a nifty little guide to buying art

So, you want to buy some art, but don’t know where to begin? We’re here to help, old pals. Read on for a few handy tips for first-time art buyers, as well as a cheeky little giveaway for our Sydney mates.

Know your wants and needs
Ask yourself some important questions before whipping out that credit card. What sizes, colours and textures suit your space and personal style? What’s your budget? How will your home evolve over time? What’s your favourite medium? Being able to answer these questions will help ensure that you’re investing your hard-earned moolah in a piece that will fill you with the warm and fuzzies for years to come. Get some inspo by creating a mood board, keeping an eye on trends and following your favourite creatives online.

Try before you buy
“But how am I supposed to know whether this multi-coloured print will even look good filling the bare space on my bright green wall?!” I hear you scream. Well, frankie friends, if you’ve got your eye on a piece (or five) but you’re not sure whether it will go with the rest of your abode, then there are a few things you can do:

• Snap a photo of the spot you want to zhuzh up and add pictures of your potential purchases over the top of it. You can do this digitally, using Photoshop or online programs like Canva, or physically, with a trusty printer, scissors and glue.
• Slap a printed version of the art onto your wall, if you so desire.
• Measure out the area you wish to fill and compare it with the dimensions of the piece you’re intending to buy (a ruler or tape measure are especially handy if you’re looking to create a gallery wall, or have an extra-small abode).

Support local and emerging artists
Why not use your purchasing power to support some local or up-and-coming arty folk? Knowing that you're putting your cash towards smaller artists will make the buying experience all the more special. Plus, it means that the lovely painting, print or snap on your wall is more unique.

Attend an event
Going to an exhibition, market or art fair can expose you to loads of unexpected pieces that you could fall in love with instantly, but might have otherwise missed. They also provide the opportunity to meet a bunch of cool artists who you could potentially commission to create original pieces that suit your abode perfectly.

Events like the Other Art Fair, for instance, are perfect for folks who have never purchased art before because they ease you into the art collector world by offering loads of other fun things to do (like life-drawing, live music and hand-poked tattoos) and creating a space where people can speak to artists about their pieces directly.

To get you started on your arty journey, the kind folks at Saatchi Art are giving away 10 pairs of tickets to the opening night of the Other Art Fair in Sydney, on December 2. Head to our win page to enter the draw, or peep the program at the event website.

The Other Art Fair runs from December 2 to 5 at the Cutaway, Barangaroo Reserve.