Most people would like original art in their home and most people do not have it. The assumption is that it requires a gallery, a budget for framing, and a level of confidence about taste that most people do not feel. None of this is actually true.
The difference between original and print
An original piece — a painting, drawing, or work on paper — is the only copy. It has the maker’s direct mark on it. A limited edition print is produced from an original image, often in a small numbered run of 10–50 copies. An open edition print is reproduced without limit. All three have value, but they are different things at different price points.
Original paintings from emerging UK artists start from around £50 for small works and rise steeply with size and the maker’s reputation. Limited edition prints typically run £20–80. Open edition prints £5–30.
How to think about scale
Most people buy art that is too small for the wall they intend to hang it on. A piece that looks substantial on a website often disappears on a real wall. Measure your wall before buying, and buy bigger than you think you need. An A3 print on a large wall reads as small. A 60x80cm canvas on the same wall has presence.
Framing options
Many UK makers sell prints unframed because framing adds significant cost and personal taste in frames varies. IKEA’s Ribba frames are a reliable and cheap solution that fits standard print sizes. Independent framers can produce bespoke frames that transform a print — worth the cost for a piece you genuinely love.
What subjects to look for
The most enduring art purchases are of subjects that have personal meaning or that you find genuinely beautiful without having to think about it. Landscapes of places you know. Botanical illustrations that make you stop and look. Abstract work in colours that work with your home. Avoid buying art because it feels like it should be liked — buy what you actually want to wake up and see every day.
UK artists worth knowing about
The range of work among independent UK artists on Numonday spans watercolour and gouache landscapes, linocut printmaking, oil painting, acrylic abstraction, botanical illustration, and textile-based art. The Art category has over 13,000 listings. Browsing by sub-category — Watercolour Art, Linocut, Oil Paintings, Abstract — helps narrow things down considerably.
Browse original art and limited edition prints from independent UK artists on Numonday.
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