FAB Market Insights

Building an art collection can be an extremely satisfying and rewarding experience. But it can also be a daunting one. Whether you’re looking to acquire art for decorative or investment purposes — for most new collectors it is usually a combination — it can be difficult to know where to start.

Art advisory firms such as Fine Art Brokers can help you navigate the process. ‘We work at all price levels and with new and seasoned collectors,’ says Ray Waterhouse, co-founder of Fine Art Brokers. ‘To the surprise of many of our clients, our preliminary consultations are complimentary, and we only charge a commission if a purchase is made.’

With the art market enjoying a post-pandemic resurgence, read on for our guide to starting an art collection.

Work out your style

First and foremost, identify an aesthetic that reflects your taste. To work out a style that suits your aesthetic and budget, you need to look and look and look. ‘Expose yourself to as much as possible,’ says Waterhouse. ‘You’ll soon learn to trust your instincts and, most importantly, find out which artists, mediums and subjects pique your interest.’

While attending art fairs, gallery openings, auction previews and museum exhibitions remains a great way of developing your eye and discovering new talent, so too is browsing the myriad of digital resources online. For inspiration, look to Instagram and Artnet, as well as the websites and social channels of the artists, galleries, museums, curators and critics that you admire. Waterhouse also recommends Artsy for its easy navigability. ‘Plus, it’s free to browse,’ he says, ‘and you can filter by price, subject and size.’

If something catches your eye, google the artist’s name to find out more. And don’t be afraid to start a conversation with a gallerist. ‘Engaging with industry insiders is a great way of finding out about the story of an artwork or artist,’ says Waterhouse. ‘Get comfortable asking about things like framing, provenance and the install process too. Buying art for the first time should be fun, experiential and educational.’

Waterhouse also recommends signing up to industry newsletters to keep abreast of the latest news, sales and trends in the market. (These are usually subscription based.) Notable examples include those curated by Artnet, Artsy, ARTnews, Art Market Monitor, The Canvas and Baer Faxt.

You could also consider employing an art advisor. A good advisor will have a wealth of knowledge and contacts and be able to guide you through the process. ‘We can advise on market trends, relative value and, of course, quality,’ adds Waterhouse. ‘While we rarely advise clients to buy art with investment as the primary objective, we do help them make wise decisions.’

Take your time

For Waterhouse, it’s important to identify what you want from your collection and to take the time to research the main factors at play when considering an important purchase. When collecting a new or emerging artist, for instance, look for potential growth, market recognition and a track record of success.

Find out whether the artist has enjoyed solo or group shows or taken part in an artist residency programme. Look to see if they’re featured in any private or public collections or are the focus of any national or international press coverage. Follow their sales at auction and online. ‘If they’re consistently outstripping their estimates, you may want to think about taking the plunge sooner rather than later,’ says Waterhouse.

Waterhouse suggests that new collectors focus on compatible styles and subjects rather than on buying a wide range of art. ‘Many new collectors later regret some of their early acquisitions and wish they had bought fewer but better-quality works,’ says Waterhouse. This of course takes confidence, which makes it another area that advisors can help with.

‘The market can change quickly and so can your taste,’ adds Waterhouse. ‘So don’t be overzealous at the outset. There are no guarantees your artwork will increase in value, so buy work that you love and will want to live with every day no matter what.’

Set a budget

With so much choice online and offline, establishing a budget will help narrow your search. Familiarize yourself with the historical prices of artists or mediums you like by using price indices like Artnet’s Price Database tool. Alternatively, see if a competitor gallery is exhibiting or selling similar artwork by the same artist. 

‘If your budget is relatively modest,’ says Waterhouse, ‘I’d recommend looking for a great work by an emerging or mid-career artist in your price range over a second-rate work by an established name. The best of any particular type tends to out-perform average works by more renowned artists.’

For Waterhouse, it’s also quality over quantity every time. ‘Buy fewer but better works,’ he says. ‘If your budget is $30,000 for three pieces, for instance, consider buying a more important piece for $15,000 and spending the remainder on two lesser painting or on prints rather than spreading the budget equally.’ The same theory applies if your budget is $300,000.

You also need to factor into your budget associated costs such as shipping, insurance, framing and installation. ‘Ask a trusted professional for the nuts and bolts of costs before making a significant purchase,’ says Waterhouse, adding that since Covid began shipping costs have increased.

Entry-level pieces

Print editions, photographs and works on paper tend to be the most accessible mediums for new collectors. ‘Great limited-edition prints and photographs by well-known artists can go for as little as $5,000,’ says Waterhouse, adding that while a larger edition run will make the print more affordable the resale value won’t appreciate as much.

Printmaking should not be considered a second- or third-class medium. Prints can enable an artist to experiment with new styles and concepts and reach a larger audience. As such, they are an integral part of an artist’s overall story. ‘There are many prints and photographs which make hundreds of thousands of dollars,’ says Waterhouse. ‘But only ever buy prints with a limited edition — and ask the seller for a certificate!’

Scale is another factor to consider. Broadly speaking, smaller artworks tend to be less expensive than larger works.

Taking the plunge

Before purchasing an artwork, it’s imperative to assess its condition and verify its legitimacy. ‘Request a condition report from the seller,’ advises Waterhouse, ‘and ask about the work’s provenance.’ Alternatively, you could enlist the help of an advisor specialising in your category. ‘We can provide recommendations, market reports and research as well as advising on authentications and licenses,’ he adds.

If you’d like to keep your identity confidential during the buying process, Fine Art Brokers can view works and negotiate discreetly on your behalf. ‘We also offer a comprehensive range of auction services, which includes private bidding,’ says Waterhouse.

When it comes to buying art online or directly from the artist, extra caution is required. ‘The continued growth in digital sales makes it more important than ever to know how to judge value, condition and authenticity remotely,’ says Waterhouse. For more information, read the recently published FAB guide to buying art online with confidence.

Protect your art

To best protect your art in transit and in situ, research the range of available post-sale services, from shipping and installation to framing, insurance and storage. Most galleries will cover the insurance of a work during delivery, while auction houses hand over liability to the purchaser as soon as the work is collected. Waterhouse suggests asking the seller of the artwork or a trusted advisor, gallerist or auction house specialist for tailored advice.

Thought should also be given to hanging your art in the proper pace. No artwork should be displayed in direct sunlight. Even frequent reflected light can damage works on paper. Look to museum glass which has UV protective features when exploring framing options.

It’s also imperative to keep hold of all paperwork pertaining to the sale. Most experts do not reissue certificates if they are lost, and many artworks are almost unsalable without a certificate of authenticity.

Collection management and some conclusions

If you’d like assistance managing your collection, look to experts in the field with experience in cataloguing, research, valuations for insurance, logistics and installation. Some art advisory firms will also offer conservation and curatorial advice, as well as advice on institutional lending and donation. ‘We advise our clients in the long term, suggesting new acquisitions and which pieces to sell and when,’ says Waterhouse.

It might seem from the advice given above that collecting fine art is onerous and full of pitfalls. ‘But collecting fine art can and should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience if you act with your head as well as your heart,’ says Waterhouse.

Many new collectors may prefer to embark on the journey alone but finding a reputable art advisor or broker can fast track your experience and add many layers of security. ‘It can even save you money,’ concludes Waterhouse, ‘for a good art consultant will educate you about the art market and manage the administration after a purchase is made.’