Key takeaways
- Start with the wall, not the painting: measure first so you know the size range that will work.
- Buy what moves you. Long-term satisfaction comes from a genuine emotional response, not trends.
- Buying directly from the artist gives you a fair price, clear provenance and the story behind the work.
- Check the practical details: medium, size, finished sides, varnish, signature, delivery and care.
Buying an original painting is different from buying almost anything else for your home. There is only one of it in the world, it was made by a person's hand, and it will probably outlast most of the furniture around it. That can feel intimidating. It doesn't need to.
This guide walks through the whole process the way an experienced collector would approach it, step by step. It is written from the studio of abstract painter Svitlana Morhunov, but the advice applies wherever you buy.
Why buy original art at all?
A reproduction shows you what a painting looks like. An original lets you experience it: the ridges of impasto catching the morning light, the depth that thin glazes give to color, the subtle way a surface changes as you walk past it. None of that survives printing.
Originals also carry meaning. You know who made the work, and often why. Over years of living with a painting, that story becomes part of your home's story. For a deeper comparison, read original painting vs. print.
Step 1: Measure your space first
The most common regret among new collectors isn't the wrong style. It's the wrong size. A painting that is too small for its wall looks timid, no matter how good it is.
- Above furniture (sofa, bed, console): aim for art roughly 57–75% of the furniture's width.
- On an open wall: aim for about half to two thirds of the wall's width.
- Height: center the artwork about 57–60 inches from the floor, the standard hanging height used by galleries.
Our art size calculator does the math for you and draws the result to scale. There is also a detailed guide to what size art to hang above a sofa.
Step 2: Set a comfortable budget
Original art spans an enormous price range. Work by emerging and independent artists is often far more affordable than people expect, especially when bought directly from the studio. Prices are usually driven by size, the artist's experience and exhibition history, and the time and materials involved.
Svitlana prices her paintings simply, by canvas size: $180 for 18 × 24 inches and $260 for 24 × 36 inches. See how much original art costs for a fuller explanation of pricing.
Step 3: Trust your response
Experienced collectors give the same advice again and again: buy what you love. Stand in front of the work (or look at it closely online) and notice what happens. Do you want to keep looking? Does it change your mood? Do you see something new the second time?
With abstract art especially, you don't need to "get it" in words. Color, rhythm and texture speak directly. If you'd like a framework for looking, read how to understand abstract art.
Original paintingRiver of HomeAcrylic on canvas, 24 × 36 in · $260View the painting →
Step 4: Think about the room
Consider the light, the colors already in the room and the feeling you want. Warm palettes of gold, amber and crimson feel inviting and energetic; cool blues and teals feel calm. A painting can echo colors in your space or provide a deliberate contrast and become the room's focal point. Our guide to choosing abstract art for your home covers this in depth, or try the painting finder quiz.
Step 5: Check the practical details
Before you commit, confirm the essentials. Use this checklist; it remembers your progress.
Every painting in Svitlana's collection is acrylic on canvas, with sides painted black so no frame is needed, signed on the back and varnished.
Step 6: Buy directly from the artist
When you buy from a gallery, a significant share of the price typically goes to the gallery as commission. Buying direct from the artist usually means a fairer price, and you get something galleries can't always offer: a conversation with the person who made it.
It also gives you the clearest possible provenance: a direct record that the work came from the artist's studio. To buy one of Svitlana's paintings, simply send an inquiry. She will confirm availability and answer any questions.
Step 7: Pickup, delivery and hanging
If you live near Troy, Michigan, pickup is free and you can see the painting in person first. Otherwise, paintings are carefully packed and shipped, with shipping quoted at cost for your address.
When it arrives, hanging a gallery-wrapped canvas is straightforward. Our step-by-step guide to hanging a canvas painting covers tools, height and spacing. Then read how to care for acrylic paintings so the colors stay vibrant for decades.
Not sure which piece suits your space? Send a photo of your wall with your inquiry, and Svitlana will happily share her honest opinion.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to buy art directly from the artist?
Buying directly from the artist usually means a lower price (no gallery commission), a clear record of where the work came from, and the chance to ask the artist questions about the piece. Many collectors also value the personal connection.
How do I know a painting is an original?
An original painting has real brushstrokes and texture you can see and feel, a signature from the artist, and no edition number. Buying from the artist directly is the simplest way to be sure.
Can I see a painting in person before I buy?
For Svitlana Morhunov's paintings, yes. You can arrange a viewing in Troy, Michigan, and pickup there is free. Send an inquiry to set a time.
What should I ask the artist before buying?
Ask about the exact size, the materials, whether the sides are finished, whether it is varnished, how it will be packed and shipped, and how to care for it.
