Buying art in the modern age gives us a huge variety of options accessible in person and via the world wide web. As fun a process as it should be, it also has its challenges and difficulties. The best way you can go about finding that next furniture piece or painting on the wall begins here with five easy steps.
Be organized and confident
Start with a clear plan of what you’re looking for and where you will look to find it. If your intention is clear, all the hesitations about being ill-prepared and unsure of how to use art vocabulary will disappear. Do not be afraid of the challenge ahead and seek advice from sellers, galleries, and art advisory services. At the end of the day, they are the ones who need to drive the sale, not you. Be confident and expectant that they will help you find what you want. And if you end up not liking it, do not hesitate to send it back. It’s your money at the end of the day!
Do your research
As useful as the worldwide web is, everything is not what it appears to be. It can be very easy to mislead people and not give a true picture of what they’re buying. Any person behind the keyboard can commit identity fraud, steal bank details and trap ordinary people such as you and I. Be careful when checking out art and make sure it has a Certificate of Authenticity before giving away your money. If you’re not sure it’s reliable, always check out the artist’s website and contact them. If you’re still not convinced, ask experts in the online art world.
Be open-minded
Art is all about the creativity of the mind, which encourages all kinds of works of the imagination. As good as it is to have a rough idea of what you want, make sure you don’t limit yourself in your search. Be prepared to be wowed by art you never envisaged before and by artists you never knew before. Art is not all about fame so try conducting your searches with key words instead of generalizing with artists you know. You can adjust search filters such as color, size, type of art and more. The worldwide web is home to millions of opportunities to engage with new peoples and new art. You can see all of them, but who has the time for that? Broaden your horizons and adjust accordingly! Besides, art pieces from the lesser known, emerging artists will tend to sell for less, even with great resale potential!
Know your budget
Not all art has to expensive, but it’s important to know how much you would be willing to spend. Setting a budget makes you prepared for negotiations and should help you specify your search online. Always set a lower and upper limit if there is room for reconsideration. Some artists would be willing to receive smaller payments in chunks over a longer period of up to 18 months. There is a deal to be done with anyone. Don’t be afraid to negotiate. Try and get as much bang for your buck as possible.
Consider the easiest option
When buying art online, it can come from absolutely any corner of the planet. Make sure you find the best arrangements for completing the transaction. You should be aware of where it comes from, how it’s packaged, which mode of delivery it comes in, and the additional costs involved. If you’re a busy person, you may not be around when the package is delivered. Or, you may be unaware of shipping and tax costs in certain locations. If an art piece is costly, it’s likely to have a higher insurance price when delivered. It’s important you make yourself aware of all the implications for the sale. If you’re not sure, ask the artist directly and they may even help you out financially too! See if you can get hangers or frames for your pieces if you wish to place it on the wall. Be aware of your situation entirely and there will be no problems! Buying art online should be as fun, easy and reliable as it is in person. Just don’t allow it to be difficult and relax with what we’ve just told you. Enjoy!
At Azucar we have a selection of great artworks for sale, by exciting emerging talents, you can check that selection here
If you have any questions or doubts, feel free to contact our lead curator, Stephan van Kuyk, he will be glad to help or provide a free art consultation session. Reach him at im@yourartconsultant or hello@azucarmag.com
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