To ask how to buy art work...

[ChristmasCrumpet]

Recently started a thread explaining that I have circa £1500 to choose a 40th birthday present, and a little flummoxed as to what to get.

A couple of posters suggested a piece original art work, and I think this is a great idea, but don't know where to start.

Those in the know... where's a good place to look? Any particular artists or styles that are likely to appreciate?

I think I'd prefer a piece/picture to hang on the wall, but would be open to a little sculpture/vase/stand alone piece too.

Any pointers in the right direction would be very much appreciated.

You could go to an art fair. There will be lots of galleries with stands each probably showing a small number of artists. Wander around and ask if you can take pics of the artworks you like. Always capture the name of the artist and gallery in the pic. Then go for a coffee and flick through the pics. What do the things you like have in common? If there were any artists you particularly liked then Google their work - do you like a lot of their work or just the particular pieces you saw?

Go to a gallery or two, talk to them about the art you like and see what they say.

It’s really difficult to buy artists who will appreciate in value so focus on what you like.

sculpture is likely to be outside your price range unless it’s ceramic.

message me with the sort of thing you like and I’ll see if I can recommend any artists that might be suitable

I'd try to get to the Affordable Art Fair if I were you. It's a lot of fun.

I agree that sculpture is probably out of your budget.

Seconding Affordable Art Fair. Some stunning works

Personally I buy art I want to see in my space, rather than worrying about it increasing in value. However, there are a few art fairs that are really accessible, such as The Affordable Art Fair, Frieze, etc. Most cities will host something, lots of towns have galleries. With £1500 you can definitely get something lovely, but maybe go and have a look at what's around so you can see who's exhibiting what and where else they sell, if that matters to you. You don't need to buy at the first fair you go to. And enjoy the process!

I was very unimpressed with Affordable Art Fair - too many big fashionable things that didn't seem thoughtful.

the website ArtFinder has nice pieces sold directly by the artists and I know a few artists who sell there. quality is a bit variable.

Yeah, don't try and gamble on something that will "appreciate in value". You won't and you'll make yourself crazy. Buy a piece because it speaks to you and every time you look at it you feel something that matters to you.

Direct. Galleries load the price.

It’s one of those things when you know when you see it. You can’t really look for it IMO. If you do your going to buy a bummer.

If I had 1.5k I know exactly what piece I would buy 😢

Have a look on Art Finder. Many smaller artists (and some big ones too) advertise there. I bought a stunning original abstract oil for my hall from there and every time I walk past it makes me smile. Best purchase ever. If nothing else, the website will help you refine what you like and don’t like!

Are there any local art galleries or are you planning on holidaying anywhere with a vibrant art community? I live in Dorset and we have hundreds of local artists, some of whom are amazing. I like impressionist and sea scapes -sadly I am lacking wall space and money.

Local, smaller galleries would be your best bet. Otherwise, it’s also worth looking at signed prints of known artists if you want a potential return on the investment.
Buy something you like/enjoy looking at.

Domenica Marland, Glassette and Partnership Editions have some nice pieces.

Auction houses. At the very least they’re a great place to get your eye in, see what you like and a feel for prices. Even Christie’s and Sotheby’s often have pictures for £500- with that budget and a few visits you’ll get something you love with provenance.
Lot’s Road and Rosebery’s too.

If you're based in London, Mall galleries have lots of exhibitions - many of which will have lots within your price range.
Their exhibitions are usually online as well - but I'd really recommend seeing an artists work close up. If you're not close to London, look for local galleries.
Cockpit Arts worth a look too.

I've not been for ages, but I used to go regularly to 'Open Studio' weekends - there are several in London, I used to go often to one that was based close to Goldsmiths, so there were lots of artists participating that had been there & never moved away.

search online to see if anything like that close to you.
Wrong time of year, but the Royal Academy Summer Show is always great for finding new artists that you like. At this years show, the work I fell in love with had sold, but I contacted the artist directly & purchased privately - lots cheaper as no commission.

The first pieces of art I purchased were from a gallery in St Ives, I now have about ten pieces by that artist, prices are a bit too high now to buy more, so you do get lucky sometimes, not that I purchased with the intention of reselling.

Also consider auctions - research what you like and fair prices & don't get carried away with bidding.

Don’t buy online. Difficult to judge scale, textures, materials, and what it’s actually like to look at. Look at local galleries — not bland high-street stuff (though they can sometimes also have some good work, but have to sell commercial/tourist crap to make ends meet), but a proper gallery. Look for artists’ collectives, places doing open studios, arts centres, exhibition spaces etc. Keep an eye out even in cafes/restaurants for work you like. A local food coop here often has good work in the café. Ask any friends who are artists or are knowledgeable about the local scene for names you can look up. If you have a local art school, or a university with a Fine Art programme, go to their degree show.

Some artists do sell online, but I would never buy without having seen the work in the flesh. The most recent thing I bought is acrylic and oils on board, and the artist is a friend of a friend whose solo show I missed last year, but I started to follow her on Instagram, liked a painting she’d posted and asked if it was for sale. It wasn’t, but she invited me to her studio, and I bought a painting — her work relies a lot on textures and scoring into the paint, so you don’t get the full effect in photographs.

Don't rush. Like others have said, Affordable Art Fairs are good. Also, Find out when your local open studios are and go and see lots of different artists and get a feel for what you like. You could turn it into a lovely year of looking at art - only buy when you find The One. I spent a small inheritance on a painting and knew it was the right one - had a strong emotional connection to it and love seeing it every day.

I'm not in London. Norfolk, so not impossible to pop down for the day, albeit a little rushed while DTwins are in nursery.

Next affordable art is Friday 22nd October. Will take DM and choose something there. Thanks so much guys, I'd never have thought of this.

Enjoy the experience and good luck!

There are so many amazing artists around. Norfolk Open Studios begins in a few days. Check out the brochure and see what type of art you like. With your budget you'll get something really special.

There's also a fair that takes place in the stables at Houghton Hall - I've forgotten what it's called but it's on all summer and might still be going now. There's a hierarchy of costs, which goes oil on canvas, works on paper (watercolour, pastel, drawing etc.) then original prints (linocuts, woodcuts.) Size will effect the price, and so will where the artist is in their career. It's worth having a look online to work out what style you like before you go to a fair with an intention of buying. Don't think you have to buy something contemporary, either - Collins & Green has really lovely 19th and 20th century pictures that would be within your budget. Counter Editions is good for prints - some of them are out of your price range, but others are definitely in your price range. And Partnership Editions is really good for finding new (early career) artists - I think someone else mentioned them up thread.

Yes, I was about to say this. Take your time and look in Norfolk galleries/studios too. Don’t rush into an art purchase.

• Art Fairs
• Local galleries
• you can buy directly from artists. They often have 'open studios' days where you can visit them and view their artworks
• online galleries: places like Saatchiart have lots of artworks by creatives from all over the world
• art students' degree shows and exhibitions. Art colleges often have exhibitions that showcase artworks made by art and design students.

Fo for something you like rather trying to look for something that will go up in value or whatever someone thinks is trendy that particular month...

I should have added most artists will have a social media presence, so have a look on Instagram for art you might like. Their page will give some more insight about their inspiration, how they work, previous sales and shows and so on.

Probably the wrong side of London for you but I loved Wimbledon Art Fair https://www.wimbledonartfair.com/ you’re buying direct from artists at their studios. The selection of work was amazing.

All of the various paintings on my walls 'spoke' to me as soon as I saw them, and always when I wasn't specifically looking. I've only bought one painting because I thought I should, and it's currently gathering dust in the attic. You need to forget about the £1.5k burning a hole in your pocket and go to lots of galleries and museums to see what you actually like enough to live with long term. You'll know when you find it. Any doubts walk away.