Buying a piece of Artwork - things to consider

Buying a piece of artwork for your home can be daunting.
There are several things you may wish to consider to ensure you choose the correct piece (or pieces!), as original artwork can be an expensive investment.

In this article I'll cover the following points:
 
1. Original artwork vs reprodution print - which should you choose?
2. How to assess the size and placement your art requires.
3. How to consider which colours & subject matter will work best in your space.
4. Would a sculpture or 3D work be preferable in your space?
5. Do any of these points really matter if you've already fallen in love with a piece of art?

1. Original Artwork vs Reproduction Print - which should you choose?

Budget is usually the main differential between whether you opt for an original piece of artwork or a reproduction print.
Yes, original art is generally more expensive, but consider this as an investment. Original art from an up-and-coming or established artist may increase in value over time.
There's also something very special about the textures, colours and imperfections of an original artwork. Something that gets lost in a reproduction, no matter how good.
Think of your favourite piece of music. To hear it remastered in all its digital perfection is nothing compared to the thrill of it being performed live!

Original art can also be affordable - a hand printed linocut, for example, is often less expensive than a one-off oil painting but just as exciting.
Conversely, a reproduction print is often the most affordable way to bring some character and joy to a plain wall, and should not be looked down on!

If you're looking to cover a large space on a budget, or just in love with the work of an established artist who has a price bracket over what you feel comfortable spending, a reproduction is a good way around this. It's also a good test of whether a particular piece will look good in the space you have in mind.
Perhaps you want to live with it for a while to make sure you still love it in two months time without getting fed up of it. (Like that tattoo you regret!).

But fear not - there are ways to cheat the system! Some galleries offer "Art Loan" or "Art Rental" schemes, whereby you might pay a deposit and be offered a different / rotating artwork each season to take home. (Sprout Art  are one such gallery in South London).
You may also find galleries or artists who will offer the option to pay in instalments, if you just need a few extra pay slips but want the art asap!

2. How to assess the size and placement your art requires.

The size of work you opt for will likely depend on two main things: the space of your wall and the impact you wish the piece to have.
You may want one, large, statement piece to hang prominently in your living room. You may want a small piece to hang alongside other small works on your "gallery. wall" in the hallway. You may have business premises that you want to kit out with uniform artworks on alternate walls.
Either way, ask yourself "Do I want this piece to be the focus?" If so, it will need to have enough space around it to give it room to breathe.

Think about how the artwork might fit in relation to other features in the room. For example, a work framed under glass may reflect the light from an ajacent window, making it hard to see clearly (unless it's been framed under non-reflective glass). A work on paper may fade in direct sunlight. You may decide in these cases, to choose a piece of work painted on canvas with more durability.

There are apps you can download which will 'project' an artwork onto your wall so you can get an idea of how it may look once hung.
Trial and error may be the way forward.

3. How to consider which colours & subject matter will work best in your space.

In an ideal world, colour schemes and subject matter shouldn't be a consideration when choosing art for your home or space....But....if you're going to live happily with a piece that you may have spent a considerable amount of money on, it will probably become apparent very quickly if the fit isn't quite right.
You wouldn't necessarily hang a lurid painting of decaying flesh in your dining room, or a gentle coastal scene in a rave club (or maybe you would?..)

Things to consider when choosing colours and subjects are: "What feeling do I want to evoke in this space?"
Do you want this room to feel peaceful or energised? Do you want to evoke nostalgia? Fun? Tranquility? Do you want to be reminded of open spaces? Family gatherings? Clutter or calm? Frivolity or Spirituality?
Once you answer these questions, you will be able to narrow down the characteristics of the art that will best suit.

4. Would a sculpture or 3D work be preferable in your space?

Not every space demands a flat, 2D piece of art. You may decide that something more sculptural would suit better.
If you're blessed with a huge lobby entrance, or a grand driveway or garden, you may want a large, 3D work to add flow or drama. (Or perhaps you'd like to evoke a sense of grandeur using a smaller sculpture.)
Things to consider in this case might be: how much space will it need around it so as not to obstruct movement (ie. is it going to be easily knocked over?). Is it going to live indoors or outdoors and is the finish appropriate for such a placement? (eg if it's going to get rained on, will it rust or age appropriately? If it's near a fireplace will it get singed? etc)
These may seem obvious points but always worth paying attention to before you commit to buy.

5. Do any of these points really matter if you've already fallen in love with a piece of art?

At the end of the day, it's your home, your taste and you can do what the hell you like with it!
If you have absolutely fallen in love with an artwork that you don't think will work in the space you have in mind for it, maybe you will decide to change the space to suit the art!! - That's when you know you've succombed to the power of art!

Artworks within my site you may want to rehome:​

Small, Characterful artworks for small walls

Large, Naughty Statement art for behind closed doors

Mid-Size Nature themed artworks for calming space

Calm soothing floral art of various sizes

Quirky, Geometric Landscapes with a story to tell

Bold, Statement art for the rock 'n' rollers