Buying original works of art—whether an oil painting, watercolor, print, photograph, or piece of sculpture—is no longer the preserve of the wealthy. In fact, many people are now turning to art as an alternative to investing in stocks, shares, and property. Find out how to make an informed purchase, when and where are good places to buy and sell (not always the same) including the Internet and the ever-popular eBay; and how to find out if that filthy oil painting you’ve picked up in the local junk shop should be cleaned and whether it’s worth anything—and the tax implications if it is. All the visual arts are covered, with information on how to research an artist, provenance, and a subject—all of which can affect value. Above all, you’ll learn how to build a coherent collection and how to pick pieces that you can enjoy and will stand the test of time, too.