How to Buy Local Art on Any Budget

Nature’s Theatre by Hannya Ani Robinson, £495

Midsummer Hares Limited Edition Print by Lousia Ellis

Art is often the pièce de résistance in creating a space that feels finished. It’s the full stop to an interior that you might have been carefully honing. Hanging and displaying artwork completes a room – and, in turn invites you to finally relax and enjoy it. 

And, if you’re feeling selfless, buying art is hugely important for the artists themselves. Buying from an artist may well be the difference between make or break for them. Being an artist is famously a difficult career, but so many artists continue to create work because it’s innate to them, and they can’t fathom a world where they no longer express themselves. 

Imagine living in a world without a diverse community of artists. Strip your walls of your favourite artworks and replace them with mass-produced, possibly even AI-generated artworks that lack any originality and skill. Our homes would all look the same, and we’d struggle to celebrate our own personality. 

Buying art is a good thing to do, and so is supporting artists. 

That said, there are times when you shouldn’t…Here are a few reasons why not to buy art, before we help you find art to suit your budget:

• Because it’s purely trend-driven. 

Chances are you won’t love it next year and it’s a waste of your hard-earned money…

• Because you’re trying to impress others. 

While this is tempting, remember you must admire it first. You have to live with it, not others. Make sure it speaks to you personally.

• Because it’s outside of your budget. 

Art should be an investment into your happiness, not a financial burden. If you find yourself concerned about the impending dent in your finances, adjust your budget.

• Because you’re in a rush. 

Impulse purchases rarely result in long-lasting enjoyment. Art often requires some reflection and viewing the painting multiple times to fully consider it. 

• Because you feel guilty. 

It’s easy to feel the burden of expectations, perhaps others in your life are buying art or you feel you’re at an age you should. Silence this noise, you deserve to spend your money on objects and experiences that bring you joy – and these are different for everyone. 

Art on Any Budget: Our Top Tips

Small Budget (Under £50) 

What kind of artwork can I buy under £50?

• Giclee Art Prints

What are ‘giclee art prints’? They are high quality reproductions of original artworks. Giclee comes from the French word ‘gicler’ which means to ‘spray’. Unlike hand-printed artworks (below), they could theoretically be produced an unlimited amount of times. Giclee prints are a brilliant way to bring affordable artwork into your home.

• Lino Prints

Lino printmakers carve a design into linoleum, before placing ink onto the surfaces, and pressing onto paper through a printing press. Resulting in beautiful dynamic prints.

• Mono Prints

A ‘print’ is made usually by inking an object or surface, before pressing it to paper. Like the name suggests, on a mono print this can only be done once, no two images will be the same. 

• Postcards

Postcards, whether original or printed, can be a creative and affordable way to sprinkle your space with artworks. Place them artfully on cabinets and mantelpieces, or tape to a wall. Many artists produce collections of beautifully printed postcards.

• Collages

Mixed-media collages are unique and often composed of interesting textures and patterns that might suit a space perfectly. 

• Small Original Artworks

You can absolutely buy original artwork for under £50 – see how below. 

Where can I buy art under £50?

• Art Fairs & Craft Fairs

Search local art and craft fairs, and mark the dates in your diary. They are often full of brilliant creatives who fly under the radar and have lower price artworks. 

• Young Artists

Pay attention to fine art students and graduates, attend graduate shows, and be the all important first customers while demand is low and prices are low. You’ll also put a huge smile on the young artists’ faces! 

• Artists at the Beginning of their Journey

Remember that people become artists at all ages, seek out artists who are still experimenting and therefore charging less for their works. Do you have artistic friends? Community art groups? 

• Social Media 

Follow artists you like on social media, they may offer flash sales of work, or smaller works on paper, sold directly via instagram or facebook. 

• Online Shops like Inspire Makers

Browse online shops that support local artisans, for example, google search ‘Falmouth Artisan Shop & Gallery’ and Inspire Makers (us!) will pop up. Put your town in, and what you’re looking for, and see if they have a website for shopping online. 

• Local Artisan Shops

Head to the high street and browse the independent shops, enquire about artworks within your budget. 

Sunset Surf – Art Print by Single Fin Collective £25

Cormorant Limited Edition Risograph Lino Print by Riverbird Studio, £25

Three Bluebells A5 Monoprint by Alicia Breakspear £40

Terracotta Study III Original Unframed Oil Painting £50

Budget £50-£200

What kind of artwork can I buy for a budget of £50-£200?

• Limited Edition Prints

Wood block prints, or lino prints, can be printed in a limited edition. You’ll know if you’re purchasing from an edition or 10, 30, or 50. And the prints are likely priced accordingly. 

• Photography 

If it’s the scale you’re after, perhaps purchasing photography is a more affordable way to achieve this. 

• Mid-Sized Original Artwork 

There will be original artworks available at this price range, from galleries and direct from artists. 

• Framed Artwork

At the mid-range budget you’ll likely afford framed artwork! A good frame protects the artwork, and helps it complete the visual impact of the piece. 

Where can I buy art between £50-£200?

• Open Studio Events

Search for Open Studio events in your local area. Artists open up their studios to the public, so you can browse and purchase work. They’ll often have smaller lower price options available too. 

• Art Galleries 

Visit your local art galleries, unless they are particularly high end, they should have pieces available towards the upper end of your £50-£200 budget. They may also have a great selection of prints!

• Artisan Shops 

Artisan shops will naturally have a lower price range than galleries, and aren’t often the first port of call – but should be! At Inspire Makers we stock the work of plenty of Cornish Artists, but in more of a ‘shop’ than gallery setting. Although we do have our gallery space which showcases one artist per month. 

Small Blue Fish 3D Laser Cut Artwork by Lazique, £55

Terns 1 Limited Edition Linocut Print by Riverbird Studios, £60

Unfurling Limited Edition Woodblock Print by Louisa Ellis £70

Falmouth Portrait Map by Cornish Paper Cut Art, £75

Colours of the Ocean Original Unframed Painting by Maggie Cochran £95

Riding the Waves Original Mixed Media and Collage by Jane Wilson, £150

Big Art Budget (£200+) 

What kind of art can I buy for £200+?

• Large Original Artwork

A higher budget naturally means you’ll be able to afford larger original artworks.

• Sculptures

You’ll also be able to afford other premium pieces, like hand carved sculptures. Don’t pigeonhole yourself to paintings – consider whether sculptures or textile art might suit the space well.

• Large Limited Edition Prints 

You may be able to afford more exclusive limited edition prints, printed in a smaller number. And larger prints too! 

• Sought After Art by Established Painters

You’ll be able to purchase work by more established artists who are gaining a reputation within their industry. 

Mid Cornwall by Cornish Paper Cut Art, £225

Helford Trees Original Painting by Mick Dobie, £275

Low Tide Near Flushing Original Gum & Ink Painting by Allison Marshall, £295

Transition Original Painting by Hannya Ani Robinson, £450

Where can I buy art worth £200+?

• Galleries

Galleries will present a range of artworks, usually focusing on original artworks which often cost more than prints. Join the newsletters of galleries you like, so you’ll be introduced to their new artists first. 

• Artisan Shops 

Again, don’t discount the artisan shops – many of which (like us!) have high quality artworks up to £500 or more. 

• High End Art Fairs 

Visit well-curated Art Fairs that showcase reputable talent alongside emerging artists. In Cornwall, we have FORM Art Festival, which brings together the finest artists in the county and is an art buying event that allows you to browse the brilliant artwork, in one place.

How to choose the right art for your home

Right, there are two answers here – hopefully one will appeal to you! 

Answer 1: 

The ‘right’ art is the art you love. Sounds simple – but the emphasis is on love. It’s genuine heart eyes, goosebumps, can’t bear to not have, thinking about it long after walking away, love. This happens rarely, and so when it does – go for it. It’s the right artwork for you. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have enough wall space, if you think others might not like it, or if it doesn’t ‘go’ with your other artwork. Your home, or your workspace, doesn’t have to ‘go’ – it has to be made up of things that you love. And often, these are aesthetically the spaces that are the most interesting and beautiful anyway. They are a true representation of who you are and the things you love. A space like this will make you very happy. 

Answer 2: Maybe you’re more data-driven, and need a bit of objective help to feel confident in your purchase. If so, consider whether the artwork suits the intended space, does it have a similar colour palette? Or one that stands out but compliments not clashes? Does it have a similar mood to the space? It is calm, harmonious, or fun, jarring – is it noisy or quiet? Can you picture the painting moving from home to home with you? Does it represent somewhere or someone special?

 Shoaling Fish Large Textile Art by Wendy Horner, £395

Supporting Local Artists and Galleries

Here in Cornwall, we’re so lucky to have a rich legacy of Cornish artists and artists from further afield who settled here after being hypnotised by the golden light. The rugged Cornish landscape provides endless inspiration, and it’s fascinating to see it depicted through the eyes of different creatives. 

When buying artwork from local artists and independent galleries, you’re supporting a community and economy that truly deserve it. These artists are dedicated, driven by an innate desire to creatively explore and express their thoughts – bringing a vision or concept to life. It’s a privilege for us to have an insight into it. 

Supporting independent galleries is essential for the survival of emerging artists – many of whom rely on the platform to reach an audience and kickstart their career. Finding a gallery that resonates with you is a wonderful experience, they do most of the hard work for you. They seek out artists you’ll love, and display the works in a way that you’ll find inspiring.

Me (Vicki) at my artisan shop and gallery, Inspire Makers

Practical Tips for Art Buying

Feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of finding and buying art? The below will help you narrow down the search.

– Know Your Specs

Measure the space, what are possible artwork dimensions? Would you like a portrait or landscape piece? Take photos of the space, so you can reference it when looking at artwork.

– Set a Budget

Set a budget you’re comfortable with, and set an absolute top-end of it. What could you buy a painting for, that won’t disrupt your finances? When searching online, adjust the price filter, so you won’t even see paintings that are out of budget. In a gallery, explain your budget, and ask them to point you in the direction of artists or artworks that suit it.

– Ask Questions

Artists and galleries love to chat about their work, it’s their job to help you – so ask away! Is there a delivery cost? Are there smaller works by the same artist available? Would they be open to a discount?

– How to Choose a Frame?

Most galleries will sell work as displayed, canvases may have been left unframed intentionally, which will often naturally lower the price. Or if you don’t like the chosen frame, enquire about alternative options. If purchasing an unframed artwork from the artist, ask them what they’d recommend? What style of frame? What colour? With or without a mount? They will likely have good framing contacts, and if you love their work, chances are you’ll love their framing suggestion.

There you go! An introduction to buying art for any budget, and how to know whether it’s the ‘right’ artwork for you. 

Art is everywhere, and it’s made by artists. They may be at the start of their journey, or nearing the end, they might draw tiny intricate postcards, or create huge abstract canvases. You can value their work, at whatever stage they’re at – if it speaks to you, that’s the important thing. Anyone can own art, no matter what their budget is. 

There are so many brilliant artists who are just in need of a platform, and that’s what we’ll continue to give them at Inspire Makers. We’ll always offer a range of art, for all budgets. 

So join our newsletter to meet the latest faces. 

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