by Matthea
Status: 08.19.2026
6 tips on what to look out for when buying art
Key points at a glance
- When buying a painting, you should focus above all on your own taste, your budget, the artist, the quality and authenticity of the work, and how it will look in your home. The purchase, delivery and documentation should also be clarified in advance.
- These six tips for buying paintings will help you compare artworks more effectively, put prices into perspective, understand an artist’s development and avoid common uncertainties when buying art.
- These tips are particularly helpful for beginners, but also for collectors and anyone looking to buy a painting online and compare originals, editions or reproductions.
- Start by defining your personal taste and a realistic price range. You can then compare works and artists and check details regarding condition, authenticity, delivery and returns. For larger purchases, a personal consultation can provide further guidance.
The decision to buy a work of art is a very personal one. Of course, you should familiarise yourself with the background of the work and the artist, and you can also buy art purely as an investment – but art remains a subjective matter. That means: trust yourself and your instincts. It’s a choice based on a motif, a mood, a story – and perhaps an artist whose development you’d like to follow over the years. At the same time, the art market can seem confusing, especially for beginners: what makes a work valuable? How much should you spend? And how can you tell if an offer is genuine? Here, tips on buying paintings are very helpful.
The good news is that you don’t need to be an art historian to make good decisions. If you take a little time before buying to consider your own taste, the artwork, the artist and the broader context, you can avoid many uncertainties. These six tips for buying a painting will help you, step by step, to find the artwork that really suits you.
Tip 1 for buying a painting: Buy a painting that you really like
The most important tip of all when buying a painting may sound obvious at first: buy art that you enjoy looking at. Especially when buying art for the first time, there’s a strong temptation to be swayed by big names, so-called ‘insider tips’ or claims about potential appreciation in value. But a work of art isn’t hung in your home for the market’s sake; it’s there to accompany you in your everyday life.
So take time to discover your own taste. Which colours appeal to you? Which motifs stick in your mind? Do you like abstract art, landscapes, portraits or rather unusual hybrid styles? Perhaps you’ve long had a preference for a particular art movement without being able to put a name to it until now. It helps to see as much art as possible. Visit exhibitions, galleries and museums, and make a mental note of works that you like at first glance. Over time, you’ll start to recognise patterns: perhaps certain colours, compositions or techniques keep cropping up. This is precisely how your personal style can develop.
You should also trust your gut feeling. When buying a work of art, there’s no objective formula for which piece is bound to move you. A work may be significant in art-historical terms and still leave you cold. Conversely, an unknown artist might create a painting that you’ll still enjoy looking at years later. That doesn’t mean that background knowledge is unimportant. On the contrary: the more you know about art, the easier it is to make sense of your own reaction. But knowledge should broaden your taste, not replace it.
Tip 2 for buying a painting: Know your budget – and the additional costs
One of the most important tips for buying a painting is to set a realistic budget. Before you start your search, you should decide how much you’re willing to spend on a work of art. This doesn’t have to be a rigid limit. A price range often makes more sense: for example, 300 to 600 euros or 1,000 to 2,000 euros. Why is this helpful? Because the art market offers an enormous range of prices. Originals can be available for as little as a few hundred euros, whilst works by established artists can easily cost several thousand euros or considerably more. Setting a fixed range prevents you from looking exclusively in price brackets that are actually out of your reach.
Also, factor in additional costs. Depending on the artwork, framing, postage, insurance or special packaging may be required. For a large-format painting, safe transport alone can amount to a significant sum. You should therefore ask before purchasing which services are included in the price. And how much should you actually pay for a painting? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this. The price depends, amongst other things, on the artist’s profile, their exhibition history, the technique, the materials used, the size, demand and the relevant market. Whether it is a unique piece or part of an edition also makes a difference.
Prices for emerging artists are often still comparatively low. This can be of interest if you’re keen to collect art and discover new voices. At the same time, a low price does not automatically mean that a work is undervalued – and, conversely, a high price is no guarantee of high quality. So here’s a useful tip when buying a painting: compare similar works and prices before you make your decision. Particularly with established artists, past sales and auction results can provide additional guidance. When buying art, however, it’s not about ‘haggling’ for the last euro, but about finding a price that you feel is fair for that specific work.
3. Tip for buying a painting: Find out about the artist behind the work
A painting rarely stands alone. Behind it is a person with their own visual language, training, background and artistic development. One of the best tips when buying art is therefore: don’t just look at the individual painting, but also at the artist’s body of work as a whole. How long has the artist been working professionally? Where did they study? What exhibitions have they had? Are their works represented in galleries? Which themes and techniques recur in their work? And above all: is the work you’re buying typical of their artistic development, or is it an unusual exception?
These questions will help you better understand an artist’s artistic stance. When buying art for personal enjoyment, it isn’t crucial whether the artist is already a big name. A special tip when buying paintings: young artists in particular, who are still at the start of their careers, can develop exciting artistic approaches.
If you’re interested in an artist, it’s therefore worth looking at several of their works. Perhaps you’ll be drawn not just to a single painting, but to their entire visual language. This could be the start of a genuine passion for collecting. On the other hand, anyone speculating solely on potential capital appreciation should delve much deeper into the art market. Exhibitions, gallery representations, museum acquisitions, publications, awards and the trend in past sale prices can provide clues – though there is no guarantee of future value appreciation.
Which artists should you buy now? This question, too, cannot be answered reliably with a fixed list. Trends change, and collectors’ tastes can shift within a few years. It may be more interesting to keep an eye on artists whose work appeals to you and who, at the same time, demonstrate a recognisable artistic development. In our ‘Artist of the Month’ section, we therefore showcase particularly promising SKM talents every month.
Tip 4 for buying a painting: Check the quality, authenticity and condition
One of the most important tips for buying a painting concerns examining the work itself. Especially if you’re spending a significant amount of money, you should know exactly what you’re actually purchasing. Firstly, you should clarify whether it is an original, a print or a reproduction. An original is a work of art created individually. With prints or other editions, on the other hand, there are multiple copies. This is by no means automatically a bad thing – a limited edition can also be an interesting way to collect art. You can find out more about this in our article ‘What is an art print – and how does it differ from the original?’.
With an original painting, you should pay attention to the materials used and the craftsmanship. What technique was used? What was the support material? How was the paint applied? Are there any visible signs of damage, cracks or flaking? For second-hand works, the condition is also a key factor. Equally important is the question of authenticity. A certificate of authenticity can confirm that a work is attributed to a specific artist. Depending on the artist, age and market value, further documentation regarding the work’s history – its provenance – may also be relevant. For high-value works, an expert appraisal may be advisable.
Reputable sellers should be able to provide transparent answers as to where a work comes from, when it was created and what information is available regarding its authenticity. So don’t be afraid to ask questions. Particularly when buying a work of art, it is entirely legitimate to want to know exactly what you are buying before making payment. When looking at online listings, you should also ensure that the photos are clear and informative. Ideally, they should show not only the overall view but also details of the surface, the signature and the reverse side. With a painting, the texture of the paint application in particular can account for a large part of its impact – this cannot always be fully assessed on a screen.
Tip 5 for buying a painting: Check whether the artwork suits you and your room
What is Another of the six tips for buying a painting concerns a point that is easily underestimated: the interplay between the artwork and the room. A painting may look fantastic on a screen but suddenly appear quite different on your own wall. Therefore, pay attention to the dimensions. How large is the available wall space? How high will the artwork be hung? Are there any pieces of furniture, doors or windows that need to be taken into account? Lighting conditions also play a role. Direct sunlight can damage certain materials over time and also alters the perception of colours. You shouldn’t underestimate the impact of colour either. A bold, large-scale piece can dominate a room, whilst a small painting tends to act as an accent. That said, art doesn’t necessarily have to match the colour scheme of your décor. A deliberate contrast can actually be particularly intriguing.
If you’re thinking of buying a painting online, it can help to place the artwork virtually in your own room. That’s why, on Studierenden-Kunstmarkt, you can ‘hang’ all the artworks digitally directly on your wall using the ‘View in room’ button (on your smartphone). Even better: if possible, view the original in person. In a gallery or exhibition, you can experience the size, surface and colour effect first-hand. This is particularly helpful with textured or large-format works.
Also, think about whether you’d like to keep the artwork in the long term. A piece of art doesn’t have to match your current décor perfectly. Furniture can be replaced, and walls can be redecorated. A painting that truly inspires you can outlast a move or a change of décor.
Tip 6 for buying a painting: Find out about the purchase, delivery and documentation
The final tip concerns the practical details. Even if you’ve found the piece you’ve been looking for, the purchase isn’t truly complete until the terms and conditions are right. Before buying, clarify who the seller is and what information is available about the artwork. If you’re buying from a gallery or an established art dealer, you can usually ask specific questions about the artist, materials, year of creation and provenance. Even when buying directly from an artist, it’s worth getting all the important details in writing.
Pay attention to the invoice and ensure that the artwork is clearly labelled. For originals and editions, details such as the title, artist, technique, dimensions and, where applicable, the edition number should be documented in a transparent manner. A certificate of authenticity can supplement this documentation. You should also clarify delivery arrangements before making the purchase. How will the painting be packed? Is the transport insured? What happens if the work arrives damaged? And is there a returns policy? These questions are particularly important when buying online.
Buying online offers one major advantage: you can compare a very wide range of options. At the same time, you should take a closer look, as you may not have seen the original work in person beforehand. Reputable sellers therefore provide as much information and as many detailed photographs as possible. For larger investments, a personal consultation can be useful. Gallery owners, art advisers or experienced collectors can help you make sense of prices, artists and artworks. This does not mean you have to hand over your decision-making to them. Good advice should provide you with additional information so that you can decide for yourself. With us, you can receive free, no-obligation advice on your art purchase from our founder, Erich Reich.
Tips for buying paintings: How to enjoy your artwork for years to come
When buying art, you don’t have to settle for the first thing that comes along. Take your time, compare different works and consider what you’re looking for – a unique piece, a limited edition or an art print. Format, technique and artistic style will help you narrow down your choices, whilst comparing similar works will give you a better sense of price ranges. Also, familiarise yourself with the artist’s creative development, visual language and themes. If you’re buying online, pay attention to details about the artwork, its dimensions and year of creation, as well as close-up images, delivery and return options. Seeking advice can provide further guidance, but it should take your taste and budget into account.
Ultimately, the most important tips for buying a painting can be boiled down to one simple idea: do your research, but don’t lose sight of your own taste in the process. A good work of art doesn’t have to be by the most famous name, nor the biggest trend, nor the supposedly best investment. It should intrigue, surprise or move you, whilst also fitting your budget and your expectations. Take your time, ask questions and compare works and artists before you make a decision. Especially when making your first purchase, you don’t need to know everything. Every art purchase helps you to further develop your own taste and discover which art will stay with you in the long term.
Frequently asked questions about buying paintings
There is no set amount. When buying art, it is not just the size of a painting that determines the price. Other factors that play a role include the artist, technique, materials, date of creation, demand, exhibition history and market position. The difference between a unique piece and a print is also relevant. For beginners, it can be a good idea to start with an amount that feels comfortable financially. This allows you to gain experience without your first purchase becoming a major financial burden. If you later realise that you’re passionate about collecting, you can gradually increase your budget.
The value of a work of art cannot be determined solely by whether you like it. Factors relevant to a market-based valuation include, amongst others, the artist’s reputation, the quality of the work, the materials used, its condition, its provenance and comparable sale prices. With an unknown or emerging artist, valuation is more difficult because there is often less market data available. This does not automatically make the work any less interesting. If you are buying art primarily for yourself, personal value may well play a central role anyway.
Anyone looking for artists today should not simply follow current trends. It is more exciting to discover artists whose work appeals to you in the long term and who develop a distinctive visual language. Exhibitions, art fairs, galleries and online platforms can help you discover new names. For collectors interested in potential capital appreciation, more in-depth research is advisable. Exhibition history, gallery representation, awards, publications and past market trends can all provide useful clues. However, it is impossible to predict with certainty which artists will be successful in the future.
Yes – if you know what you hope to gain from the purchase. Art can have emotional, aesthetic and cultural value and leave a lasting mark on a space. At the same time, art can increase in value. However, when buying art privately, an increase in value should not be taken for granted. Anyone who views art solely as an investment needs significantly more market knowledge than someone buying a painting for their own home. The art market is less liquid than many traditional forms of investment; prices can fluctuate and a future sale is not guaranteed. For many art lovers, therefore, the real value lies in owning a work for years and living with it every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Studierenden Kunstmarkt is the leading platform for student art in the German-speaking world. It enables art enthusiasts and art lovers to buy artworks directly from art students, thereby providing them with financial support whilst they are studying.
Studierenden Kunstmarkt was founded in 2020 by Erich Reich and his brother. Erich is still the managing director of Studierenden Kunstmarkt and, together with his team, has succeeded in creating a platform that brings together art lovers, those interested in art and art students. To this day, Studierenden Kunstmarkt is entirely self-funded and has not received any external funding from investors.
At any given time, there are several hundred art students and several thousand works of art on the Student Art Market. A good place to start if you’re looking for an initial overview of the artists is the ‘Artists of the Month’ section.
Just like normal galleries, Studierenden Kunstmarkt receives a commission on each artwork sold. This funds the running of the platform, its maintenance and the salaries of Studierenden Kunstmarkt’s staff. In addition, we support the students, are on hand to advise on any queries, and run free advertising for them on Instagram, Facebook, Google and in our email newsletter, which has several thousand art lovers as subscribers.
There are many ways you can start investing in young artists on the student art market. One option is to sign up for our free email course, ‘Become an Art Expert in 7 Days’. In it, we’ll share a few basics with you, as well as some of our insider tips on which artists have particular potential. Find out more
Take a look at our most popular artists at the Student Art Market
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