? | | | | Good luck and enjoy! |
| Realism? Sculpture? | | | | Tips & Warnings: |
| Step 2 | | | | 1. If you are new to the art world, do not buy art |
| Begin following the art scene in your area. Start | | | | online. Get some experience with your own 2 |
| going to student art shows at universities and | | | | eyes first. Get a feel for the textures, media, etc. |
| museum schools, as well as artist studio exhibits. | | | | before you venture into making purchases |
| Begin frequenting art galleries and their openings. | | | | without seeing the real thing first. Once you feel |
| Step 3 | | | | like you are comfortable with your taste and |
| Get on the mailing lists of the studios and galleries | | | | previous purchases, you won't need any of this |
| that you decide you enjoy and prefer the most. | | | | advice. |
| Keep in mind that galleries have a stable of artists | | | | 2. Always buy signed works. Some artist's do not |
| and usually change shows monthly. This will allow | | | | like to sign the front, but make sure they sign the |
| you to receive invitations to their public openings. | | | | back. Sculptures should be signed as well, |
| Step 4 | | | | somewhere. |
| Decide on your budget per piece, even if it's a | | | | 3. Avoid having the art dealer go to your house. |
| temporary budget. We all understand that your | | | | It's common for them to offer to go and hang |
| budget will grow with time. | | | | the piece for you. This allows them to see your |
| Step 5 | | | | place and plan on the next thing they can try to |
| A few things to consider: | | | | sell you. |
| 1. Artist's Studies: They are usually the artist's | | | | 4. Get a biography, catalog and anything else that |
| original thought for the final piece, but are always | | | | they can give you on the artist and keep a file. |
| priced much lower. It's a great way to start a | | | | 5. If buying directly from an artist, make sure |
| collection, own a fine piece, without a huge | | | | they are not represented by a dealer in that city |
| investment. In some cases, these become very | | | | or town. Word gets around very quickly and the |
| valuable, depending on how the artist's career | | | | one that will look bad is you. That gallery will not |
| goes. | | | | want to do business with you after that. It's just |
| 2. Works on paper, are also priced lower than | | | | ugly. |
| canvasses and a fine way to collect. I actually | | | | 6. Correct behavior for an opening: |
| prefer works on paper, for some of the artists | | | | Do not drink too much or talk too much. |
| that I collect. I find they are pure. | | | | Dress nicely, you are not the artist. |
| 3. Limited editions, prints, and photographs will | | | | Do not call a painting or photograph a picture. |
| always be priced lower because they are | | | | Do not say you don't like that specific artist's |
| re-produced. The only ones I recommend to | | | | work, just suggest that you don't prefer it or |
| beginners are "artist proofs", which are originals. I | | | | better yet, stay quiet. |
| also recommend photographs that have been | | | | Do not negotiate during the opening, you do that |
| made into an original by adding painting, drawing, | | | | later, in person. |
| or some mixed media. | | | | Do not let the dealer pressure you into making a |
| 4. Framing costs and pedestal prices: Most pieces | | | | final decision. If you are interested in a piece, |
| come framed, but not always. Sculptures never | | | | during an opening, say you like it and if you are |
| come with their stand, so figure out how you will | | | | worried about someone else buying it before you |
| display it. Feel free to request the piece be | | | | do, just ask to have it placed on hold for you. |
| framed by the gallery and/or for advice on finding | | | | Make an appointment or show-up during the |
| the right pedestal. | | | | week, when the dealer is not too busy. |
| 5. Some galleries are way above your budget, so | | | | Do not negotiate by email, phone or text. Always |
| do not frequent these as often. You should still | | | | do it in person. |
| go, learn and enjoy, but do not get in over your | | | | Learn by listening to other collectors. |
| head and fall in love with a piece you cannot | | | | Listen to the artists and dealers. |
| afford. | | | | Use your judgement on whether an artist will |
| Step 6 | | | | have a future or not. If the artist is really young |
| Have you been dreaming of a piece you have | | | | and does not have a gallery yet, you might be ok |
| seen? You are now ready to buy, but only if you | | | | buying a piece from him/her. If the artist is older |
| really love the piece! Remember you will be living | | | | and still does not have a gallery representing him |
| with it for a long time! | | | | her, you might want to think some more. |
| Negotiate with the dealer or artist, without being | | | | Do not mention things like: "A kid could do this", "if |
| insulting. Keep in mind the following: | | | | I would have known how much these pieces go |
| 1. Their expenses and overhead. | | | | for, I would have become an artist", "I'm looking |
| 2. How desperate they are to complete a sale. | | | | for a piece to match my couch". It just shows |
| 3. Ask about a payment plan, credit cards, | | | | your ignorance in a negative manner. Believe me, |
| framing. Most galleries will let you make payments | | | | art dealers and artists are tired of hearing these |
| at 0% interest, if there's not too many payments. | | | | type of comments. They are not original. |
| 4. Make a reasonable offer. Most dealers will offer | | | | Avoid art auctions as a beginner. Only a collector |
| 10% off the wall / list price. More is nice, but not | | | | with many years of experience should consider |
| necessary! Don't be insulting by throwing out a | | | | buying at auctions. Museum school auctions, on |
| number that's way too low. Be reasonable. | | | | the other hand, are ok and in fact a good way |
| Remember that you are not buying a super | | | | for you to make some wise purchases. |
| expensive piece. You are just a beginner. The | | | | Avoid artists that do not dedicate a good part of |
| lower the price is, the less wiggle room they have. | | | | their time to art. If it's just their hobby, then it will |
| 5. If negotiating for more than one piece at once, | | | | most likely never become a good investment for |
| you have more leeway in how far they are willing | | | | you. |
| to go. | | | | Avoid galleries that aren't really galleries. An art |
| 6. Most galleries keep between 40 and 50% of | | | | gallery should exhibit and sell art, and that is all. If |
| the total. The artist gets the rest. | | | | they are selling framing on the side, etc. |