Where to buy art online
You’ve worked hard to curate your perfect space. But we all know that no space is complete without artwork to tie everything together. But where does one buy art online? Is it safe? It is no secret that more and more people are turning to the online marketplace when they need to shop and art is no exception.
We understand that it may seem unusual for some people to purchase a piece of art online from a website or an online gallery. After all, isn’t art a truly personal and emotional choice and experience that calls for some basic in-person interaction?
But the online art marketplace has evolved tremendously in the last couple of years. These days, there is an abundance of places to buy art online. Even better, there is plenty of unique artwork to suit your taste, style, and preference; you just have to know where to look.
What’s great about buying art online today is that the marketplace delivers a wide array of expertise and information for novice buyers to help them make informed decisions. Don’t know your cubists from impressionists? Your Hockneys from Hirsts? There is always someone to guide you when you shop for art online.
Why else should you buy your art online?
The technological advancement that has taken place so far has opened numerous doors and opportunities for art lovers to transcend traditional methods of buying and selling their beloved art collections. Some more benefits of buying art online include:
The sheer convenience of it
Simply put, nothing could be faster than buying art online these days. Unlike traditional methods that require you to plan out your day to physically look for and view the art that you want to purchase, buying online is a simple and convenient process.
You can do it in your free time and you don’t have to set an entire day aside to get it done. And you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home or office to do it. If that’s not convenient, what is?
A wider array of artists to choose from
Who doesn’t want as much variety as possible when shopping online? The internet is an endless trove for art lovers looking for fresh new faces and works. It doesn’t matter where in the world you are, you can purchase art from an artist across the globe and your prized possession will be delivered to you at your doorstep. When shopping online for art, you are not limited by your geographic location; you can explore far and wide until you find a style and piece that you like.
It’s easy
Buying art from traditional marketplaces such as galleries can often be very intimidating, especially for new and inexperienced buyers. But that’s not the case when shopping online. Online art shopping prevents you from succumbing to the pressure of an unnecessary and sometimes uncomfortable sales pitch from a gallery worker.
Delivery is also as easy
When you purchase art online, it will be delivered to your door, fully insured, and packed carefully to prevent damage. However, when you buy from a gallery, sometimes you are required to carry a heavy piece home.
Should you buy prints online?
In the art world, prints can mean an array of things. Prints can refer to woodcuts, screenprints, and lithographs. Printmakers sometimes produce several editions of a single work. In some instances, prints can also mean original photography or a silver gelatin print, which simply means that the print was first shot on camera before being reproduced in a dark room.
These two types of prints can be quite expensive. However, if you can afford this type of print, it can be a great way of displaying and adding to your print collection. However, if you do not have the money to invest in expensive original prints, then your next best option would be to go for digital reproductions.
For obvious reasons, digital reproductions tend to be frowned upon in the art world. Part of the reason why some art snobs look down on them is because of originality issues. Think of it this way; there are only a few original Monet’s Water Lilies and yet you’ll find hundreds of digital prints available for purchase online.
But prints are great among art lovers and art enthusiast; especially those that cannot afford to invest in the real thing. Lots of artists produce prints to make their work accessible. Once framed, digital prints can look just as good as work that’s been painted on canvas.
It is important to note that although some prints are copies or posters of original works, there are plenty of original prints available as well. Prints are effortless mediums to showcase when compared to large-scale sculptures, artwork, and paintings. As a result, art prints are quickly becoming the number one choice for people looking to add a touch of elegance into their spaces without breaking the bank.
However, as prints are often paper-based, they require a lot of special care. Some things that an individual has to think about when it comes to print maintenance include natural light, temperature, humidity, as well as wear and tear.
Where can you buy prints and art online?
As discussed earlier, numerous online platforms can allow you to buy art and prints. Some of the most popular places, however, include:
SaatchiArt
SaatchiArt boasts a comprehensive collection of art available for buyers with different price points. Some of what you will find on this online marketplace include collages, oil paintings, sculptures, as well as photography. In addition, SaatchiArt also has a comprehensive collection of limited edition prices that can be purchased for as low as $100.
Paper Collective
Paper Collective sells artwork and received a small commission from the artists, designers, or illustrators that create prints, posters, cards, and accessories available for sale. Paper Collective is Copenhagen-based and all materials available for purchase are eco-friendly, which speaks to buyers that are more concerned about the environment. In addition to that, 10% of anything sold on this website goes to a charity of the artist’s choosing.
Absolut Art
This online platform is the brainchild of Swedish vodka brand Absolut. The website was created in 2015 to avail signed, numbered, and limited edition prints from various modern artists in different sectors and genres like photography and graphic design.
All the prints available on the Absolut Art website are printed and made in Stockholm, but the offerings available for sale can also be customized easily. The works also come with a certificate of authenticity.
Society6
Anyone looking for a wide array of prints to choose from will be pleased by what Society6 has to offer you. Their assorted collection is made up of whimsical, quality, and affordable prints that will suit buyers with different price points. From watercolor florals and nature scenes to beautiful abstracts that add elegance to any wall, you’ll find it all in Society6.
Artfinder
ArtFinder hasn’t been in existence for very long, having only been founded in 2013. If you are looking for original art pieces from any part of the globe, you are far more likely to find them on Artfinder.
When you are on the website, you can find your style easily by sorting out the offerings available by style or medium. There are more than 20,000 pieces to choose from of various types. Some of the most popular styles include photography, sculpture, digital art, and more. Any work that you buy on this online art store will be signed by the artist for authenticity’s sake.
Minted
Minted is primarily known for selling quirky and fun greeting cards. However, they also sell drawings, a wide selection of prints, photography, and more that has been sourced from independent artists from all over the world. Prices on minted can be as low as $20, but they can also go as high as $1000, depending on what you are looking for.
Etsy
Etsy is by far one of the most popular names on this list. Most shoppers turn to Etsy when they are looking for affordable home décor items, artwork, and remarkable paintings. Etsy has every type of art imaginable, from bespoke oil paintings that must be commissioned to simple prints that you can frame yourself.
Artsy
Artsy has partnership agreements with more than 2,000 galleries, museums, foundations, and art fairs. This makes it easy for buyers to find exactly what they are looking for. Once they find their preferred piece, the buyer only needs to connect with a dealer directly on the site, and voila! What’s impressive about Artsy is that it is constantly updating its collection, which means that you are never out of options.
Tappan Collective
Tappan helps to connect new artists to seasoned art collectors. As such, if you are an experienced buyer that is looking for a curated collection or exhibition, then the Tappan Collective will be an excellent choice for you. Tappan Collective has everything an art buyer needs, from large-scale paints that are priced as high as $10000 to small handmade ceramics that are slightly more affordable.
BetterShared
BetterShared was founded in 2016 by Swakara Atwell-Bennett. Unlike most of these other online platforms discussed here, BetterShared deals exclusively with art made by African artists. BetterShared is based in the UK, but it has a broad range of shipping options for international buyers. Buyers can choose from a varied collection that is made up of photos, paintings, prints, and mixed media.
ArtSpace
ArtSpace easily stands out from other online websites that sell art because it offers one-click purchasing instead of bidding. The artists that sell on Artspace are some of the world’s best contemporary artists, which is great for anyone looking for high-end or luxury art pieces. You can easily filter the artwork available by price so that you only shop what you can afford.
A few things to remember when buying art online
Whenever possible, purchase directly from the artist’s website
Buying art from online platforms is a convenient way to find what you need, especially if you are interested in perusing an enormous database of artists and artwork, both prints, as well as original works. However, artists who list their creations on these sites often have to part with a commission that’s awarded to the website after every sale.
As such, before you click the buy button, try and check if the artist you are interested in supporting has his or her own website where you can purchase from. Because there isn’t a commission fee, you’ll find that buying art directly from the artist’s website can actually be cheaper. Plus, if you want any adjustments, such as a different medium or size, you can request any changes without having to deal with an intermediary.
Buy a print and frame it yourself
If budget is an issue, consider buying a print and framing it yourself to save on shipping costs. There are plenty of standard frames available for purchase at art supply stores that you can install yourself. However, if you need help, you can also ask a local framer to do it for you using the style and color of frame that you prefer.
Use the wall preview feature
Online art shops now have features that allow you to preview how your chosen artwork will look on your wall. You can use such tools to adjust the size and color of the wall so that it matches what you have at home. You can also change the settings of these tools to reflect your bedroom, dining area, or even reception area in your workplace.
These tools are great as they give you a preview of how your art will look like once it has been delivered. The last thing you want is to spend heftily on a piece only for it to get home and it doesn’t work with the rest of your home or office décor.
Always read the return policy
It doesn’t matter where you intend to buy your art from, a gallery or an online store; you should always read the store’s return policy. This will ensure that you can easily return your chosen artwork if it doesn’t meet your standards or if it arrives having sustained any damage from the transportation process. If this was ever the case, you need to be sure that you can return the artwork in question without any fears.
Final Thoughts
Although buying art online can be extremely convenient, it can also be quite a nerve-wracking process. If you are hesitant about acquiring your art online, these tips should help to take away any concerns or worries that you may have about buying online art.