Tips for Buying Paintings
Buying a painting is a personal decision. Unlike furniture or decoration, a painting chooses you just as much as you choose it. Yet there are practical tips that can help you make the right choice — whether you’re buying your first artwork or are an experienced collector.
1. Buy what truly moves you
The first and most important tip: buy a work that speaks to you emotionally. Not what others say it’s worth, not what’s currently fashionable — but what you want to see every day. A painting you’re tired of after a month is a poor purchase, no matter how famous the artist.
2. Get to know the artist
A painting is worth more when you know the story behind it. Who is the artist? What drives them? How does this work fit into their oeuvre? Take time to read the background or visit an exhibition. With independent artists, personal contact is often very possible.
3. Focus on quality, not size
A small high-quality painting is always better than a large work you’re drawn to for the wrong reasons. Look at the execution: is the paint well applied? Is the canvas properly stretched? Ask about the materials used — good artists work with archival materials that last for generations.
4. Consider the space
Where will the painting hang? A study requires something different from a living room or bedroom. Pay attention to dimensions, colours and the atmosphere the work radiates. A bold, dynamic canvas by Norbert de Jong makes a statement — plan deliberately where and how it hangs.
5. Buy directly from the artist
Galleries charge margins of 30 to 50 per cent. By buying directly from the artist, you support them directly and pay a fair price. You also often receive more context and personal attention.
6. Keep the documentation
A certificate of authenticity, a photo of the artist with the work, a description of the technique — keep all of this. It adds value if you ever resell, and adds depth to your own experience of the work.
Paintings by Norbert de Jong
Norbert de Jong creates unique Outsider Art paintings in mixed media. Every work is handmade and one of a kind. Browse the current collection in the webshop.