How to Buy Paintings Online

Just like so many other things in our lives, Internet has significantly changed the art market. Perhaps, now more than ever we truly have the choices to purchase an artwork that touches our heart. Yet, while the Internet can offer us an unprecedented number of options, buying art online has its own nuances. However if you use the power of Internet, an artwork that you find irresistible is right at your fingertips. Making any purchase is an emotional behavior. Normally when you make a purchase you should use logic as opposed to acting on impulse so that you get a good deal and purchase the item that best suits your needs.

However, art is personal and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Therefore, in this instance I believe you should forget about logic and use your emotions to choose your artwork. Heeding your gut instinct is always a good idea when purchasing art, but there are some practical considerations to take into account as well.

• Decide on a spot. Be aware of lighting and windows because the way the light hits the painting will have an impact. I would advise against displaying a painting in direct sunlight, because it would be susceptible to the ultraviolet rays of the sun and fading will occur. You can decide on a couple of locations and make your final decision when you have the painting on hand.
• Measure the space in which you want to hang or place the art and note the approximate size. Don’t worry too much about being exact. Just get an idea, because when you are browsing you’ll
  have to be flexible about the exact size available.
• Take notice of the surroundings. This includes things like the wall color, furniture, flooring and existing décor. Taking note of this will help you decide on a painting that doesn’t clash with the room’s ambiance.
• Determine whether you want to buy art by subject or color or whether you would rather be wowed by a
  particular piece.
• View art on the internet in its largest possible size .Copy the measurements to be sure that it’s the right size for the space.
• View art on the internet with the highest-resolution monitor you can.
• Decide on a subject. What subject matter interests you ? What colors do you prefer ? You don’t need to be exact about the theme because as you are browsing you’ll find many subjects that will interest you. For example, for an office you may want subjects such as inspirational, motivational or vintage. For a kitchen you may want to browse subjects such as still life or cuisien. There are a wide
  variety of subjects available. It is probably best to have a specific subject or piece already in mind and then locate it on the internet. Having something in mind will help you get started and save you some time.
• Decide in a budget. Know that you can spend anywhere from $20 (for a poster) to $2,000 (for a painting) for art purchased over the internet. Many specialized websites allow consumers to do searches within a specific price range. Make a decision as to how much you want to spend. This will help you pass on those paintings
  that are out of your price range, thus saving time.
• Research the biography of an artist. Chances are if you like one of his or her pieces, you’ll like another.
• Decide on the material. Do you want your painting on canvas or paper ? A canvas print can be ready to hang and doesn’t need glass or a mat. However, canvas is more expensive because of the reproduction process.
• Decide if you want a mat. A mat is the cardboard frame around the artwork, It helps the viewer focus on the artwork and can enhance the piece by using a color that accents the art.

  A mat also protects the artwork by keeping a small air space between the art and the glass. This helps protect the art in humid conditions and helps to prevent paper wrinkling, mildew and color fading. When purchasing a mat make sure it’s acid free.
  

  
  

  Single mats: popular uses for single mats include abstract art, contemporary art and posters, because they give a clean, crisp look.

  
  

  Double mats: these mats give the piece a formal, traditional or classic look.

  
  

  Triple mats: triple mats can aid in matching the room color, creating a eye-catching effect and adding contrast without disturbing the original artwork.

  
  

  When not to use a mat:
  

  
  Canvas paintings usually look better without a mat as do some art prints such as posters that already incorporate a design that gives the same effect as a mat. And keep in mind that small prints seem even smaller when using mat.

• To frame or not to frame. Will you be framing the piece ? Frames come in a variety of colors and textures and are made of different materials. The most important function of the frame is to enhance the art work.

  You may also want to consider that if you have the option of buying the painting unframed. Many art websites offer the option, and purchasing unframed art is cheaper and makes shipping easier. The down side is that you’ll have to take the time to go to your local framings shop or do it yourself.