So in this post I want to talk a little bit about what happens after artwork has been purchased, and how you, as the buyer, can make the most out of it. As an artist, I create the work, sell it, and then it goes off to it's new home wherever that may be. To invest in someone's artwork means that it obviously has value to you, and for that reason I thought I would write a few tips about hanging, interior design, and choosing the correct artwork for the space. I'm no professional, but I have a passion for this area and since I hang a lot of artwork I thought I'd share with you what I know works well from my experience.
1. Interior design
- So this really is all about where you choose to hang the painting in your house. While there are exceptions, for larger paintings, I personally think they should be made a feature in the room, and one of the first things people see when they walk in a room. For example, in a bedroom you want to hang it above the bed, or maybe on a feature wall in the main living space. There's no point in buying work, just to end up hiding it behind a door, or fitting it in where there's enough space. I would strongly advice against hanging artwork up along the sides of a corridor, as it will become something you just walk past without looking at it, and there's the potential for it to be knocked off.
- It's also important to think about the lighting in the room, which is such an important factor for my artwork especially, as I like to use a lot of metallics and shimmery colours which may only appear under certain light. If the perfect wall happens to be in a dark space, then there is the option to have some spotlights fitted above the artwork (shown in the image on the left), which will really showcase the painting well.
- Another tip, is to make sure that the painting is the right size for the wall. If you hang a small painting on a giant wall, it won't quite look right, and the painting will be lost. Alternatively, a painting that is too big for a wall will look cluttered and out of place. You also have to bear in mind the actual shape of the canvas. Some walls would suit a portrait better than a landscape and vice versa. The pictures below show an example of a wall with artwork that is too small on the left, and better sized on the right.
- Like I said at the start, artwork looks great on a feature wall, however you want to make sure that the wall is a white or plain colour. Wallpapered walls will not set off the painting well, and will detract from it's colours. Obviously, I'm a white wall lover and I personally think that artwork looks best on a white wall, however a plain colour can also look great, as long as the colours are complimentary, like this example on the left.
2. Atmosphere
Artwork is different to just putting up a decoration, or maybe a mirror on the wall. It will change the atmosphere completely. As an artist, I have the privilege of constantly having new paintings up, and I usually have a change every season, so I have seen first-hand how much the atmosphere of the whole room changes just by putting up a different painting. The reason this is important, is because certain rooms are meant for certain activities - a bedroom is for sleeping so you may want to create a calming, peaceful atmosphere, so a painting depicting a herd of elephants of frantic seagulls may not be the one to chose for that space. That doesn't mean to say you have to follow this advice, is just may be something worth thinking about. Knowing a bit more about the artwork can help you to understand what it will bring to your home, which is why I post a new blog post every month writing about the story and meanings behind my artwork.
3. Hanging
All of my artwork comes with hanging wire attached to the back, or if it's a small piece it may have a hanging attachment that will hook over a nail. I've noted down a couple of obvious tips, but if you need help the internet is full of more in depth advice!
- The painting will look best if it's hung central on the wall, so use a tape measure to make sure the hook is in the right spot (if you haven't got one already).
- The artwork should never be hung below eye level. How high it should be will depend on the ceiling height of the room as well as the shape of the canvas, but getting someone else to give a second opinion will really help.
- Use a spirit level to check that the painting isn't crooked.
- Larger paintings may need two, sometimes three hooks to keep it secure.
Some smaller paintings don't have to be hung, you can purchase a mini easel or stand and use it as a desk or side table decor which is shown in the image on the left. This can be a great way to add more personality to a desk space or side unit.
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At the end of the day, the most important thing you can do to make the most of your art is just to enjoy, and let it bring you happiness and inspiration everyday!
Let me know if this was helpful for anyone, whether you have recently brought a painting or you are planning to in the future. Thanks for reading,
- Sophie