How to choose a painting - is there an after sales service?

After-sales service (or customer service) is provided by the artist or the gallery should something go wrong after the sale of the painting. And my guess is your next question might be: “What could possibly go wrong?”


In fact, several things can go wrong, often because conditions in your home are inevitably very different from those in the artist’s studio or gallery. I’ll mention a few examples:
1. The image could slip from its mount (usually only in the first three months)
2. The frame’s mitred corners can become detached. Even if it’s only slightly, this is enough to cause a distraction and take away the pleasure the painting gives you.
Again I am talking about a relatively short period of time,


You will need to ask what the after sales service is.
 In my studio when a patron buys a painting I offer the following:


1. Full documentation: a photo or slide of the painting for my patron’s record and insurance purposes; a short biography; the receipt giving the full price paid for the painting, and the exhibiting history of the painting (if there is one)
2. My patron has the opportunity to exchange work that he/she has bought in the past for new or larger works. The exchange is done on the original price of the purchased painting
3. My paintings are framed to conservation level, the level used by museums


My last post on How to choose a painting will review the information that’s been covered. In the meantime, leave me your questions and anything you think I should add onto this e-course.
Until then, warm regards,
Marie

How to choose a painting - financing

In this session I want to speak about finances and financing. You’ve seen a work of art that’s caught your eye and captured your heart – but the price is over your budget.

What now? Don’t give up! There are several ways around this problem:
1. Speak with the gallery owner
2. Express your interest
3. Tell them what your budget is
4. Express your desire to own this piece of work. It sometimes helps the gallery owner if you say what attracts you

The gallery owner may introduce you to the ‘OWN ART SCHEME’, which is supported by the Arts Council. This is a scheme whereby you agree on monthly interest-free payments and have up to 12 months to pay for your chosen piece of work, usually by direct debit. The artist is paid immediately.

In my studio, when such a situation comes up I suggest paying with a series of post-dated cheques that works with your budget. This facility is interest free and, depending on the cost of the painting, you have up to 18 months to complete your payments.

Alternatively a potential patron and I will look at the budget they have available, negotiate on the price and meet each other half way. This is a very popular method because it brings the cost of the painting closer to my patron’s budget.

I am happy when one of my paintings goes to a good home with a happy patron, when both of us have reached our objective: the patron is able to buy the painting and I (as both artist and gallery owner) provide my painting with a good home.

I also offer another option: a patron who has bought several of my paintings can exchange them for either a larger or more up-to-date painting, making up any difference in price.

I am willing to investigate all possibilities to make the painting available. It pleases me a great deal to have a patron walk out of my studio with their choice of painting. I was given this opportunity when I started my own collection and feel it honours the gallery owner who allowed me to buy works I could previously have only dreamed of owning. I pass his generosity on to you.

One last word of advice: ASK! The reply might surprise you.
Warm regards,
Marie

How to choose a painting - what is meant by preferred medium?

I hope you’re feeling more comfortable about engaging with an artist and pleased with all the information you’re getting about the painting you like.

Today, I’d like to talk about what an artist means when they speak of a ‘preferred medium’. This usually refers to what an artist is working with to create their paintings. It’s also another word for ‘paint’.

A painting is a layered structure (canvas, paper, board); the surface’s preparation (‘ground’, in art jargon); and its layers of colour. Applying layers of colour means using a ‘medium’ – better known as paint.

The three most frequently used paints are oils, watercolour, and acrylics. I’ll stick to these three for the time being. All of them begin with the basic ingredient: dry pigment, the ingredient that provides colour.

Oil paint is oil-based, can be purchased in tubes and is ‘thinned’ with oil-based ingredients followed by spreading with a brush or palette knife on a prepared surface of canvas or board. A glossy finish distinguishes a painting in oil.

Watercolour is water-based, can be purchased in tubes and pans, is ‘thinned’ with water and applied with a brush to paper made flat and smooth by ‘stretching’.

A painting in watercolour is distinguished by its light, gentle and transparent colours,

Acrylic paint is usually referred to as ‘plastic paint’, can be purchased in tubes or jars and is ‘thinned’ with an acrylic medium or water. Its colours are distinguished by their brightness and opaqueness.

If you can’t recognize the medium, it’s a good idea to ask what it is.

My preferred medium is acrylics, although I’ve also worked extensively with oils, watercolour and gouache. I also make my own paint: if you’re interested, email me and I will send you my recipe.

This is a vast and interesting field and I’ve barely touched the surface!
Until next session, warm regards,
Marie

How to choose a painting - what questions do I ask?

Now that you’re well on your way to finding an artist whose work you like, you need to enter into a meaningful dialogue with them so you can find out more about their work. So today I’ll look at some key questions to get the ball rolling.

There are two settings where you’ll be able to meet the artist face to face: at an exhibition of the artist’s work when they are present; and in their studio. Whatever the setting, the key questions will be the same and will be about the work or about personal details. Approach the artist using the painting you selected and like (using the eight questions to help you identify this) and begin your meaningful dialogue to get more information about it from the person who created it.

Here are some key questions to help you to do this:
1. This painting evokes (name the feeling) in me. Is this the feeling you had in mind when you painted it?
2. Is there a story behind this painting?
3. Where did the idea for this painting come from?
4. How did you choose the colours for this painting?
5. How long did the painting take?

Keep in mind that each question will open an opportunity to ask more questions, and the reply may well warrant a different question. You may have better questions and you may want to pass them on to me.

You may also want personal details, such as:
1. When did you graduate from art school?
2. How long have you been painting?
3. Has your painting style changed over the years?
4. What is your preferred medium?

Try to follow the ‘thread’ between questions and answers. You have a distinctive advantage; any artist loves the opportunity to talk about their work. The important thing, from your point of view, is that you’re gathering information and I’m hoping you’re enjoying the process along the way.

Next time I will talk about what is meant by a ‘preferred medium’ used in painting.

Until then, warm regards, 

Marie

PS: When you have met an artist in this way, please let me know which questions you felt were most helpful in engaging them in dialogue.