Picture perfect How you can buy art at affordable prices

Thanks to online galleries and affordable fairs, collecting art is no longer an exclusive club for the well-off. Zoe Wood reports

- Zoe Wood

That a Banksy painting is worth more partly shredded than when it was whole can make the art world seem like another planet for people with big bank balances. But don't be put off: it has never been easier to start your own collection.

Next week, 20,000 visitors will descend on the Affordable Art Fair (AAF) in London's Battersea Park and over the four days will browse and buy thousands of paintings, sculptures, photographs and prints. It's one of a number of similar events around the UK; the autumn months are a busy time in the art calendar.

At the fair, seasoned pros rub shoulders with first-time and "tomorrow's" buyers, says Will Ramsay, founder of the event. Ramsay started the fair to "make it easier for people to buy art". As the event celebrates its 25th year, he declares: "We have done that."

The average spend at the fair is about £800, with prices starting at about £50 for an edition with a ceiling at £7,500. (An edition is a reproduction of an original image. It is up to the artist how many pieces are in the series; they are usually numbered and sometimes signed, which can add to their value and collectability.)

An artwork such as an etching which is one of 25, will cost less than a unique painting. "For an edition, we're probably talking £50 to £500," says Ramsay. "For a unique piece, it might be £200 to £7,500."

Finding out what's good

Just like buying anything for your home, you need to do your homework. With art, it's not just about setting a budget, you need to wrestle with "how do I know what is good?" And "am I paying the right price?"

Some people find choosing pictures a daunting prospect but buying art should be pleasurable, says Henry Miller, an east London-based art dealer and gallery owner.