Woman sitting on a windowsill with a painting in a sunlit room

A Guide for Collectors

Buying Wall Art Guide

Buying art should feel exciting, personal, and rewarding. Whether you are purchasing your first artwork, adding to an established collection, or choosing a meaningful gift, this guide will help you understand the different types of art available and what to consider before making your decision.

Choosing the Right Artwork

There are no fixed rules for choosing art. The most important thing is to select a piece that you genuinely connect with and will enjoy living with.

Consider how the artwork makes you feel, where it may be displayed, and how its colours, scale, and subject matter relate to your space. You may be drawn to a work because of its visual impact, the story behind it, the artist’s technique, or simply because it feels right.

Dining room with a round table, chairs, and abstract art on the wall.

Original Paintings

An original painting is a unique artwork created by the artist’s hand. Only one original version exists, although the artist may later produce prints inspired by the same work.

Original paintings may be created using oil, acrylic, watercolour, gouache, ink, mixed media, or a combination of materials. Brush marks, textures, layers, and small variations are part of the character of an original artwork.

Because each painting is unique, original works are generally priced higher than prints. The price may reflect the size of the piece, the materials used, the time required to create it, its complexity, and the artist’s career and exhibition history.

Original artworks should be clearly described as unique and may be marked as one of one or 1/1.

Art Prints

An art print is a reproduction of an original artwork or a work created specifically for printing. Prints offer an accessible way to collect an artist’s work and are often available in a choice of sizes.

High-quality prints are commonly produced using archival pigment printing, sometimes referred to as giclée printing. This process uses specialist inks and fine art papers or canvas to achieve accurate colour, detail, and longevity.

The appearance of a print may vary slightly from the image displayed on a screen because monitors, phones, and tablets reproduce colour differently.

Open-Edition Prints

An open-edition print may be produced in an unlimited quantity. It is usually more affordable than a limited edition and may remain available in several sizes or formats.

Open editions are not normally individually numbered, although they may still be signed by the artist.

Limited-Edition Prints

A limited-edition print is produced in a fixed quantity. Once every print in the edition has been sold, no further copies should be made in that exact edition, size, and format.

Limited editions are usually numbered using a format such as:

12/50

The first number identifies the individual print, while the second shows the total number of prints in the edition.

A lower edition number does not usually mean that the print is of higher quality. Prints within a professionally produced edition should be consistent.

Limited-edition prints may be:

Signed and numbered by the artist
Supplied with a certificate of authenticity
Produced in one size or several separate editions
Released on paper, canvas, or another specialist surface

Each size or material may form its own edition. For example, an artwork could have an edition of 50 prints on paper and a separate edition of 20 prints on canvas. These details should be stated in the product description.

large abstract original painting on a wall with a woman sitting on a modern dining table

AUTHENTICITY & TRUST

Signed and Unsigned Artworks

A work may be signed on the front, reverse, margin, or accompanying certificate. The location of the signature often depends on the artist’s preference and the type of artwork.

Some prints are hand-signed by the artist, while others may include a signature reproduced as part of the printed image. A printed signature is not the same as a hand-signed print.

The product description should clearly state whether the artwork is:

Hand-signed
Initialled
Signed on the reverse
Signed on a label
Unsigned
Accompanied by a signed certificate

Omar Oubaid certificate of authenticity on a paint-splattered surface with spray paint can and other art supplies.

Certificates of Authenticity

A certificate of authenticity provides a record of the artwork and confirms its origin. It may include:

The artist’s name
The title of the artwork
The year of creation
The artwork’s dimensions
The materials used
The edition number, where applicable
The artist’s signature
Care or framing information

Keep the certificate in a safe place. Avoid attaching it permanently to the artwork unless specifically instructed, as it may be needed for insurance, valuation, resale, or provenance records.

Understanding Artwork Dimensions

Artwork measurements are normally given as height × width, followed by depth where relevant.

For framed works, both the artwork size and the overall framed size may be listed. Check the full framed dimensions when measuring your wall.

Product photographs may not always show the artwork to exact scale. Room mock-ups are intended as a visual guide, so always rely on the stated dimensions.

Modern interior with a console table, abstract painting, and decorative items.

Modern living room with wooden console table, abstract painting, and chandelier.

Canvas

Canvas is a durable woven surface traditionally made from linen or cotton. It is widely used for oil and acrylic paintings and may also be used for high-quality canvas prints.

Canvas artworks may be stretched over a wooden support known as stretcher bars. A stretched canvas may be:

Ready to hang without an external frame
Displayed in a tray or floating frame
Supplied rolled and requiring professional stretching

Always check whether the canvas is delivered stretched or rolled before ordering.

A gallery-wrapped canvas has the material wrapped around the sides of the stretcher bars. The edges may be painted, left in a natural finish, or show a continuation of the image.

Fine Art Paper

Fine art paper is designed for professional artwork and printing. It is available in different weights, textures, colours, and finishes.

Common finishes include:

Smooth
Lightly textured
Heavily textured
Matte
Satin
Gloss

Cotton rag paper is a premium, archival-quality paper made partly or entirely from cotton fibres. It is valued for its texture, durability, and ability to reproduce colour and detail.

Paper artworks normally require framing behind glazing to protect them from dust, handling, moisture, and environmental damage.

Watercolour Paper

Watercolour paper is usually thicker and more textured than standard drawing or printing paper. Its surface is designed to absorb water-based paint without excessive warping.

Watercolour artworks should generally be framed behind protective glazing and should not touch the glass directly.

Wood Panels and Boards

Artists may paint on wood panels, birch panels, aluminium composite panels, or prepared art boards. These rigid surfaces can provide a smooth finish and may support detailed work or heavier layers of paint.

Some panel artworks can be hung as they are, while others may benefit from a frame. Hanging and framing information should be included with the individual artwork.

Mixed-Media Surfaces

Mixed-media artworks may combine paint, ink, pencil, collage, textiles, pastels, metallic leaf, resin, or other materials. These pieces can have raised, delicate, reflective, or textured areas.

Because mixed-media works vary widely, follow the care and display instructions supplied with the artwork.

The best place for buying contemporary wall art. Opt for the largest size for maximum impact.

Choosing a Frame

A frame should protect the artwork while complementing it rather than competing with it.

Simple black, white, oak, walnut, or natural wood frames work well with many interiors. Ornate or coloured frames can create a stronger decorative statement.

When choosing a frame, consider:

The colours and style of the artwork
The existing furniture and finishes in the room
The width and scale of the frame
Whether the artwork needs a mount
The level of protection required
Whether the frame will be displayed alone or as part of a gallery wall

For valuable work, use acid-free and conservation-quality framing materials wherever possible.

Mounts and Matting

A mount, also called a mat, is the border placed between a paper artwork and its frame. It creates visual space around the image and helps prevent the artwork from touching the glazing.

Mounts are available in different colours, widths, and depths. Neutral white or off-white mounts are versatile, but the best choice depends on the artwork and frame.

Only acid-free, archival-quality mountboard should come into direct contact with valuable artwork.

Glazing Options

Standard Glass

Standard glass is affordable and provides basic protection, but it can create reflections and does not usually offer significant protection from ultraviolet light.

Anti-Reflective Glass

Anti-reflective glass reduces glare and improves visibility, making it useful in bright rooms or opposite windows.

UV-Protective Glass

UV-protective glazing helps reduce damage caused by ultraviolet light. It is recommended for original works, photographs, limited editions, and artworks displayed in rooms with strong natural light.

Acrylic Glazing

Acrylic is lighter and more resistant to breaking than glass. It is often preferred for large artworks, children’s rooms, public spaces, or artworks being shipped over long distances.

Floating and Tray Frames

A floating or tray frame is commonly used for stretched canvas and panel artworks. A small gap is left between the artwork and the frame, creating the impression that the piece is floating.

This style protects the edges while allowing the full surface of the artwork to remain visible. It works particularly well with contemporary paintings and canvas prints.

Displaying Your Artwork

Before hanging an artwork, check its weight, dimensions, hanging system, and the type of wall on which it will be displayed.

Use suitable hooks, screws, plugs, or specialist fixings. Large or heavy artworks may require two fixing points or professional installation.

As a general guide, artworks are often displayed with their centre approximately at eye level. However, the ideal height will depend on the room, furniture, ceiling height, and surrounding artworks.

When hanging above furniture, leave enough space for the artwork to feel connected to the furniture without appearing crowded.