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  • Writer's pictureVishakha

Artwork For Sale: Tips from Industry Experts to Buy and Sell Art

Updated: Mar 22

If you are new in the art world, it can be an intimidating experience while trying to buy or sell an artwork. Artists want a fair price for all the hard work they put into creating every piece while putting their artwork for sale. In contrast, buyers are always afraid of paying more than the worth of an artwork. To prevent you from all the overwhelming nightmares, we have compiled a list of some insider tips on how you can buy and sell artwork. Let's dive right into it!

An artist making  an artwork at his messy house

Insider Tips to Put an Artwork for Sale

Most novice artists dream of building a career out of their passion. However, their idea of success is being able to place their artworks in famous museums and galleries with exorbitant price tags, which is not always true. Most artists who have a successful career take the help of these galleries, but that is not the only way to sell your artwork.

  • The Art of Pricing

If you are a new artist, pricing your artwork can be intimidating. While you may have put in immense effort, asking for an exorbitant price can still be a challenge. Put your artwork for sale based on the hours you have put in its creation and where you stand in your career. Once you set a name for yourself in the art world with a loyal clientele, you can start experimenting with the price.

  • Create a Visual Pitch

Most art buyers look for artworks they can feel a personal connection with. Another vital aspect they look for is how it will go with their space. If you have a personal website or social media handle, paste high-quality images of your artwork in different settings like bedrooms, office spaces, living rooms, etc. Doing this will give your prospects, who want to buy paintings online, an idea about where to place the artwork. Don't forget to add a description, giving them insight into your work.

  • Find Your Target Market

While art is your passion, selling it is still a business. Just like any other business, you need to find a target market for your artwork as well. Look for people in your inner circles and local community who will trust you enough to buy paintings online. You can search for them on social media and deliver the work. Don't immediately start looking for customers halfway across the world. Instead, start small. This will help you get clients who can vouch for your work and spread the word, thus building your credibility.

  • Collaborate with Galleries

While most galleries charge a percentage of commission for selling your artwork, their network of potential buyers, critics, and media can give you a platform to showcase your work to a bigger audience. Some of these galleries also guide you on where and how you can present your artwork, invite you to take part in exhibitions, and a lot more. This gives you much-needed exposure, especially if you have just started out.

Insider Tips for Buying Artworks for Sale

If you have just started on your journey of collecting artwork, you might have numerous questions about where to start, how to find the best artwork for your money's worth, and so on. As a new buyer, you can follow these tips to embark on your journey of collecting artwork on sale.

  • Pick Art that You Like

If you want to buy artwork for your home or office space, the first rule is to buy something that you like. Chances are that you might come back home to it every day; therefore it should be something that pleases your eyes. Don't solely follow the popularity of the artist or an artwork. Look for pieces that you can form a more intimate connection with. To know your preference, it's best to do some research online. Observe different styles of artwork you feel attracted to. You can go through the virtual TERAVARNA gallery to explore different pieces of art.

  • Set a Budget Before Buying

Making a decision becomes easier if you have a preset budget for yourself. However, you should also be prepared to go slightly over it because buying an artwork may sometimes involve shipping, insurance, packaging charges, etc, that can go outside the set range. However, if you find yourself in that position where you instantly fall in love with an artwork outside your budget, buy it if you can. Some pieces immediately get sold out, and you might later regret not buying them.

  • Don’t Hesitate To Ask

Buying artwork can be quite overwhelming, so don't hesitate to reach out to other collectors or appraisers. They can help you understand the value of different artworks and also give you more insight into the price. You can also reach out to the galleries to ask them more about the material, technique, and style, and most of them will gladly help you.

  • Decide On a Size in Advance

Irrespective of how beautiful an artwork is, it won’t be any good if you can’t fit in your space. Even when you buy paintings online, make sure to find out the size. Early collectors often end up buying artwork they absolutely love but immediately start regretting the purchase because it doesn't fit the size specifics.

Don't Let Hesitation Come in Your Way of Buying or Selling Artwork

It is always just the first step that is scary. Once you get familiar with how to put artworks on sale and buy them, the process doesn't feel so intimidating anymore. As a buyer, you will develop a taste for artwork and start understanding different styles better. You will get familiar with what will work for different spaces in your house and what not.

If you are an artist, you will gradually build a reputation with every artwork you sell. With a higher number of buyers vouching for your art, you will be able to increase the price and charge a better price. However, the crux is to start somewhere. You can reach out to galleries that will help you sell your artwork, and as a buyer, they will help you better understand a piece of art if you want it.


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