How one

How to collect paintings

Painting is undoubtedly the most popular medium for the modern art collector and has been a primary means of artistic expression over the centuries, from the prehistoric cave paintings at Lascaux to the vivid landscapes of Van Gogh. Today, artists are reinterpreting the techniques and themes of this enduring practice while adding their own touches, making it an exciting time for collectors to explore the myriad possibilities of color. Read on to learn more about the medium that produced the likes of Leonardo Da Vinci’s enigma mona lisa and Salvador Dalí’s famous Dreamscapes, so you can build your own collection of paintings with confidence.

materials and techniques

Painting essentially consists of pigmentA binder– like oil, synthetic emulsions, even egg – and a solventthat artists add as they work to make the paint thinner and easier to use.

Oil painting In its present form it dates back to the 15th century. They are pigments suspended in an oil vehicle, typically linseed, and used together with solvents such as turpentine, mineral spirits or natural oils. Oil paint dries slowly, making it suitable for detailed paintings with subtle blending. It also lends itself well to the “wet-on-wet” method to the firstThe technique of building up brushstrokes in one go – this process was particularly popular with the Impressionists, who wanted to capture quick “impressions”. clear air painting sessions. The medium is also known for the impasto technique, in which thick layers of paint are applied, sometimes with spatula knives, to create a relief effect.

Acrylicor pigments suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion were developed for commercial use in the mid-20th century. Due to its ease of use, requiring only water as a solvent, this newcomer quickly became a favorite of Abstract Expressionists, Pop Artists and Street Artists alike. Artists today, for example, often use this medium for acrylic pour and drip paintings, where paint is poured directly onto the canvas; However, it can also be adapted to a variety of approaches that closely mimic oil.

When it comes to watercolorThe pigment is dispersed in a water soluble chemical binder. The artist only has to dilute the paint with water. Watercolor is most commonly used on paper, yielding delicate, translucent brushstrokes while being a close relative gouache (pronounced “gwash”) creates a more opaque, matte finish.

There are other, albeit less common, painting media to discover: before the invention of oil paint, artists from ancient Egypt to early Renaissance Europe used it tempera, an egg-based paint – it is more elaborate than oil but is still used by some contemporary painters who are concerned with the history of their craft. You may also come across this Encaustic paintingIt involves suspending the pigment in hot wax and applying it to canvas or wood, a difficult technique that can add visual depth and lightness.

Popular styles and themes

Because of its variety of techniques and materials, painting encompasses styles and themes as diverse as Abstract Expressionism, traditional landscape painting, portraiture, graffiti, etc pop art collide. The slowness and luminosity of oil paint make it ideal for highly detailed subjects, and the medium is particularly effective in painting hyperrealism movement today. Acrylic can now be used in a variety of forms, even as spray paint to create works as varied as hard edge work Summaries And street art Graffiti that has grown into a significant movement in its own right.

While abstract art dominated for much of the 20th century, it has enjoyed a notable resurgence figurative painting in recent years, particularly among emerging artists exploring their place in the Western art canon. Despite its age, painting continues to represent an ever-expanding frontier of aesthetic and thematic possibilities, making it an important medium even today.

collect paintings

When it comes to collecting paintings or other works of art, the most important thing is to buy what you love and want to live with for a long time. For the first-time collector, painting is an established and enduring medium that requires little maintenance, making it a welcome foray into the world of fine art collecting. And since painting encompasses a variety of different materials with different costs, it’s a great medium to have on a budget, no matter what that’s what you’re looking for spacious and oversized artworks or art for small spaces.

As for preservation, both oil and acrylic are suitable resilient media Regular dusting is usually all that is required. However, we recommend keeping all paintings out of direct sunlight as even the most durable pigments can easily fade. For works on paper that are prone to yellowing, consider framing them behind UV-protected glass for long-term preservation of the artwork.

Whether you’re a fan of traditional oil, a fan of offbeat abstraction, or a niche collector of encaustic art, Saatchi Art has you covered a large selection of original paintings by emerging artists around the world. For a free and personal art consultation Contact our curators to start building your painting collection today.

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