Building an Art Collection

Thinking about when the best time is to start your art collection? Our 26th September Paintings and Works on Paper auction is a great place to find some real treasures and bargains. From oil paintings to watercolours, sketches to prints, there is something for everyone in this sale.

Here are a few top tips to consider when deciding how to build your collection...

Buy something that you enjoy looking at.

The real value of a work of art is in the joy it brings the owner. While art can be a great investment, as you look to start your collection, you should buy a piece that you enjoy.

LOT 55 | § ELIZABETH BLACKADDER O.B.E., R.A., R.S.A., R.S.W., R.G.I. (SCOTTISH B.1931) | HONG KONG CAT
Signed and numbered 13/20 in pencil to margin, etching | 8cm x 10cm (3.25in x 4in) | £400 - £600 + fees

Prints, etchings and other forms of works on paper are a great way to purchase works by well-known artists at a lower cost .

These mediums tend to be less expensive than the more traditional paintings, but you still get to enjoy a work by on of your favourite well-known artists. It’s the big name without the big price tag.

In this sale, you’ll find a selection of diverse and engaging prints by Whistler (Lot 2), L.S. Lowry (Lot 14), Elizabeth Blackadder (Lot 49, 55), Wyndham Lewis (Lot 131), Anne Redpath (Lots 170 & 177) and William McTaggart (Lot 177).

LOT 85 | § LAURENCE STEPHEN LOWRY (BRITISH 1887-1976) | THE FAMILY
Offset colour lithograph from edition of 850, signed and embossed with Fine Art Guild stamp to margin
26.5cm x 21cm (10.5in x 8.25in) | £800 - £1,200 + fees

Do your research before you buy, whether at auction or from a gallery.

Speak to the Specialists and request a condition report on the work before purchasing your piece. Research the artist and the work so that you have a better understanding and appreciation for what you’re buying. For example, when considering purchasing a print, contact the auction of gallery to find out more about the edition information.

LOT 177 | § ANNE REDPATH O.B.E., R.S.A., A.R.A., L.L.D., A.R.W.S., R.O.I., R.B.A. (SCOTTISH 1895-1965)| STILL LIFE WITH DAISIES
Signed and numbered 62/75, lithograph (Qty: 2) | 27cm x 45cm (10.5in x 17.75in)
and another print by William McTaggart RSA 'Roses Against A Night Sky' (2) | £400 - £600 + fees

Try to view the work in person (when possible).

Photographs are often not always the same as seeing the real thing. You may even fall in love with a work you would have never considered after seeing it in person.

LOT 2 | JAMES ABBOTT MCNEILL WHISTLER (AMERICAN 1834–1903) | FUMETTE, 1858
Signed and inscribed 'Imp. Delatre. Rue St. Jacques, 171' to margin, etching | 16.5cm x 11cm (6.5in x 4.25in) | £300 - £500 + fees

Whether in person, in absentia, on the phone, or through one of our online bidding platforms - buying at auction is an exciting and easy way to aquire your new favourite work of art.

Buying pieces at auction is an exciting endevour, often giving you the chance to experience to a diverse range of works of art. The auction process can seem daunting when registering for your first auction, but it is a great oppertunity to acquire a piece you love, sometimes even at a bargin! 

Find more information about how to buy with us  ➤

Dates for Your Diary 

AUCTION | Paintings & Works on Paper | Thursday 26 September 11:00am

VIEWING | Sunday 22nd September 12pm-4pm | Monday 23rd & Tuesday 24th September 10am-5pm | Morning of sale

LOCATION | 33 Broughton Place, Edinburgh

VIEW THE FULL AUCTION CATALOGUE  ➤