Things to Remember Before Buying

Buying an oil painting is a personal experience; you must remember your own purpose for setting out to buy a work of art. While you may not necessarily be aesthetically equipped to make what people perceive as an "intelligent" decision, keep in mind that in the end it is your painting you are buying, not theirs. It is you who must be comfortable with the chosen piece. Be wise enough, nonetheless, to consult other people, but to do not blindly agree with their opinions, or shut out yours completely from the decision-making process.

How much does originality and authenticity mean to you? For contemporary artists, it is possible for you to ascertain first whether the oil painting you're buying is indeed one-of-a-kind and original. You can request for the artist's signature or a certificate of authenticity and detailed information about the artwork.

Of course, this may not be applicable if you plan to buy oil painting reproductions. In this case, a sensitive eye regarding a reproduction's faithfulness to the stroke and finish of the original work is of primary concern. Other things to note: what dimensions will your painting be — can you control this factor? Who are the artists behind the oil painting reproductions — how skilled are they?

Also be sensitive about the ordering process you'll be encountering — is it convenient and reliable enough for you? How about confirming your order? Shipping and taxes? Money-back guarantees? Ask the seller and the artist about these things, if possible. Do you homework.

Shopping for oil paintings is just like shopping for a good outfit; uninformed and rash decisions are not the way to go, and may only disappoint you in the end.

Your Options

Nowadays, buying oil paintings is as convenient as checking email — you can order online. Like buying paintings "offline," surfing the web to find that perfect oil painting for you has its advantages and disadvantages, so weigh them carefully. The ordering process is quick and simple, but you may be prone to online scams. Thousands of paintings are available (especially with reproductions), as well as personal sites of the artists themselves from which you can buy original directly from there, but viewing paintings from a computer monitor is still a completely different experience from viewing them in a gallery or exhibit.

When you order an oil painting, there are several ways with which they can send it to you. One is the traditional framed painting. Unframed paintings may also be shipped unstretched; they are usually rolled into a container and then shipped. Stretched paintings have the canvas literally stretched and pulled over a set of stretched bars and then stapled to them. These three types can affect the shipping costs of your painting.