6 Reasons to Buy Original Art vs. Prints
Early Risers, oil, 40x40”, © Linda Hugues
This blog post was originally published on 1/15/20 on my old blog platform. I have updated it and reissued it because it’s one of my favorites.
Was it love at first sight?
Have you ever fallen in love with a piece of artwork at a gallery or art show and then had sticker shock when you looked at the price tag? It can be disconcerting to compare the cost of original art to the cost of prints. Here’s why original paintings are absolutely worth the higher cost. And when you should buy prints.
Why original art is worth the price
1. Original artwork is one of a kind
This is an object made by the hand of the artist and it is unique. No one else will have this piece. You will not see it in stores, in galleries, or at your friends' homes.
2. It has a connection and story
When you purchase original art you become part of the artistic process, continuing the journey that began with the artist’s first glimmer of an idea. You have the opportunity, through talking with the artist or gallerist, to better understand the artist's techniques and inspiration.
Many artists love to share their creative journey with their clients through newsletters, talks, shows, etc., and will stay in touch with those who purchase original work. I know I do! Plus, your experience about how you discovered the artist and what you learned about their work becomes a story that you naturally share with friends as they view your original painting. To join my artistic journey subscribe to my monthly newsletter.
Four prints of Monet’s Woman with a Parasol, Facing Left that I found online. Notice how much color variation there is in the blues, greens, and skin color.
3. The work shows the colors the artist chose
In my experience, a print of a painting never matches the colors of the original. Even with expert printers, I have found there is always a color compromise. Some colors are close, but others miss the mark considerably, despite multiple corrections. Eventually I gave up offering prints of my work.
Above is a screen shot of four different online prints of the Monet’s Woman with a Parasol, Facing Left. You’ll notice that the values and the colors of blues, greens, and skin tones vary considerably. Which print is closest to the artist’s intent? Who knows?
4. You see nuances in brushwork and texture
Original art allows you to see details in the brushwork and subtleties in texture that are just not visible on a print. These are the nuances that the artist consciously manipulated in order to create the feel of the painting. The original gives you the full visual experience and is the same object that the artist labored over for many hours and finally signed with satisfaction.
5. The painting shows the “miles on the brush”
One of the reasons that an original oil painting is much richer than a print is because it expresses the culmination of the artist's creative voyage and discoveries to that point. All the trial and error over years of honing their craft result in a sophisticated mix of materials, technique, and vision that is much more evident in the original than in the print.
6. Your purchase supports the arts
I think one of the most important reasons to buy original art is that you are supporting the arts in your community and in the world. The richness of our artistic expression as a culture depends on artists being able to support themselves as they create original artwork. Artists need you to see, interact with, and yes, buy their work so that they can continue to produce fabulous art.
Notice that I haven't said anything about art appreciating in value. While your original painting should be worth more over the years as the artist's prices increase, I don't suggest you buy art with an eye to reselling it. There is no guarantee that your investment will increase in value. My suggestion is that you buy what you love and plan to enjoy it for years to come.
When to buy prints
On the other hand, there are a few times when it does make sense to buy a print:
If you are decorating on a budget with lots of wall space; buy one small wonderful original and other larger prints to begin your art collection. For more about using art to beautify your home read my blog post, 5 Tips for Decorating With Art.
If a famous piece of art inspires you; by all means buy the print.
For temporary spaces like cubicles and dorm rooms; buy prints of work you love to show off your good taste.
For children's rooms, buy prints of established artists to inspire your little creators. When I was young I chose two prints to decorate my bedroom: The Flower Carrier by Diego Rivera and Albert’s Son by Andrew Wyeth. It was only years later as an adult that I realized that those paintings were by world-famous artists. Looking at those prints as I grew up made me appreciate fine art and sparked my interest in painting people.
Quality original art is inspiring and fulfilling. Buy what you can afford and let art enrich your life!
Did you enjoy this post? Check out my original art at www.LindaHugues.com and subscribe to my monthly newsletter.