Original artwork under £200: how to own real art without a trust fund

There's a myth that original art is for people with a second home in the Cotswolds. It isn't. An original simply means the actual piece the artist made, not a copy. And plenty of artists sell originals for less than you'd spend on a weekend away.

I'm Luis. I paint originals on antique book pages in London and sell them from my stall in Covent Garden. My small originals are £55. Let's talk about how to buy one well.

What counts as "original artwork"?

An original is one of a kind. The artist made it with their own hands, and there's only one. That's different from:

• A print: a reproduction of an original. Can be beautiful, but there are many.
• A limited edition print: a reproduction in a fixed number, often numbered.
• A "hand-embellished" print: a print with a few marks added by hand. Nice, but not an original.

If you want the full breakdown, read art print vs original. When you're shopping under £200, always check which one you're getting, because the word "original" gets used very loosely online.

Where to find original art under £200

Artist markets

Buying direct is the best value. No gallery commission, which can be a big chunk of the price. Covent Garden's Jubilee Market Hall is full of artists at the weekend.

Degree shows

Every summer art schools hold graduate shows, and students often price work to sell. You might be buying someone's first sale before they get famous.

Artist websites and Instagram

Most artists sell originals online. Follow the ones you like: originals often sell to followers before they're ever listed.

My originals under £200

These are hand-painted by me on real antique book pages, so the paper under the paint is a one-off too. Every one is signed.

Cheers to Life is a toast in paint. More Than Ordinary is for anyone who refuses to blend in. The Best Is Yet to Come, in landscape, has a raw torn edge, so it looks great floating in a box frame.

And the cheapest originals in the shop are my antique images: old portraits from antique art books, painted over with colour and a new attitude. £25 each, and each one is unique.

What to check before you buy

1. Is it really an original? Ask the artist directly. A real artist will be happy to tell you how it was made.
2. What's the size? Check the artwork size, not just the paper. My product pages list sizes where I have them.
3. Is it signed? Most originals are. It matters for the story more than the value.
4. How will it arrive? Works on paper need to be packed flat and protected.
5. Can you return it? Online purchases in the UK come with a 14-day right to cancel. Check the artist's policy.

How to frame an original on paper

Originals on paper deserve a bit of care. Use an acid-free mount so the paper doesn't yellow, glass or acrylic to protect it, and hang it out of direct sunlight. A simple box frame works brilliantly for pieces with torn edges. My framing guide has the details.

Why originals cost what they cost

People sometimes ask why one small painting costs £55 and a bigger one costs £350. It's mostly size, time and materials. A large piece with neon acrylic framing takes much longer to make and costs more to frame and ship. A small piece on a single book page is quicker, so it's priced to be within reach. The joke is the same size either way.

Is it worth it?

I'll be honest: don't buy original art as an investment. Buy it because it makes you happy every time you walk past it. The joy is the return. And there's something special about knowing nobody else in the world has the same piece on their wall.

If you love a design but it's already sold, I can paint you something in the same spirit as a commission. And if £55 is still a stretch, the prints are £20, which is a lovely way to start. See how to start an art collection on a budget.

Questions about buying original art