5 Common Misconceptions About Buying an Oil Painting

by Marshall | Oil Paintings

Buying an original oil painting can be overwhelming. There are so many factors to consider. If you want to make the right decision, it's important to know what misconceptions exist about buying oil paintings to avoid them when making your purchase. This article will discuss five common misconceptions people have about buying an oil painting and how they can affect your decision-making process when purchasing one for yourself or as a gift.

Myths About Buying Oil Paintings You Should Not Believe

A lot of people have misconceptions about buying oil paintings. Some think that they are too expensive or just not worth the effort. Others believe that you need to be an expert to buy one. Some feel intimidated by the process and don't want to do it alone. However, none of these things have anything to do with reality. Oil paintings make wonderful gifts for friends and family members, as well as beautiful additions to your home decor. They can be affordable if you know what you're doing, and even novices can learn how to purchase them by following a few simple guidelines. The more knowledge you have before buying one, the better off you'll be when it comes time for the actual transaction. Here are the five misconceptions about buying an oil painting:

1. Oil painting is very expensive.

Oil painting is a time-consuming process. While it may be difficult to get an accurate price of an oil painting, it does not mean that all oil paintings are expensive. There are many affordable options available on the market today for consumers looking to buy original art online. The cost of an oil painting is dependent on many factors, including the type and size of a canvas as well as the quality. It's also important to note that art dealers may charge different rates for similar pieces depending on what part of the world they're located in. In addition, some artists are more popular than others which can affect how much their paintings sell at auctions or from private sellers online.

2. Oil painting is only for the wealthy.

Oil painting has become increasingly popular over the past few years. As more people are beginning to understand that they don’t need the fortune to buy one, it is becoming easier for them to purchase oil paintings online. This means that you should have no trouble finding an artist or gallery that can sell you something within your price range and there should be many options available from which you can choose.

3. Oil paintings are most commonly bought in galleries.

Many people believe oil paintings are most commonly bought in galleries. This is not always the case, but it can be helpful to learn more about different venues where you can purchase an original art piece for your home or office space. Some of these places include online auction sites like eBay, antique shows that happen at least once a month in major cities, estate sales hosted by families who have just lost loved ones, garage or yard sale events held on weekends around parks, schools, churches, basically anywhere large groups of people gather outside with lots of items available to them and finally traditional brick-and-mortar galleries who carry both new as well as some limited edition and/or original oil paintings.

4. Anything can be an oil painting artwork.

There are a lot of people who have started buying and selling oil paintings. Oil painting has been part of history for centuries, which means that there is a long-held belief about how it should be done. There are lots of misconceptions when it comes to this type of artwork because they have been around for so many years ago. In reality, not everything can be turned into an artwork using oil paints as its materials. It takes expertise to know if something can or cannot become one such work since different techniques will need to apply depending on what you want to do with your project idea.

By Dru Bloomfield - https://www.flickr.com/photos/athomeinscottsdale/3836187025/in/photostream/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=95427764

5. All oil paintings appreciate.

This is a myth. The value of an oil painting depends on many factors, including the age and medium used to create it, as well as its popularity with collectors. At times there may be a loss in value if something happens to diminish or destroy it. You must take your time when shopping for an oil painting so you don't pay too much for one that doesn’t have lasting appeal.

We hope this article has helped you understand the misconceptions people have about buying oil paintings. If you require an expert opinion or want to learn more, call us today. Our team is here for your needs and we will gladly help no matter what stage in life you find yourself at.


Are You Looking for Contemporary Art to Complement Your Home?

The Marshall Gallery, located in Scottsdale’s Historic Arts District, has been the center of contemporary art since its founding in 1998. Boasting a collection of paintings, sculptures, and exquisite glass pieces, the gallery hosts several exhibitions each year plus a biennial glass invitational that attracts top-notch talent. Here you will find exceptional art presented in an open and relaxed gallery space, which is perfect for browsing the ever-changing collection. Explore on your own, or allow our expert art consultants to offer complimentary assistance to find the perfect addition to your own collection. Looking for the perfect piece of art to complement your home’s decor? Visit us in person or browse our online art store!


Everything on our website is available for purchase.

Shop our online store! Smaller works are available for immediate purchase.

Contact us for more information.

Hours of Operation

Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m - 5:30 p.m.
Thursday: Extended hours from 7 - 9 p.m. for the Scottsdale ArtWalk
Sunday: Closed

Join Our Newsletter

Copyright © 2024, Art Gallery Software by ArtCloudCopyright © 2024, Art Gallery Software by ArtCloud