Buying Art
Advice for the Collector
Anyone can begin collecting botanical art...
- Look at lots of art, you'll start to become aware of you personal taste
- Note the medium used (watercolor, colored pencil, etc.) and the substrate (paper, vellum, etc.) you may develop a preference
- Look at multiple works by the same artist to get a sense of an artist's style, follow those whose work you like
- Look at original art whenever possible. There is a remarkable difference between the original and even today's high quality prints or what you see online
- Attend exhibitions of original works
- Attend opening receptions for exhibitions - you often have an opportunity to meet the artists
- Ask about the story behind the work
- Look for quality - scientific accuracy, consistent depiction of the direction of light, tight detail work
- Buy what you like
- When your budget is limited, consider smaller, less complex works of higher quality rather than larger, more complex works of lower quality
- Consider purchasing pieces that fit a theme to give cohesiveness to your collection
- Insist on archival quality framing