Buying your first work of art is an exciting and rewarding experience.
If you’re new to the process, galleries can sometimes feel a little intimidating, but they don’t have to be. In reality, buying art is more straightforward than you might think, and the gallery is there to guide and support you every step of the way.
Opting for a reputable gallery is in fact one of the best ways to ensure you’re making a confident and informed purchase. Established galleries can authenticate artworks, provide clear provenance, and offer expert guidance throughout the process.
Follow our step-by-step guide to buying artwork from a gallery.
1. Select work that inspires you
Start with artwork that genuinely captures your interest.
Pay attention to how an artwork makes you feel. Do the colours, subject or style appeal to you?Is this a piece you’d enjoy living with? It can help to think about where the artwork might live in your home or office. Consider light, wall colour and surrounding décor.
Don’t be afraid to look at work by emerging or lesser-known artists. Their work is often more affordable, and you’ll be supporting artists at an exciting stage in their careers.
2. Speak to the gallery
Once you’ve found a piece you like, either online or in person, the next step is to speak to the gallery.
You might talk with the gallery manager, gallery assistant or art consultant. They can offer insights into the artwork and the artist, and help you understand what you’re looking at.
If you’ve discovered the work online, you can usually arrange to view it in person before committing. Having someone who knows the work deeply and can talk you through it often makes the whole experience calmer, clearer and more enjoyable.
They can share valuable information about the artist, including their exhibition history, critical reception and, where appropriate, the long-term potential of their work.
They can provide insights about the artwork, the artist, and help guide you through the rest of the process. Having a go-to person at a gallery can make the entire process much smoother as they tailor it to your needs.
They’ll also be to advise you on any framing or delivery costs to take into account.
At Hancock Gallery, our team knows the artwork intimately and is always happy to talk through details at your pace. There are no wrong questions. We can chat through whatever you need to help you feel confident in your choice.
3. Making payment
There are various ways to pay for your artwork.
You can pay upfront either through bank transfer or by making a card payment at the gallery. There are also payment options that let you spread the cost instead of paying the full amount upfront.
Financing schemes like OwnArt are designed to help make art more accessible. They provide interest-free loans to help individuals buy art. You could also look to pay on an interest-free instalment plan. Setting this up is a simple process, and we can provide all the information you need.
You can discuss your various finance options with the gallery to see what suits your budget and comfort level.
4. Arranging collection or delivery
If you’ve purchased artwork in person, you may be able to take it home with you straight away, depending on the size and fragility of the piece.
If the work is too large or delicate to transport, or if you’re buying online, the gallery can arrange delivery for you.
Delivery costs depend on the artwork and destination, and we can offer either specialist art delivery services or trusted courier options. It’s always worth discussing this in advance so that we can choose the most suitable solution.
5. Hanging your work
Once your artwork arrives, how you hang it makes a real difference to its impact.
Thoughtful positioning, good lighting and secure fixings can completely change how a piece feels in a space.
We’re always happy to advise on the best way to hang and care for your artwork, and we also offer home consultations to help you place your new piece with confidence.
You can also find further guidance on hanging artwork in your home on our website.
Fine art prints for first-time art buyers
If you are buying art for the first time, fine art prints are often an excellent place to start. Limited edition prints offer an accessible and affordable way to own high quality, authentic art work, created by an artist you admire. They open up a world of possibilities in which to explore your personal taste, from discovering emerging artists to owning a beloved work from an established artist that might otherwise feel out of reach.
Start your collection and explore our collection of limited edition prints, at Hancock Gallery.
