The psychology behind why people enjoy collecting things so much is incredibly multi-faceted, and there are many reasons why you may want to start a collection. Some are motivated by the scarcity of the items they obtain, others just like looking at the things they collect, and there are also some who believe their collections will become incredibly valuable over the years so that they will be able to turn a profit by selling them. Art collectors, in particular, have a lot of reasons, but apart from the cultural significance and the fact that art is an investment, there’s also the benefit of supporting the arts and artists and ensuring the continuity of this ecosystem.
Art can also foster social and emotional connections, and the pieces the collectors choose are typically those that have personal meaning for them, making art collections a very personal and even intimate pursuit. If the idea of building an art collection yourself sounds good, here’s some advice on how to get started and navigate this marketplace as a beginner.
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Start small
Art is not just for the ultrawealthy, but you should, nonetheless, start small when you look for paintings for sale, and focus on pieces that are not incredibly expensive in the very beginning. If you’re not very knowledgeable about art, this can be an occasion to learn more and become familiar with the intricacies of the different styles and mediums used to create artwork. Look for communities of fine art collectors and get in touch with people who have been doing this for years. They can provide you with some much-needed guidance on where to get started and what are the places where you should look first.
Smaller establishments, whether galleries or art institutions, will typically offer paintings, drawings, and prints for smaller fees. You can search for artists to support yourself and buy from them directly via their websites or social media pages. Many of them will be glad to have your support, and you can be confident that your money is funding the life and work of living creators who are making the art world more vibrant and interesting.
Remain cautious
Although the majority of people are not art collectors, the number of people who are purchasing art is on the rise. As it always happens, the moment something starts becoming more popular, counterfeit items start appearing as well. Do a deep dive into the artist before you take out your credit card, and learn about the piece as well. Is it part of a series or a standalone piece? Does it match their previous style? What other works has this artist completed before?
Checking the signature is crucial as well, with factors such as its condition, the brush strokes used, and the potential misspellings being some of the things you need to look out for.
Discover what you like
There is so much art out there that your entire lifetime wouldn’t be enough to become accustomed to it. When you start learning about art and artists, you’ll probably feel overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of art pieces in the world. Finding the pieces that truly speak to you, feel special, and make you feel like you’re ready to make a purchase is not an easy task, but don’t be discouraged. What you need to do is to keep searching until you find the things that you truly like.
Don’t be swayed by an artist’s popularity or lack thereof. Trends exist in the art world as well, but you should still take the time to actually look at the art before buying it. If you happen to like an artist that is quite popular at the moment, that’s great. But if you don’t, you shouldn’t let it disturb you or make you believe that you cannot appreciate art for its true value. At the end of the day, personal taste will always remain subjective.
Learn the tricks
Each and every collectors’ space or marketplace has its intricacies and tricks that you can only access in time after you’ve been part of the community for a while. For example, if you’re browsing through the catalogue of an online platform, you should scroll to the last pages of the website. There are many hidden gems lurking over there, most of them the work of artists who were once little-known, and so their work didn’t attract a lot of attention. The choice of what art to collect should always be purely personal, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t learn as much as you can about art in general and about what makes some works more valuable and more of an investment than others, even if you have no interest in collecting them.
Becoming acquainted with fellow collectors, art lovers, and artists will change your perspective and give you a much more comprehensive view of the details and smaller elements that make up the environment, which might not be apparent to a beginner. Talking to trustworthy people will also help you gain some perspective on the magnitude of the global art market so that you can determine where your collecting patterns and goals fit in the grand scheme of things.
Become a patron
Art patronage refers to the support, endorsement, and financial aid an artist receives. Essentially, you become a donor who helps and assists individual artists, larger artistic projects, and even art institutions you have grown to admire. You can also donate resources to help the arts or arrange ways for the artistically inclined to have access to formal education, training, or apprenticeships in order to kick-start their careers.
It is a step further from being a collector, and shows your commitment to the development of the art world. If you support the ecosystem, you ensure that more art will be created, and that more artists have the freedom to develop their skills and come up with unique works that will get them even more support.
The art world is constantly changing and evolving, and there are so many paintings, sculptures, and prints out there. Take your time before making a purchase, so that you get something that you genuinely want and like, but remember to see as much art as possible. That’s the only way to form an opinion.