The time has never been better to shop for art online! Whether navigating a “shelter at home” year or simply discovering an artist on the other side of the county, you have many reasons to look online as you adorn your walls.

But buying art online can be a little… scary. What if the colors do not look the same? What if the piece does not fit the space as imagined? Will you end up stuck with a piece that is not right? 

Shopping for art online does not have to be a daunting process. Do a little homework before you press the “buy” button, and you’ll not only have confidence in your purchase, you will also have a lot of fun selecting art for your walls! 

1.      FOLLOW ALONG. Social media gives us access to so many artists and their process. If you love a piece of art in a magazine, in an online art collective, or in a friend’s house, find that artist on Instagram! By watching their creation process online, you will begin to notice details and themes in their work. It is becoming more and more common for artists to show us their process through photo and video. This documentation showcases the depth of color and texture that are present in their art, and you can confidently decide whether or not you want this work on your wall.

2.      ASK QUESTIONS. Don’t be afraid to ask for more information! Artists care deeply about the end result: a collector absolutely loving a piece of their work. Artists will share additional images and a close up look at each piece you are interested in. They likely will also help assess the size and scale of a piece. This communication will result in additional candid (non-staged) photos, giving a more realistic view of the work.

3.      MEASURE and TAPE. This is where it is important to put in the work with a measuring tape and a little bit of painters tape. Measure out the exact size of the piece of art and tape the dimensions onto the wall where you plan to hang the piece. (You can even use paper or cardboard cut to the same size to more accurately see the scale.) Actually seeing the shape and size of the piece of art hanging on your wall ensures that it will fit exactly as you want.

4.      PRINT or PROJECT. Now that you know the size is a great fit, you can print the image on paper and hold it up in the taped space. This process is often worth the small printing fee with a local printer when you are investing a great deal into your art. It is important to note that not all colors will print in perfectly accurate shades. Never base a purchasing decision on the colors printed in this image. This easy printing trick simply allows you to see a representation of the art on the wall as you assess other colors in the room, other pieces of art hanging nearby, or any obstructions within the line of sight.  Address each of these areas to ensure that you’ve found the right piece of art, and you will fall in love with it all over again when the art arrives on your doorstep.

5.      TRUST YOUR GUT. ALWAYS. Especially when buying art. If you see art online and love it… do your due diligence… then go for it! If you buy what you love, you will always find a place for it in your home.