Ask A Curator

How to Start Buying and Investing in Art: Part 4

It can be intimidating to consider collecting artwork, especially since most of the stories in the news about the art world tend to concern works selling for millions. But if you focus on artwork by emerging artists, then you can acquire stunning works at reasonable prices, and find works that don’t break the bank.

Buying art online can be a great economical option, as you don’t have to pay the usual gallery commission of 50%. It is also a more efficient way of purchasing art, as you also do not have to traipse around numerous galleries (with small inventories) before finding something you love.

We recommend before you buy your first work of art, that you establish your budget and stick to it.

Our artists on Saatchi Art set their own prices based on the following criteria:

• Previous sales
• Their level of experience
• Awards won
• Education background
• The time spent on making each artwork

When you are determining your budget, please also bear in mind that you, the buyer, are responsible for the cost of shipping the artwork. It’s also a good idea to research whether the work will be shipped mounted and/or framed, or if that will be an extra cost.

Ready to start building your own collection? Read Saatchi Art’s complimentary ebook 7 Essential Steps to Collecting Emerging Art, written by our Chief Curator Rebecca Wilson.