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Investing in stocks and shares might be the traditional thing to do, but there’s no guarantee that’ll you make any money. So if you’re going to invest in something unpredictable, why can’t it be beautiful as well?

In the colorful world of art, the business of investing is black and white. You buy a piece of artwork, and hope the artist's work goes up in value. Experts say you might not need to wait long. It can happen within hours of your purchase. To invest wisely in art, you must have both good taste and business sense.

Investing in art is investing in your own aesthetic. You should not only have to have desire to live with the artwork, but you also have to educate yourself on the business end.

Collecting art can be one of the most enjoyable ways to spend your money. An engaging work can provide its owner with a lifetime of visual pleasure -- and then fetch cash. As with any other field, you must do your homework before investing. Art's unpredictable value makes it as easy to lose as to profit.

As a first step into the world for art, you have to make sure you start seeing a lot of works of art. Visit a lot of art galleries and exhibitions to expose you to all sorts of styles and medium. Make an attempt to understand the techniques, strokes, textures and colours in all works of art - be it paintings, photographs or sculptures. Take interest in what strikes your fancy and then try to figure out why. Was it the contrast in colours or was it the brush strokes? Was it the impressionist character or the abstract depiction that you liked? Identifying this will roughly outline your taste in art.

To further develop your taste, you have to start reading a lot of art related books and magazines. Get into the habit of following art columns in the newspapers and comments from the critics on the various exhibitions you visit. It is also important to share your thoughts and views with other art enthusiasts. Create your own art community and discuss various artists and their works. Talking to the owner and manager of the galleries always helps in enhancing your insight since they have a wider knowledge of the art world and the market. Private curators have a good knowledge of different styles and forms as well and they usually love to advise potential investors on art. 

How to Start Investing in Art
If you want an investment advice, people usually tell you to invest in stocks, real estate or other fixed deposit schemes. Very few talk about art whereas collecting art is one of the most unique and enjoyable investments.

At present, art is as hot an investment as real estate due to the vibrant art scene and increasing profile of Indian art in the international market. The returns are as good if not better, provided one invests in the right artists at the right price. It is much easier to invest in art, one can invest in small or big amounts suiting one's investible surplus. Good aesthetics and some business sense - that is all that takes to make a smart investment in art. You can start at as low as Rs. 500 and go up to any amount that suits you.

Buying works of young talented artists is the best way to get good long-term returns. Look for an artist who is represented by a good gallery, has got good reviews, has registered good sales in his first few shows. For short-term returns go for the works of the established artists which will fetch you a 100% increase in two to three years time frame. Make sure that the work appeals to you, so that even if the price remains static, you have a work which you'll enjoy.

Always keep abreast of the trends of the art market. Go through articles on art in newspapers and magazines, surf sites of good galleries and auction houses. Visit art shows, art galleries, interact with artists, art critics and gallerists and keep a watch on how the artists whose works you have invested in, are performing; which exhibitions they are participating. If they continue to make good works and are shown in good exhibitions, your investment value is bound to increase. Since the art world is not regulated as equities, the investor has to be cautious in buying and beware of unknown antique/art dealers, prices temporarily inflated by hype or in auctions and fakes floating in the market.

Investment in art is now not only taste of people with high-net worth. Nowadays, there is increasing trend of art buyer in middle-level salaried people too.

Compared to real estate, it is much easier to invest in. You can invest in small amounts. It is a liquid investment and gives you the same rate of returns, besides it will give you visual pleasure and pride of ownership. What more you can ask for!!
 
Tips for Investing in Art
It’s possible to make a lot of money by investing in artwork, but how can you avoid the pitfalls? Here are a few tips on how to make your money count.
  • Try and predict the trends – buy cheap pieces from unknown artists for the most potential return.
  • Find out as much as you can about the artist before you buy.
  • What’s the piece made of? Don’t buy anything that might not physically pass the test of time.
  • Think about what the work represents. A bad painting of a famous person may end up being worth more than a good one of the artist’s wife.
  • Watch out for prints – what you think might be an original might be a very good copy.
  • Remember that dealers don’t have to have any qualifications: what they know is often gleaned from their experience in the business.
  • Most importantly, bear in mind that the value might go up or down – so buy something you love and want to own for its own sake.
 
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