The Best Online Sources for the Art Lover on a Budget (2024)

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Nancy Mitchell

Nancy Mitchell

As a former Senior Writer at Apartment Therapy, Nancy split her time among looking at beautiful pictures, writing about design, and photographing stylish apartments in and around NYC.

Sarah M. Vazquez

Sarah M. VazquezCommerce SEO Editor

Sarah writes about all things shopping for Apartment Therapy, The Kitchn, and Cubby helping you find the best deals and the best products for you and your home. A Brooklyn-born Jersey Girl, she loves a good playlist, a good bagel, and her family (but not necessarily in that order).

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updated Jan 18, 2024

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We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

The Best Online Sources for the Art Lover on a Budget (1)

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I wish I had the kind of disposable income that allowed me to walk into my favorite galleries and buy the work that I love right off the walls, but let’s be real, that’s just not gonna happen anytime soon. So instead, I will rely on the next best (read: affordable) thing: The internet.

Buying art online has really improved in recent years. Like really improved. You can now find quality wall artwork from great unknown artists who you may not have found otherwise, as well as prints of well-known established faves, all from the comfort of your own home. Even better, many of these sites have frequent sales and deals you won’t want to miss out on (who doesn’t love scoring a great art piece at an equally great price?) So go grab a cup of joe, take a seat, and start browsing — it’s time to go art shopping.

Have a go-to online source for art we missed? We want to hear all about it! Tell us about your favorite shops in the comments below.

Nature Geometry V Art Print$25Society6

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1. Society6

Society6, which offers artists a platform for creating products and selling their work, has lots of unusual, quirky, and interesting choices. Besides prints, they also offer framed prints, wall tapestries, printed canvases, and a host of other products.

Looking for affordable prints of pieces by well-known artists like Picasso or Rothko? Art.com has you covered. From canvas to framed art, you can find virtually every type of piece your heart desires. Plus, you get to enjoy free shipping and returns with your purchase.

Young's Canvas Coral Oil Painting$80.99QVC.com

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3. QVC

The surprising spot to find cute art without breaking the bank? QVC. If you’re looking for approachable art that feels welcoming, look no further than the online shopping retailer for fun pieces, like this sea-inspired oil painting.

Mercury Performs at The Live Aid Concert$149Sonic Editions

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4. Sonic Editions

Partnering with some of the world’s best photographers and picture archives, Sonic Editions is home to hundreds of limited edition, gallery-quality photo prints — many of which have never been available to the public before — of history’s greatest musicians, actors, cult heroes, and cultural icons. Be sure you keep a tab on their offerings because there are always exciting new photo drops on the horizon.

Nadja Sun And Moon Art Print$49Urban Outfitters

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5. Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters may not be the first place you think of when you’re buying art, but recently they’ve begun stocking a very well-curated collection of prints, all of which come in a variety of sizes — up to 40″x60″ — to suit any space.

Geo Abstract$85Minted

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6. Minted

Minted, which offers prints from a selection of independent artists, has a lovely aesthetic, so you won’t have to sort through as many duds as you would on other art sites. All of their prints can be ordered in a variety of sizes, from 7″x5″ to 54″x40″.

Les Muses 1$8Etsy

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7. Etsy

If you’re willing to hunt through a lot of different options, Etsy can actually be a great source for affordable, original art. Plus, you’re buying directly from the artists, so there’s no middleman.

Strawberries Print$40Saatchi Art

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8. Saatchi Art

Choose your style and then sort by price. This fine art website has quite a few mid-range offerings, as well as a limited-edition print site where prints can be had for less than $100.

She Held It All Gently$208.59Artfinder

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Artfinder allows you to buy art directly from artists all over the world, with many selections under $500. Shop original art and get your hands on pieces you won’t find elsewhere.

Island$20Tiny Showcase

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10. Tiny Showcase

Every Tuesday, Tiny Showcase releases a new limited edition print of a work by an independent artist. The prints are on the smaller side — most are sized to fit an 11″x14″ frame or smaller — but the prices are very reasonable, starting at only $15.

Bougainvillea Galaxie$8520 x 200

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11. 20×200

20×200 commissions artists — some well-known, some emerging — to create limited-edition prints exclusively for their site. Each print comes in a variety of sizes, with the smallest ones starting at just $24.

The Slow Rushin$300Zatista

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12. Zatista

This art site allows you to sort by price — and a quick search reveals that there are quite a few good options for under $500.

Hip-Hop Heads$30Pop Chart

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13. Pop Chart

With charts on everything from the universe to coffee to rapper names, these prints are as exhaustive as they are beautiful. (Since this is Apartment Therapy, we also have to mention their American architecture one, too.) Framing options are included, too.

Bolsa Chica II$555Tappan Collective

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14. Tappan Collective

Tappan offers a curated selection of art by emerging artists from around the world. That doesn’t mean everything is pricey though — their pieces start at just $140.

The Banana Issue$200Artstar

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15. ArtStar

This site sources the best in modern art from art fairs, galleries, and artists’ studios, so the selection is always top-of-the-line.

Cliffs$631stDibs

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16. 1stDibs

1stDibs is a designer-favorite art source, gathering pieces from artists big and small (yes, you can get your hands on an original Warhol or Picasso here) around the globe. It also lets you filter by style, artist, and price so you can find the perfect option within your range.

A Vast Expanse$50The Aesthetic Union

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17. The Aesthetic Union

Known for theircustom letterpress workand originallimited-editions,TheAestheticUnion carries everything from cards to prints, ranging in prices from $6 to $300. Founder James Lewis Tucker creates some of the pieces himself — color lovers should check out his graphic, bold work ‘A Vast Expanse’. It was inspired by the macro and micro of the universe, or as he puts it, ” [the] cosmic dance of life and death play.”

Juliet Rose Bouquet$30$24Rifle Paper Co.

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18.Rifle Paper Co.

If you fell in love with Anna Bond’s folksy modern planners, stationery, and home goods back when Rifle Paper Co. launched in 2009, you’ll be happy to know art prints are still a big part of their offerings. You’ll find florals, whimsical quotes, travel-inspired city prints, and even a few animal-themed options among their pretty vast collection.

Bow Study with Pants$625Uprise Art

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19. Uprise Art

If one-of-a-kind, original works are what you’re after, Uprise Art is a good place to start your search. This online marketplace brings the gallery to you, carrying pieces that speak to different media, aesthetics, and price points. If you’re on a tighter budget, stick to the “Art Under $800” category, where offerings start at just $80.

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The Best Online Sources for the Art Lover on a Budget (2024)

FAQs

How do you buy real art even when you're on a budget? ›

How to Start Collecting Art on a Budget
  1. Look for Love. Before you start any art collection, get to know what you like and what you don't. ...
  2. Start Small. Look out for recent graduates or artists just gaining recognition. ...
  3. Go Online. ...
  4. Collect Signed Limited Editions. ...
  5. Minor Works by Major Artists. ...
  6. Pay in Instalments.

How do I find art lovers? ›

Where to Find Art Buyers and Meet Collectors?
  1. Art Galleries and Exhibitions. ...
  2. Art Fairs and Festivals. ...
  3. Online Platforms and Social Media. ...
  4. Artist Residencies and Retreats. ...
  5. Auctions Houses and Private Sales. ...
  6. Art Advisory Services and Consultants. ...
  7. Artist Talks and Networking Events.
May 6, 2024

Which art website is the best? ›

Most Visited Visual Arts and Design Websites
RankWebsitePages / Visit
1pixiv.net9.70
2deviantart.com12.87
3behance.net6.47
4artstation.com6.89
46 more rows

How much commission does art lovers take? ›

Your price must include 'packing and shipping costs' and 33% commission for Art Lovers Australia. This is how we maintain our 'Best Price Guarantee'.

Where can I buy art as a beginner? ›

If you're a novice, you may only have a vague idea of what kind of artwork you like and what will look well in your home. The best way to narrow down your criteria is to do some browsing. Art galleries, art festivals, group shows, and online galleries are all good places to begin.

How to make cheap art look expensive? ›

Here are 10 tips courtesy of Piazza to achieve expensive-looking wall art:
  1. Focus on framing. ...
  2. Blow up large-format photos and fine art prints. ...
  3. DIY rotating gallery. ...
  4. Hang found textiles. ...
  5. Frame wallpaper samples. ...
  6. Create your own chinoiserie. ...
  7. Curate a plate wall. ...
  8. Make your own masterpiece.
Apr 26, 2019

Where do most art buyers live? ›

Where is the art buying capital of the US?
  • Anaheim, California (842)
  • Tampa, Florida (789)
  • Raleigh, North Carolina (770)
  • San Francisco, California (726)
  • Miami, Florida (620)
  • Austin, Texas (592)
  • Santa Monica, California 5(78)
  • Boston, Massachusetts (572)

How do I regain my love for art? ›

Here are a few tips for rekindling your passion for drawing or sketching:
  1. Take a drawing or sketching class. Taking a drawing class is a great way to get back into the swing of things. ...
  2. Start small. Don't start by trying to draw a large and detailed piece. ...
  3. Experiment with new mediums. ...
  4. Make it fun. ...
  5. Share your work.

What is the best app for online art? ›

  • Adobe Photoshop. Top choice for illustrators and artists. ...
  • Corel Painter. Ideal choice if you're into painting. ...
  • Adobe Fresco. A free painting app with some impressive brushes on display. ...
  • Rebelle. Solid digital art app for realistic paintings. ...
  • Artweaver. A free app for PC. ...
  • ArtRage.
May 21, 2024

What is better than art com? ›

saatchi art is the best place to buy artwork online.

Is Artnet com legit? ›

Since February 1, 2007, artnet has been listed in the Prime Standard, the segment with the highest transparency standards.

What is a fair price for an art commission? ›

Most artists charge a fixed price per square inch on the canvas and multiply that dollar amount by the size of the canvas. For example, an average price point is $1 per square inch. If you request a 16" x 20" art piece, that is an area of 320 inches. 320 x $1 per square inch is $320.

What is the most expensive art commission? ›

This is a list of the highest known prices paid for paintings. The record is approximately US$450.3 million (which includes commission), paid for Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi ( c. 1500).

Why art commission is so expensive? ›

However, there are plenty of people who want beautiful artworks. Therefore, with plenty of demand for artwork, it's the amount of work available that leads to high prices. Scarcity or the artist's ability to only produce a limited number of pieces is what makes it expensive.

Is it worth buying original art? ›

Compared to prints, original artwork is pricier due to the extra time, care, materials, and prestige. But the higher price is worth the investment for the colors, textures, and unique emotion that you get from a piece of original art. Personally, I like to invest in at least one to two originals per year.

Why is buying art so expensive? ›

Well-regarded and recognized artists often command higher prices due to their established standing in the art community. The basic economic principle of supply and demand applies to art as well. Rare pieces by sought-after artists can create bidding wars among collectors, pushing prices to astonishing levels.

Does buying art count as an expense? ›

The expenses associated with art investments are governed by IRC § 212. These expenses are deductible if it can be proven that the investor's primary intent was to hold the artwork for the purpose of generating income.

How do you price realistic art? ›

(Height + Width) × Price per linear inch

It's a simple and straightforward way to price art — not just for you, but also for your buyers. It's also particularly useful if you are working with canvas or paper in a wide range of sizes, for instance, because there will be less price discrepancy between works.

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