If you like art and would like to have your own collection of artwork, there are two general approaches you may take:
- Organized one. You set the plan for your future or existing collection, choose its theme, style, select a location for it, set budgetary limits. Then you can purchase artwork according to your plan.
- Chaotic one. You buy the pieces of art you like and then arrange them in a place where they fit. The budget isn’t specified, and you may spend a lot of money on a single piece of art if you like it.
For many people, both ways work. Art is a product of creativity, and thus, can’t be completely put into frames. So it goes with collecting. You might have a strict plan and budget, but you shouldn’t deny yourself once in a while some impulsive purchasing of a painting of an off-topic style that costs ten times the price of any item you specified for your collection.
However, these spontaneous actions should not lead you to despair later on (for the money spent or the painting not matching the rest of your collection). To avoid such mistakes, check the list of the things to do and not do when starting your art collection.
Collecting Art for Your New Collection: Dos
Trust Your Intuition
There’s something very personal about arranging your own art collection. Even two collectors with the same works of art place them differently and convey different feelings and emotions through their collections. That’s why, even if you follow an organized method described above, always let your intuition guide you. It could be the feeling about buying a piece of art that doesn’t match your collection but stirs your emotions. Your intuition can also warn you against buying something you wish you had but that has dubious provenance or from an unreliable seller.
Consider New Artists and Art Graduates
Works by well-known artists are often expensive. Meanwhile, the artists who are just starting to exhibit their works usually offer affordable prices, with room to bargain. If you enjoy a particular technique, such as impressionism, for example, you may enjoy the vibrant painting by the young artist just as much as the one performed by an experienced master.
Examine art college websites and look at the work of students starting in their 3rd year. It is possible that their masterpieces will cost several times more after they establish their independent practice in a few years.
Check for Printed Editions of the Expensive Artwork
Famous artists frequently collaborate with galleries and other institutions to create printed editions of their paintings. Often, these prints are made on high-quality paper with colors that are close to the original. If you’ve decided to have a particular painting in your collection and can’t purchase it, having a printed edition will at least make your collection look complete. And it’s possible that you’ll enjoy the printed exhibit as well.
Create an Instagram Account
Instagram is one of the most popular modern methods of art exhibition and sale. Many artists and galleries have accounts on this social network and exhibit their collections there in high quality. Artworks are often accompanied by descriptions and documentation. If you don’t have an Instagram account yet, create one so that you can expand your scope and use more opportunities to replenish your collection.
Check Documents Before Buying
When you purchase any painting, it’s a good idea to remind yourself that the documents should be double-checked. Always examine the documents provided on the collectible. Check to see if they fully match the item and if they contain enough information about the item and its creator.
Determine Your Budget
There’s no high price for art, but if you have a limited budget, it’s a good idea to define how much you can spend on your collection. You can set a budget for each individual purchase or for one particular painting style (for example, $1000 for abstract style and $500 for cubism). You can also determine your budget for a month or another period. By sticking to your budget, you’ll be able to add new paintings to your collection on a constant basis.
Apply Preservation Techniques
Even if you’re just starting out, it’s important to understand how to preserve your collection over time. Arrange the artworks in the room with good ventilation and not too much sunlight. Make sure the humidity is low or moderate (no more than 60%), the average temperature is around 70 F. If you keep your exhibits in a separate room, use special covers to protect them from dust. Prepare tools for repairs and renovation if needed. These precautions will allow you to enjoy your collection for many years to come.
Things to Avoid When Building Your Collection: Don’ts
Buying Massive or Fancy Frames
The idea of an art collection usually conjures up images of several large paintings put in massive gold frames. However, the real size of the pieces of art can be anywhere from tiny to gigantic. So, there’s no point in buying frames beforehand. Besides, the material of the walls taken by your collection matters as well. A heavy frame can cause the soft wall material to begin to crumble or scratch the paint on them. Also, the focus of your art collection should be on the artwork, not its frames. For certain paintings, a modest thin wooden frame can make them shine more than a shiny frame.
Adapt Your Home to Your Collection
It’s pointless to begin the repair work if you’re at the very start of collecting. The project you have in mind may change several times, and the location you prepared may no longer be suitable. Instead of making a home for your collection, try making the collection a home. Come up with a separate place for it, but think about how often you will look in that direction. If you don’t have an established place for artwork, think about ways to complement the design of your home and perhaps create a new one by means of your collection.
Stick to One Place to Buy From
Unless you have a favorite artist and are able to purchase from him or her, it is always a good idea to look into the offers of different artists working in the specific art sphere. This will let you find out more about the specific technique or get new ideas for your collection. If you don’t find anything to purchase, you can still get some fresh ideas for your collection. Explore several galleries and auctions, visit various exhibitions. The multiple variants you’ll have will let you choose a gem for your collection.
Rush into Buying
If you found a piece of art you absolutely must have, try to estimate it thoroughly. Does the artwork have all supporting documentation? What’s its background? How old is it? Before making a hasty purchase, ask the seller any and all questions you have.
Postpone Insurance for Your New AdditionsÂ
Having insurance for the art collection is a good idea, even if you don’t possess any masterpiece by a famous artist. Objects of art are valuable in their own right, and they can be insured. If you already have insurance on the art you collect, take some time to include a new addition to your list of insured objects. This will give you peace of mind that your collection is secure.