The beginner’s guide
Start with your eye
Make looking your first investment
Visit museums, local galleries and graduate exhibitions. Keep a small list of works you return to and write down what draws you in. You do not need to buy anything to begin developing taste.
Set a total budget
Include framing, transport, insurance and any buyer’s premium or applicable taxes. Never use money you need for essentials. Art can be illiquid and selling may take time.
Original, edition or reproduction?
An original is a unique work. A limited-edition print belongs to a defined series and should have clear documentation. A reproduction is an image of an existing work; it is not the original artwork. Each can be enjoyable, but prices and expectations should be different.