Starting an art collection is a great way to bring joy into your life every day. But for someone new to art, the world of art would seem cold and scary. With the abundance of options and platforms available to buy Indian art and works thanks to the rapidly growing online art market, the task of building a collection has become more daunting. Don’t worry, though. Here are some tips to help you put together a collection of art that you love:

Buy what you like (love)

The first and most important thing that experts tell new collectors is to always buy what they like, whether that’s modern Indian art or something else. Don’t forget that your art collection is a record of your life and your legacy, so build it the way you want to. 

Experts also say that being quick is very important. If you like a piece of art and have done your research, be sure of yourself and buy it, because you might not get another chance. Most collectors feel bad when they talk about the pieces they really liked but didn’t buy.

Find out more.

Don’t start collecting art without knowing much about it. Instead, learn as much as you can about it. Spend some time researching and reading about fine art. There are a lot of free and paid resources online that can help you improve your art skills. You can learn about art by reading, watching videos, or listening to podcasts and interviews with art lovers or top curators.

Be aware that building your own library of art is just as important as getting more art. Still, a knowledgeable collector is always a good collector, and art, which is full of a lot of information, also goes up in value.

Know what you like

Most buyers are just starting to build their art collection and are confused about their tastes and choices. If you are one of them, then cultivate your taste by learning about art. Explore your creative side by visiting galleries, art fairs, artists’ studios, museums, exhibitions, auctions, and even college art shows, or simply browsing online art galleries. This will help you decide if you want to buy Indian art or if you are more interested in minimalist art.

This will help you understand art better and help you find the art you love quickly.

Start small and get bigger.

Know that art comes in many shapes and sizes. You don’t have to buy expensive sculptures or huge modern paintings. You can start with smaller canvas painting, which would not only take up less wall space but also be within your budget.

If you don’t have much money, you could buy original prints of your favourite works of art until you have enough money to buy a one-of-a-kind piece. Even the most famous art collectors started out by owning limited edition prints, gradually moving to affordable original works by obscure artists, until they were able to buy works of acclaimed artists. Remember that building an art collection takes time, so be patient and make sure to hang some art on the walls, no matter how big or small.

Find out where to look

There is no one place to look for art that you can add to your collection. Without a doubt, the best way to see art is to live where it is and go there. But you can also look at art from the comfort of your own home through the digital platforms of galleries and museums.

Even though art is everywhere for experienced collectors, you should always start where you live. Online art galleries, art organisations, charity auctions, local art fairs and festivals, and grad school exhibitions are perfect places to begin with, allowing early access to emerging artists who are typically affordable. It is also not a bad idea to go to flea markets, conventions, trade shows, estate sales, and antique stores.

Make connections with the gallery

Talking to art experts will help you learn about art and give you the confidence to buy it with ease.

For example, if you want to buy modern Indian art paintings but have very little money, establishing a healthy relationship with a dealer and gallery specialising in selling modern Indian art would help you connect with emerging artists that are promising in the long term.

Stay on track.

Don’t let your need to buy art take over when you’re building your collection. Instead, make a plan to save a little bit of money every month so you can buy the best art you can afford.

You can even make rules that say you have to buy art with your bonus or tax refund. You can even set a limit on the number of purchases you make each year. This will keep you on track while you build up your art collection.

Set a Budget

At first, it may seem hard, but you’ll never be sorry if you go into an art gallery or show with a set budget. It will be easier to pass up artwork that is too expensive for you and give you the freedom to buy the next great piece for your collection.

Also, if you have a budget in mind, you will be able to negotiate the price of an art piece that is priced a little higher than what you are willing to pay.

The plan for paying

You might not feel comfortable talking about payment plans. Also, not every artist or gallery has one, but a lot of them do, so it’s best to ask.

Many artists and art galleries offer flexible payment plans with 30–50% down and the rest due within a certain amount of time. This makes it easier and more convenient for collectors on a tight budget to buy works of art they wouldn’t be able to consider otherwise.

Find out your “why”: passion, money, or fame

Knowing the ‘why’ of starting your art collection will help determine the best course of action, as well as define the budget you will be requiring to move forward.

If you love buying art, you’ll probably choose pieces based on how they look and how they make you feel. Make sure you don’t spend more than you can afford, so you don’t end up regretting the purchase.

If you are a speculative buyer who wants to buy low and sell high, all you want is to make money in the future.

If your status is what makes you buy, you must be buying art for its social value. When you host a show, you might hope that people will like you.

No matter why you want to buy art, it’s up to you. Just make sure to get and keep art that you love and admire.

You know what to do, so be sure of yourself and start your own art collection. Best of luck!