How to buy original art

When it comes to art, we often know what we like, but have no idea how to go about buying an original artwork for our homes. Galleries can seem intimidating, but the vast majority are really helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. There’s really nothing to be afraid of, as we found out when we chatted to David Reid, of the Ballater Gallery…

‘Art should have a place in every home as it brings individuality to a home and shows creativity of the homeowners and their character and taste.  Choosing a painting you love will bring pleasure every day. For me, there’s nothing worse than a beige home with just a large screen television!’ David commented.

‘Galleries can sometimes feel a little scary, particularly if there’s a huge price tag on an important piece in the window, but from our own point
of view, everyone is treated with friendliness and respect and I do believe that most of our competitors are the same but, there will still be the odd gallery where a member of staff doesn’t lift their head. I think we can all think of a fashion shop or car showroom when this has happened so it’s not exclusively a gallery trait. People are always welcome to come in to browse, there’s no rush and no pressure to buy. 

‘If a gallery is well-established with a good website and selling original works of art then yes, works will have been curated with quality in mind, as well as different price points, a range of artists, styles, colour palettes and price points. We specialise in artists that are established and selling with galleries in Glasgow, Edinburgh and London. We stock many Scottish artists and have a series of online interviews with them talking about their work. 

‘Over 40 galleries in Scotland are part of the Own Art Scheme, which offers 10 months interest free credit on most pieces. It’s subject to usual credit checks but it’s a great way for many to purchase art which they may previously not have been able to, or to start building a collection.

‘Galleries aren’t the only way to buy an original artwork. You can buy at
auction, in person or over the internet, but you need to factor in buyer’s fees which can be 25-35% on top of the selling price and also packing and courier delivery charges. Sometimes these can come to more than the actual gallery buying price! Auctions are great if you want to buy an older work, rather than a contemporary piece. 

‘You can also buy direct from the artist, via their websites, art fairs or at events like NEOS. These are fantastic ways to buy locally and often you get a real chance to meet artists and talk to them directly. The majority of artists who are locally based often paint part time and not represented by galleries so it’s a great, and very affordable, way to discover an artist whose work you love. Degree Shows can be exciting places to find a future star, though some of the work isn’t commercial enough to be found in a gallery. Any of these are a great starting point for a collector. 

‘I’m often asked about art as an investment. My answer to this one is always simple. While many of our artists have seen their work sell at auction for much more than gallery price, it’s not common, so only buy what you absolutely love and treat it as a bonus if it sells one day for much more!’