How to Buy Art Online (Without Getting It Wrong)

In the modern world, art for sale is available online as well. Buying art is not restricted to offline galleries now like it used to be when a person had to walk into a gallery and choose an artwork from the ones displayed. Now, everything is online or digital, and so is the art marketplace, with thousands of pieces to choose from, which can feel overwhelming as well. Indeed, now, when you buy art online, there are things to think about, like whether it's original, where to buy from, and whom to trust. 

So, here we are with a practical guide to buying art paintings for sale online, what matters, and how to buy original paintings online.

Start With the Space, Not the Style

One of the mistakes that buyers make from the very start is that they start browsing right away and then look for the one they like, and forget that there are measurements they should be aware of before they buy artwork online. 

You are going to put the artwork on a wall, right, a physical wall, and so the first thing that is most important is the dimensions of the artwork that fit the most on the wall. You can measure the wall’s dimensions and then set a range of what dimensions of the artwork will work for you. 

Also, another thing that you must take into consideration is the lighting of the room and the existing color palette of the room. To cross-check that you can use the VR option, the “View-in-room” option of the TERAVARNA Marketplace, and see how the artwork looks in your space. 

Once you know your space, it will be so much easier to style your room and choose a painting that actually defines the room and your taste. 

Medium Changes The Price 

An artwork for sale will have a different price according to its medium, because no art is made the same way. It is essential that you understand those basics when you buy art online. Understanding the medium and the price changes accordingly will save you from disappointment when you receive your package.

Oil and acrylic artworks are generally expensive, from a few hundred dollars to thousands, based on the work, whether it is of an emerging artist or an established one. 

Now, the works on paper, like pencil and graphite or watercolor and ink – they are more accessible and affordable. Collectors often seek these types of artworks because of their detail. 

Then there are mixed media and installation pieces, which cost more based on their materials, scale, etc. 

Indeed, there are photography and digital prints, which offer high flexibility in price and sizing, specifically when editions are involved since many editions are available of a single photograph. 

Knowing this pricing before you are looking for an artwork or want to buy original paintings online will help you fix a realistic budget and choose the piece accordingly and not dismiss a medium you assumed would be unaffordable. 

Original vs. Print: Know What You're Actually Buying

There is a fair distinction between an original and a print. And that is something you should check before you order an artwork online. When you buy original art online, it is one-of-a-kind, and since that is a unique piece, only one in existence. 

On the other hand, a print like a giclee or lithograph, or a screenprint, is a reproduction. Sometimes they are limited editions, which makes them costly, and sometimes they are open-ended. 

Neither is better; it's not a competition as such; it's simply about what you choose to keep in your space. Prints are accessible while originals are valuable, and it matters that the listing shows whether the original art for sale is original or a printed edition and, if printed, how many printed editions there are overall. If a site doesn't clearly add that to their marketplace and mention it in their listing, it is a red flag. 

Research the Artist — It Takes Five Minutes

You don't need to know the complete history of an artist, but do research a little bit about the artist whose artwork you want to buy. Look at some pointers about the artwork for sale:- 

• Do check more pieces by the artist, the broader body of work of the artist. Have they listed more of their artworks on the art marketplace or not? 

• Also check their social media and where they have shown their work before, like juried art competitions and gallery representation or exhibition history - these are the signs of a decent artist. 

• Also, it would be better to read the artist statement to know more about the artist, his journey, and how he created his art; the process, intent, and materials he used often indicate the thought and inspiration. 

These are some points that can help differentiate and tell the difference between real and fake art as well as help with the context of the art piece.

Check the Practical Details Before You Fall in Love

When there is original art for sale, and you have found your perfect piece, do check the logistics first:

Framing - is the framing included, yes or no, and if yes, what are the dimensions with the framing?

Shipping and returns - original art is fragile, so do check the shipping terms and conditions as well as return and exchange policies before you order your artwork.

The best art purchases are not impulsive; they take time, so take your time to do the research and read everything before you add the artwork to the cart and finalize the purchase. 

Where to Start Looking?

Keep all this in mind before you buy art online. A reasonable place to start is the TERAVARNA online art marketplace, which is specifically built with various filters to help you make the right decision, like style, medium, and artist. Across a global roster of working artists, you can choose your perfect artwork. 

Buying original art online is not about knowing everything; it's just about asking the right questions–the rest is just about taste.