When to Invest in Original Art and When to Buy Prints

It is crucial to be certain of what and when you are buying the art. Paintings that are originals are created by the artist, whereas the prints of artwork are made by the printmaking process. Everything you need to know about art prints will be covered in this article, whether you’re interested in abstract wall art, original artwork for sale, custom wall art, large canvas wall art, or abstract art prints.

Purchasing art could seem intimidating at first. Anyone interested in collecting art should spend some time becoming familiar with the many terms that need to be learned. Understanding the world of art prints in particular is the most important thing when buying art.

Regretfully, though, some customers mistakenly purchase prints when they were expecting original artwork. It is not that prints are not good, but the preference of the buyer is what is above everything. So, it's critical to understand the differences between an original artwork and a print to prevent confusion.

What is Considered Original Artwork?

Original fine art is created by the artist. It is unique, and it's worth is determined by the market and the artist's overall body of work. This is especially important when considering art valuation and art investment.

What is a Print?

A print is an excellent copy of an original piece of art that has been transferred onto a fresh surface, such as canvas or paper. For prints, for instance, an original piece of art is scanned or photographed in extremely high definition, and the result is reproduced onto new media.

This enables us to provide clients with highly customizable options for artwork (such as size, for example) at a reduced cost.

These words generally inform you of the print's value. If you want your prints to hold or increase in value over time, this can be useful, especially for limited edition prints. They can be equally useful if all you want is a stunning piece of art at the best price and have no intention of reselling it in the future.

What Are the Differences Between Prints and Original Paintings?

It can get harder to distinguish these from the actual thing as new techniques for creating art prints have developed and visual arts technologies continue to advance.

To assist you in telling a print from an original artwork before you approach a museum curator, art collector, appraiser, or other art specialist, consider the following advice:

• The brushstrokes in an original painting are textured. Original gouache or watercolor paintings, for instance, are usually done on rough paper with a pronounced grain.
• A print typically features a dot matrix pattern, similar to the pattern seen in pictures from books or magazines, and is flat.
• The edges of a stretched canvas in an original painting are painted irregularly and unevenly.
• Sharp, even, and tidy edges are typical of prints; here is where buyers normally do not check.
• Examining an original artwork in bright light may reveal pencil marks from the artist's first drawing as well as adjustments made during the painting process.
• A print usually contains a copyright logo printed in small characters along with a number for identification.
• An original painting looks, feels, and smells just like the original due to its rich, brilliant hues.

Because a print is mass-produced and not a one-of-a-kind piece, it is usually less expensive than original artwork.

When to Buy Original Artwork?

Here is when you should buy original artwork:

• You particularly adore or respect the artist.
• Original works by the artist are becoming more and more valuable as investments.
• The artwork features unusual colors or effects, or it is extremely textured.
• The piece of art is striking and/or will be displayed prominently in your house.

When to Buy Prints?

Here is when you should buy prints:

• You want to be able to freely invest in a large collection of artwork.
• Before spending more money on an original, you should be able to live with the artist's creation.
• Because the print is a limited edition, its value and uniqueness are increased.
• You're in love with a certain piece of art, but the space where you want to place it requires a different size.
• Since the print is coming straight from the artist's workspace, you can be sure of its high quality and that you are helping the creator.

An original wall painting is a lovely possession, whenever you can afford one. However, you shouldn't give up on purchasing prints. There are still some incredibly beautiful pieces that are valuable.

You can rely on yourself to make the best choice as long as you understand what you are purchasing. With more art available to more people than ever before, we are living in the golden era of art purchasing. One large component of that is art prints. Furthermore, there are a ton of alternatives now that artificial intelligence (AI) art generators have been developed.

Ultimately, what matters most is what you like and how much you are willing to spend, regardless of whether the painting is an original abstract artwork or a print.

You feel a connection to the painting and that it adds harmony and beauty to your space because of what it conveys to you.

If you're looking for authentic, high-quality pieces, be sure to explore Julia Contacessi's collection of art, which offers both stunning original artwork and custom wall art that can elevate any space.