The internet has made buying artwork easier and more convenient than ever before. Now, you can get authentic art pieces from recognized artists overseas with just a few simple clicks. However, purchasing art online comes with a unique set of risks. Here are a few important tips and tricks you must keep in mind before buying art online to keep those risks at bay.
1. Research Everything
You should never buy an art piece blindly. The first thing you should do is check the reliability of the online art dealers and how they connect the artists, galleries, and clients.
To make sure the website and artwork are genuine, try looking at the customer reviews, ratings, and expert feedback of that business. The Internet can help you find relevant materials and ratings from previous customers within minutes. So, do not hesitate to use it. If you have doubts about the authenticity of the reviews and ratings, you can even contact relevant experts for guidance.
Of course, your research shouldn’t end here. You can delve deeper into the research to:
- Understand the artworks and the artists better
- Find out more about the galleries selling the art pieces
- Get advice on the art pieces that would fit your room’s environment
- Learn more about the materials used to create or print the artwork
2. See If the Art Piece has a Certificate of Authenticity
If an online platform sells authentic art pieces, it should have Certificates of Authenticity for those artworks. In many cases, this certificate can be as important as the art piece itself.
Every genuine artwork should have a certificate of authenticity whether or not the piece is for sale. The document should clearly state the identity of the artist, the date of the artwork’s creation, and the information on the origin, history, and authenticity of the art.
So, if you’re a collector of original art, don’t forget to check for its certificate of authenticity before making the purchase. This way, you won’t have to deal with problems related to replicas and price depreciation when selling the original artwork.
3. Read the Shipping and Return Policy Carefully
Always pay attention to the shipping policies of the online platforms before buying artwork from them.
Artwork is a delicate thing. The company should ship them using proper packaging and transportation methods to avoid damage. The platform should also clearly state how long it will take for the package to reach your location and estimate the delivery charges.
Many independent artists selling art on Foundmyself, Etsy, and ArtPal can also choose to ship their pieces on their own. So, you should contact the platform for the shipping details of the individual artists or galleries before making a purchase too.
Lastly, don’t forget to read the return policy of the online art sites. The platform should provide easy ways to return the art if it’s damaged during the delivery or the art is not authentic.
4. Set a Budget
One of the biggest advantages of buying art online is the endless options of artworks the websites offer compared to the physical galleries. You can browse thousands of art pieces within minutes while sitting on your cozy sofa comfortably.
However, this also makes choosing a single artwork difficult. To avoid trouble, you should set a fixed budget, which will help you narrow down the scope of your search. You won’t want to fall in love with an artwork, only to realize that you can’t buy it because of financial restraints. Well, it won’t be a pretty situation. You will be tempted to overstretch your budget just to get that art piece. And if you really do, you might regret it later.
5. Buy Artwork While Keeping the Dimensions of Your Walls in Mind
Always remember—you’re buying artwork to hang it on a wall of your choice. So, you should choose the dimensions of the art accordingly. For example, if the size of a painting is too big for a wall or if the wall of your choice doesn’t have enough space, the ambiance will just feel too cluttered. On the other hand, buying an art piece that is very small in size compared to the wall of your choice will make your room or wall seem empty. None of these situations are something you would want. That’s why you must keep the dimensions of your wall in mind while purchasing art online.
Conclusion
Buying art online allows you to add unique art pieces to your collection that you would have never found locally. As long as you keep the tips we mentioned in mind, you can safely get your hands on authentic artwork without leaving the comfort of your home. Make smart decisions while shopping online, and you will be happy for years.