A Simple Guide to Buying Original Art for the First Time

Buying your first piece of original art should be exciting.

And yet, for many people, it can feel surprisingly intimidating.

You might wonder whether you know enough about art to choose something “good”. Whether you're supposed to recognise particular artists or styles. Whether the artwork will work in your home. Whether you're spending the right amount. Or whether you'll still love it years from now.

Here's the thing I really want you to know:

You don't need to be an art expert to buy original art.

And you certainly don't need to follow what everybody else is buying.

You don't need a perfectly curated home, an enormous wall or an encyclopaedic knowledge of art history either.

What you do need is a connection with the artwork.

Because when you're choosing something that will become part of your home and everyday life, your own response to it matters far more than whether somebody else thinks you've made the “right” choice.

So, if you've been thinking about buying your first original artwork but aren't quite sure where to begin, this guide will walk you through some of the practical things worth considering — from budget and sizing to framing, placement and care.

But throughout all of them, there's one piece of advice I'd like you to keep coming back to:

Trust your own taste.

First things first: what actually is original art?

An original artwork is the artwork created by the artist's own hand, rather than a reproduction of it.

There is only one.

That might be a painting on canvas, a work on paper, a drawing, mixed-media artwork or something created using several different materials and techniques.

When you look closely at an original, you can often see evidence of its making: layers, texture, brushstrokes, pencil marks, little changes of direction and decisions the artist made as the piece developed.

That's part of its appeal.

You're not simply buying an image.

You're buying the physical piece the artist worked on — something that has passed directly through their hands and creative process.

And when that artwork eventually hangs in your home, its story begins to overlap with yours.

You don't need to understand art to know what you love

This is probably the biggest hurdle I'd like to remove for anyone buying original art for the first time.

You are allowed to love an artwork without being able to explain why.

You don't need to identify the techniques used or understand what the artist intended. You don't need to know whether a particular colour or style is currently fashionable.

And you definitely don't have to choose the kind of artwork you've seen appearing repeatedly in other people's homes.

Trends have their place. They can introduce us to new ideas and help us discover things we genuinely enjoy.

But your home isn't a trend report.

If an artwork stops you scrolling...

If you keep returning to it...

If the colours give you a feeling...

If it reminds you of somewhere, someone or something you can't quite put into words...

Pay attention to that.

I explored this idea in more depth in How to Choose Artwork That Makes Your Home Feel More Like You, because I think we can make choosing art unnecessarily complicated when our instinct is often telling us quite a lot already.

Your response doesn't need anyone else's approval.

How much should you spend on your first piece of original art?

There isn't a correct amount.

Original artwork exists at a huge range of price points, from hundreds of pounds to many thousands — and far beyond that at the upper end of the art market.

Your budget matters, of course. Art should never put you into an uncomfortable financial position.

But I'd be wary of making “What is the cheapest original I can find?” the starting point too.

Price and personal value aren't necessarily the same thing.

One artwork at £250 might leave you completely unmoved, while another at £500 might be the piece you can't stop thinking about. You may look at it every day for years and still feel glad that it's yours.

That's where buying art becomes very personal.

Canvas or paper?

If you are working with a smaller budget, original works on paper can be worth exploring.

They often sit at a lower price point than larger canvas paintings, although this certainly isn't a rule. Price can be influenced by the artist, size, materials, complexity, career stage, provenance and many other factors.

Paper originals also have a character of their own. They can feel intimate and immediate, and once mounted and framed they can have just as much presence as a canvas.

For example, No.5 Orange — Original Abstract Painting is one of my original works on paper. It's a useful example of how an original doesn't have to be a huge canvas to bring expressive colour and personality into a room.

Rather than deciding that your first original “should” cost a particular amount, establish a comfortable budget and then see what genuinely speaks to you within it.

Choosing the right size artwork

This is where a little practical thinking really does help.

An artwork can look surprisingly different on a screen compared with the way it feels on your wall.

Before buying, check the dimensions carefully.

Then measure the space where you think it might hang.

One very simple trick is to mark the artwork's dimensions on the wall using low-tack painter's tape or pieces of paper. Stand back and look at it from different points in the room.

Does it feel lost?

Does it dominate more than you'd like?

Or does the scale feel just right?

Also remember to check whether the dimensions given refer to the artwork itself or its final framed size.

Don't automatically choose something too small

One of the easiest mistakes to make when you're uncertain is to play safe and choose a piece that's too small for the space.

If an artwork is going above a sofa, bed, sideboard or other substantial piece of furniture, think about its relationship with what's underneath it. A tiny artwork floating alone above a large sofa can sometimes feel disconnected.

That doesn't mean bigger is always better.

A smaller original can look wonderful on a narrow wall, above a bedside table, as part of a gallery arrangement or in one of those little spaces that needs something special.

Think about proportion, rather than simply thinking “large” or “small”.

Try the artwork in your room before deciding

Buying art online has one obvious challenge: you can't physically hold the piece up against your wall before ordering it.

But there are ways around that.

Room mock-ups can help you understand scale and see how the colours might interact with your existing space.

If you're considering one of my artworks and aren't sure how it will look, you can send me a photograph of your wall and I can create a mock-up for you.

It's a simple step, but it can remove a lot of uncertainty.

Just remember that a mock-up is there to help you visualise the artwork — not to decide whether you're allowed to love it.

Don't get too caught up in matching colours

You may naturally want your new artwork to work with the rest of your room.

That's sensible.

But “work with” doesn't have to mean “perfectly match”.

Your artwork doesn't need to contain exactly the same blue as your cushions or precisely the same beige as your rug.

In fact, art can be the thing that introduces a completely new colour, mood or energy into the room.

A colourful original such as Interstellar — Original Abstract Painting can become the starting point rather than the finishing touch. You might choose one or two colours from the artwork later and echo them elsewhere through a cushion, vase, books or other small details.

Or you might not.

Sometimes the contrast is what makes a room interesting.

If colour plays a big part in the way you choose art, my Blue: The Colour of Calm, Clarity and Emotional Space article explores how one colour can carry several very different moods — another reminder that choosing colour is about feeling as much as decorating.

What about framing?

Framing can make a significant difference to how an artwork feels in your home, but again, you don't need to become a framing expert before buying art.

Start by checking the product description.

Some canvas originals are sold framed, some unframed, and some canvases are designed to be hung without an additional decorative frame.

My canvas originals are supplied ready to hang using appropriate hanging fittings such as D-rings with cord or wire, depending on the piece. Some are also presented in tray frames, where a small gap around the canvas creates a floating effect.

Original works on paper are different.

My paper originals are supplied unframed, although they can come with a mount. You'll then have the freedom to choose a frame that works with both the artwork and your home.

For works on paper generally, good-quality framing isn't only about appearance. Appropriate mounting, glazing and framing materials also help protect paper from handling, dust and environmental damage.

If you're unsure, speak to a reputable professional framer and tell them that you're framing an original artwork. They can guide you through suitable archival or conservation-quality materials, glazing and mounting options.

And aesthetically?

You don't necessarily have to match every frame in your house.

A crisp white frame can feel fresh and contemporary. Natural wood can introduce warmth. Black can create definition and contrast.

Let the frame support the artwork rather than compete with it.

Where should you hang original art?

There isn't one perfect place.

A living room may be the obvious choice because you spend a lot of time there, but original art can make an enormous difference to less obvious spaces too.

A hallway can become somewhere you enjoy walking through rather than simply a route between rooms.

An original in a bedroom can become one of the first things you see in the morning.

Artwork in a home office can introduce colour and personality into a functional space.

A small original can transform an awkward corner or wall that has never felt quite finished.

Rather than asking:

“Where are you supposed to put art?”

Try asking:

“Where would I most enjoy seeing this?”

Think about your daily routines.

Where do you sit with your morning coffee?

Which wall do you look towards from the sofa?

Where does your eye naturally land when you walk through the front door?

Those everyday sightlines can be wonderful places for something you genuinely love.

You can browse my Colourful Abstract Originals to see how different sizes, formats and colour palettes might suit different spaces.

How to care for original artwork

Original art doesn't need to make your home feel like a museum, but a few sensible habits will help protect it.

Handle it carefully

Clean, dry hands are important when you're handling original artwork. Oils, dirt and sticky fingers aren't a great combination with an original surface.

When moving a canvas, hold it securely by the sides of the frame or stretcher rather than touching the painted surface.

Works on paper deserve particularly careful handling because both the paper and the media on it can be vulnerable.

Avoid constant direct sunlight

Light is one of the things worth thinking about when deciding where your artwork will live.

My canvas originals are varnished, providing a protective layer, including UV protection, but good practice is still to avoid hanging original artwork where it will receive strong, direct sunlight for prolonged periods.

This is especially important with works on paper, where light exposure can contribute to fading and deterioration over time.

You don't need to hide your art in a dark room — just be thoughtful about where the strongest sunlight falls throughout the day.

Be gentle when cleaning

Dust will inevitably happen.

For a stable canvas painting with no loose or flaking paint, prevention and very gentle dust removal are best. Avoid household sprays, water and cleaning products on the painted surface.

A clean, very soft artist's brush can be used gently to remove loose surface dust, taking particular care around textured or raised areas.

If a painting ever becomes heavily soiled, damaged or starts flaking, don't experiment with cleaning methods yourself. Ask the artist or a professional conservator for advice.

For a framed work on paper, you're normally cleaning the outside of the glazing, not the artwork itself. A soft cloth can remove dust, followed where appropriate by a slightly damp cloth on suitable glass or acrylic glazing. Avoid allowing moisture or cleaning products to reach the artwork, mount or frame.

A little preventative care goes a long way.

What should you ask an artist before buying?

Buying directly from an artist has a lovely advantage:

You can ask them questions.

If you're unsure about something, ask.

You might want to know:

• Whether the artwork is ready to hang
• Whether it is framed or unframed
• What materials were used
• Whether a certificate of authenticity is included
• How the artwork will be packaged and delivered
• Whether the artist can help you visualise it in your room
• What their returns policy is

A good product page should answer many of these questions already, but you don't need to feel awkward about contacting the artist if there's something else you'd like to know.

Buying original art is a meaningful purchase. You're allowed to take your time and feel confident about it.

What if you love a piece but you're still hesitating?

This is where I'd separate practical hesitation from emotional hesitation.

Practical hesitation is useful.

Can I comfortably afford it?

Will it physically fit the wall?

Can it be delivered to me?

Do I understand how it needs to be framed?

Those are sensible questions. Find the answers.

But emotional hesitation can sound more like this:

Do I know enough about art to buy this?

What if other people don't like it?

Is this colour fashionable?

Should I choose something safer?

What if this isn't the kind of art I'm supposed to buy?

Those questions deserve a different response.

Come back to yourself.

The best first original is the one that means something to you

Your first original artwork doesn't need to impress anybody.

It doesn't have to demonstrate that you understand art.

It doesn't need to coordinate perfectly with your room.

And it certainly doesn't need to follow the interiors trend everybody seems to be embracing this year.

It needs to connect with you.

Art is wonderfully subjective.

Two people can stand in front of exactly the same painting and experience it completely differently. One sees energy. Another sees calm. Someone remembers a place they visited years ago. Someone else can't explain their response at all — they simply know that looking at it makes them feel good.

That's part of the magic.

When you buy original art, you're not only choosing something to put on a wall.

You're choosing something you'll live alongside.

You'll pass it on ordinary mornings.

You'll see it in different light.

You may notice details six months from now that you didn't see on the day you bought it.

It becomes part of your home, your memories and the atmosphere you've created around yourself.

So measure the wall.

Set a budget that feels right.

Think about framing and placement.

Look after the piece once it's yours.

But after you've considered all the practical things, come back to the question that matters most:

How does this artwork make me feel?

And trust your answer.