You don't need much money to build your art collection.
Some people think collecting art is only reserved for the wealthy. But the truth is, there are many affordable options for you to start collecting art. In fact, no matter what your budget is, collecting art doesn't need to break your bank account.
In this blog post, I'll share 9 helpful tips to help you start your art collection on a budget.
- Set a budget for your art collection
- Only collect art that you love!
- Look online for affordable artwork
- Start small
- Attend art fairs and exhibitions
- Purchase artwork from up-and-coming artists
- Buy art prints by well-known artists
- Frame your artwork yourself to save money
- Subscribe to artists' newsletters
So whether you're a beginner or an experienced collector, there's something for everyone in this informative post.
Let's get started!
Set a budget for your art collection
It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor – setting a budget is an essential first step in establishing your art collection.
When spending your money on art, there is no right answer to what percentage of your savings you should invest. But you need to be honest with yourself because it will help you make smart buying decisions so that overspending won't be an issue.
So always leave room in your budget for more important expenses like food, housing, and utilities (or even holidays).
If money is tight, consider saving some money every month in an art collection fund, even if it's just $10. This will help you build your collection over time without putting too much strain on your finances.
Only collect art that you love!
Collecting art is a very personal experience.
That's why, no matter what budget you're working with, it's important to pick and collect an art style that excites and interests you and, most importantly, that you love.
Plus, when you only collect art that you love, it makes choosing pieces much more straightforward and ensures that your collection will be one you're proud of.
So, what kind of art do you love?
There's no one right answer to this question – everyone has their own unique tastes when it comes to art.
But if you're looking for some inspiration, here are a few of my favorite types of art:
Abstract Art
Abstract art is a type of art that doesn't seek to represent reality but instead uses shapes, colors, and forms to create a mood or feeling. It can be representational or non-representational
Great abstract artists include Wassily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian, and Mark Rothko.
Contemporary Art
Contemporary art reflects current trends and issues using a variety of mediums, such as painting, sculpture, photography, video, and installation art.
Some well-known contemporary artists include Anish Kapoor, Jeff Koons, and Damien Hirst. They're some of the most famous contemporary artists of our time.
Cubism
Cubism is a type of modern art characterized by its use of geometric shapes and abstract forms, which often gives the pieces a fractured or deconstructed appearance.
Artists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque were some of the earliest and most influential cubism artists. Their work helped redefine the way we see and understand art.
Graffiti Art
Graffiti is a type of street art that uses spray paint and paste-ups on public surfaces. While it's often associated with vandalism, when done by skilled artists, it is sold in galleries and is considered to be fine art.
If you love graffiti art, be sure to check out the work of artists like Banksy, Futura 2000, and Shepard Fairey. They're some of my favorite graffiti artists of all time.
Minimalism
Minimalism is a type of modern art that emerged in the 1950s. It's characterized by its use of simple shapes, colors, and forms.
If you're interested in minimalist art, check out influential artists like Donald Judd, Frank Stella, and Sol LeWitt. They're some of my favorite artists of all time.
Pop Art
Pop art is modern art characterized by its bright colors, bold graphics, and commercial imagery. It reflects our consumer-driven society and can be interpreted as a commentary on popular culture.
If you're interested in pop art, be sure to check out the work of artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Jasper Johns.
Once you've decided what type of art you love, it's time to start looking for affordable pieces that fit your budget.
Look online for affordable artwork
There are countless online galleries and art marketplaces where you can find affordable artwork online.
Here are a few of my favorite online galleries to help you be a savvy art shopper!
Affiliate link disclosure - I may earn a commission at no cost to you if you purchase at the following websites. Thank you for supporting artists by purchasing their work!
Artsy is the leading online marketplace for art by emerging and established artists from around the world. You'll find everything you need to start or grow your art collection on Artsy, including affordable art for sale.
HandmadePiece aims to make your home as a private and unique art gallery with fabulous museum quality oil painting reproductions of masterpieces and raise the artistic taste in your living space. They focus on art reproductions on canvas which are all hand-painted by 100+ top professional and talented painters.
Minted is a design marketplace that connects you with independent artists. They offer a wide selection of limited edition fine art pieces that are perfect for any blank space. With a wide range of designs to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect piece for your collection.
Society6 offers a wide variety of affordable artworks perfect for filling up a blank wall. With prints starting at $10, you can create a gallery wall that expresses your personality and style. With a large selection of colors, styles, and subjects to choose from, Society6 has the perfect art print for you.
Saatchi Art is the perfect place to buy art online. With a wide variety of original art, photography, collages, canvas prints, oil paintings, and sculptures, there is something for everyone. Prices start at around $110 for original art and $75 for limited-edition prints – with such a great selection and prices, they are easy on the wallet.
ScottMoroschan.com – This list would not be complete if I did not mention my unique, original, creative gallery-quality fine art prints. All of my art prints are made on sustainably sourced Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308 gsm cotton paper with LUCIA PRO archival inks. Each print is hand-signed, titled, and dated in pencil on the reverse side (front on request) and includes a signed certificate of authenticity. I print and package my artwork myself in my Hamburg, Germany studio to guarantee the highest quality. And I donate 15% of profits to Save The Children. So when you collect my art, you're getting beautiful, affordable art and supporting a great cause!
All of the above websites offer a wide variety of artworks from both emerging and established artists, so there's something for everyone.
Start Small
When starting an art collection on a budget, it's best to start small and work your way up.
Building an art collection on a budget starts with the pieces you love and can afford. Once you have those first few key pieces, it might be time to start thinking about adding more expensive artwork as your wallet allows!
And always remember that the value of your art collection is more than just money. It should also reflect who you are and what matters most to you, so make sure you're buying pieces you love and connect with – not simply expensive ones!
Attend art fairs and exhibitions
One of the best ways to find affordable art is to attend art fairs and exhibitions.
These events are great because you can browse through a wide variety of art from different artists in one place. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to meet the artists in person and learn more about their work. And since most of these events are free to attend, they won't put a dent in your budget!
On a personal note: As an artist, it brings me a lot of pleasure to meet new collectors at art fairs and find out which of my works they connect with the most.
Purchase artwork from up-and-coming artists who are just starting out
Another great way to find affordable art is to purchase works from up-and-coming artists.
These artists are often more willing to sell their pieces for less because they're still building up their careers. But that doesn't mean their work is any less valuable – in fact, it can be a great way to get your hands on some truly unique pieces.
Plus, when you collect art from an up-and-coming artist, you're supporting their career and helping them to continue doing what they love.
On another personal note: 😉
Buy art prints by well-known artists
If you're on a tight budget but still dream of owning artwork from somebody famous, consider buying art prints from the same artist.
Art prints are reproductions of the artist's original work. These prints are usually more affordable than the originals, making them an excellent option for budget-minded art collectors.
Plus, with art prints, you'll still be able to enjoy the beauty of the original artwork without breaking the bank.
Frame your artwork yourself to save money
If you're looking for an extra way to save on your art collection, consider framing your artwork yourself.
Framing artwork is worth it if you want your pieces to last. And by doing it yourself, you'll be able to control the cost and end up with a frame that perfectly suits your artwork and budget. It's a great way to save money on your art collection!
Subscribe to artists' newsletters
One of the best ways to stay up-to-date on new affordable artwork and get first dibs on limited edition pieces is to subscribe to artists' newsletters.
Many artists will send out emails about their latest work, so you can be one of the first to know when they have something new available.
Plus, many artists offer discounts and special pricing to their newsletter subscribers, so you could also save money on your purchase!
One last final personal note: I always give my newsletter subscribers first dibs on my limited edition prints and new artwork, so be sure to sign up for my mailing list if you're interested in staying up-to-date on my latest work!
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Final thoughts
As you can see, there are plenty of affordable ways to start an art collection on a budget.
I hope you enjoyed these 9 helpful tips and that I inspired you to start collecting art.
And to help you get started, here's a 10% discount on your first purchase of my gallery-quality prints:
Just use your discount code START10 at checkout.
So what are you waiting for?
