"It's kind of a high hurdle to buy a painting..."
"How should I buy it?"
There are many people who think that it is difficult to just go to see paintings on display at a gallery or museum, but then purchase the painting yourself and display it in your room.
However, recently, the demand for art has increased in Japan as well, and it has become increasingly possible to easily view and purchase a variety of works from amateurs to internationally active professional artists through social networking sites and exhibitions.
Now that I think about it, it seems like more and more artists' works are being used in advertisements and products these days...!
This time, we will explain the points and things to keep in mind when purchasing paintings so that you can have art around you more easily.
table of contents
・How to purchase paintings
・Advantages and disadvantages of purchasing paintings from galleries or online shopping
・Points to consider when purchasing paintings
·summary
・How to purchase paintings
①Purchase at a gallery/art gallery
A traditional method is to purchase works on display at a gallery or art gallery.
There is always at least one staff member in the gallery at every store, so just let them know that you would like to purchase a piece and they will help you right away!
②Purchase from official online shopping sites such as Gallery
Recently, with the spread of the Internet, there are more and more places where you can purchase works from the official websites of galleries and art galleries.
Some galleries sell through mail-order sites such as BASE and shopify, while others negotiate by contacting you via email.
If you find yourself thinking, ``There's a piece of art that interests me, but you can't quite make it to the gallery in person,'' why not try purchasing it through a website or mail order?
③ Negotiate directly with the artist to purchase
Nowadays, there are more opportunities for artists to present their works through social media, and more and more artists are running their own mail-order sites or accepting orders for their works through social media.
If you already see an artist you're interested in on SNS, and it seems like you can talk to them via email or DM, it might be a good idea to contact them to see if it's possible to purchase their work.
*Some artists do not sell their works.
If you are refused, don't try to force the negotiation and give up.
④Purchase from artist handling sites
Although this is different from a gallery or an art gallery, some services have emerged in which site staff sell works and communicate with customers on behalf of the artists registered on the site.
Even those who are not good at negotiating with artists and staff, or those who are not good at visiting galleries in person, can easily view and purchase works with minimal interaction!
FROM ARTIST has approximately 300 registered artists and sells their works. Please check it out!
Official website: https://from-artist.com/
・Advantages and disadvantages of purchasing paintings from galleries or online shopping
As mentioned above, with the spread of the Internet and SNS, it has become easier to purchase art. However, while there are advantages to having more options, there are also some disadvantages.
◎Advantages (for art galleries)
! You can consider purchasing by looking at the actual product.
Seeing a work of art in an image is different from seeing it in person.
There are many things that you can't understand until you see the base and texture of the canvas in person.
Also, I think there is a huge difference in impact between the image and the raw original!
If you can actually visit the site, it is a good idea to see the original painting with your own eyes before purchasing.
! You can negotiate directly with gallery staff and artists in the gallery.
Some of you may say, ``I want this piece, but I can't buy it right now...''
Since most galleries have staff members or the artists themselves in the gallery, they may be able to consult with you about payment methods and how to receive your payment (*Of course, the way they handle this will vary depending on the gallery and artist Therefore, this is not the limit)
◎Advantages (for mail order)
! You can easily purchase works
In the past, many people felt that there were high hurdles to purchasing works of art, but as artists have more opportunities to present their works, art has become more accessible and easily obtainable than before. I did.
When purchasing online, you can now pay not only by cash but also by credit card or electronic payment, which is also convenient.
! You can learn about various artists through the internet.
In the past, you could only find information about artists in a limited number of places, such as galleries and museums, but now you can learn about a variety of artists through the internet.
Although it may be difficult to go to see the works on site, the ability to view works online has increased the opportunities for both artists and buyers to casually come into contact with art.
◎Disadvantages
△The image may differ from the actual product
When you purchase a work from a mail order site or online, you often find that when you receive it, it's different from what you imagined!
During the shooting stage, the color tone turned out to be slightly different from the original, or when I thought it was going to be a small piece, it turned out to be larger than I expected...
There will inevitably be some differences in the image between the actual item and the photo, so please check the size and description of the item carefully before purchasing. (I think the cheapest option is to see the actual product before considering purchasing it)
△ Troubles with artists
When you purchase a work by directly communicating with the artist, problems may arise due to disagreements or unexpected accidents.
When you purchase a work from a gallery or art gallery, the staff at the store will often take care of the payment and shipping, but for artists who do individual commissions and mail order, they are the ones who handle everything by themselves. Mostly.
Various problems can occur, such as messages not being exchanged smoothly due to disagreements, shipping taking a long time, or the buyer not contacting you for payment and leaving the item as it is. .
Let's interact with each other with consideration for each other so that we can sell and purchase works comfortably.
・How to choose and points when purchasing paintings
◎When purchasing online, carefully check the details of the work (price, size, storage method if possible, etc.)
◎Make an image of what it would look like when it was actually displayed in your room.
◎When purchasing at a gallery or other local location, hear directly about the work from the artist or gallery staff.
Personally, I think it is important to ask about the details, especially the size of the work, before making a purchase.
The atmosphere when displayed in a room is important, but in order to enjoy the work for a long time, it is also important to place it in a place where it will not get exposed to the sun or to avoid strong odors from cooking or smoking.
Also, if you know the author of the work and how it was made, you will be able to talk to your friends and acquaintances who have seen the work, and you will be able to spread the word about the artist. !
◎Those who want to purchase works
FROM ARTIST uploads paintings and artworks by approximately 300 registered artists every day!
New works are uploaded every day, so please check it out♪
In Japan, there are still few opportunities for artists to work on a large scale, so even if there are people who can spread the word even a little, it may be a great support to the creator.
In order to boost Japan's art culture in the future, let's start by looking for your favorite art!
Author: Fumitori Tsumugi
FROM ARTIST management staff. We write feature articles and columns, and provide operational support from an artist's perspective.
While I usually teach at a vocational school, I am also active as an artist, holding solo exhibitions and public exhibitions.
Supervisor: Shoma Toida
CEO of BUSCA LLC. FROM ARTIST business manager. Started his career as a marketer, gained experience at a business company and advertising agency, and then became independent. Completed marketing-related programs at multiple graduate schools and business schools, including the University of California, Berkeley and London Business School. He also studied the MBA Core Curriculum at Macquarie University and the importance of art in education at the University of British Columbia.