How to choose a painting - getting started

I can’t tell you how many times I hear the phrase: “I don’t buy art for investment, I buy it because I like it”. Buying a piece of art because you like it is the most valid reason for making such a purchase. However, I reply by saying: “Why not have your cake and eat it?” This means buying what you like or what has caught your eye, but – with a little bit of research – making the best possible purchase from an informed point of view with the funds available. What an excellent way of acquiring a good piece of art and beginning to make your way into the market! 


Understanding what you like or dislike about a painting – and why – will save you making expensive mistakes and ensure that you always get joy from your art purchases. When you look at a painting, there are eight key questions you need to ask yourself:

     

1.                What feeling do you get from looking at this painting?

2.                Why do you get this feeling?

3.                Does it remind you of something?

4.                Is there something pleasing about the painting?

5.                Is there anything unsettling about the painting?

6.                If the painting were yours what name would you give it?

7.                Now that you’ve named the painting, does it change the way you see it?

7.                Does naming it make you want to look at it again?

Here are some paintings to look at whilst you consider these questions http://www.marielaywine.com/acatalog/Angel_Gallery.html