That painting on your mother's wall might have more value than you think! Most of us have some kind of painting at home, a watercolour, an oil painting, a gouache or modern acrylic painting. Some from prominent modern artists, some painted centuries ago by the so-called Old Master. We get paintings as presents or buy them for our collection or just because they are aesthetically appealing. But did you know that paintings do not necessarily have to be by a hand of a famous artist to express high value? 

Actually millions of pounds of undiscovered art is located with private owners across the globe. Investors are increasingly looking to the art market, as an alternative investment source for tangible assets. The sale of fine art has recently seen a boom in the market with bullish collectors and buyers bidding top prices for new to the market works.

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Of course the artist size and condition are the top three indicators of what your painting may be worth. Works by famous surrealists such as Magritte, Salvador Dali or Joan Miro paintings, or impressionists such as Pissarro will always find a high end buyer. But the Fine Art market is prone to trends and fashions as any other, so the style and the subject of a painting may play a significant role in establishing the value of your piece. It is important to consider this when deciding whether to sell or even when buying a painting. It may be that the collector's market will be hungry for Indian art or African paintings this season, or that seascape themed paintings will fall particularly in favour in upcoming auctions. 

Other factors that affect a painting valuation include the condition of the work, the provenance of the piece and the quality of the execution. Watercolour paintings have to be displayed or stored away from the direct sunlight so the pigmentation would not fade. It is worth checking the humidity of the room or storage as well, as this may affect the paper the artist used. Oil paintings often get cracked surfaces (craquelure)  which can be an indicator of age but also of bad quality of used materials by the artists. The presence or absence of craquelure can also help verify the painting's authenticity.

If you want to know the value of your painting the easiest way is to submit it for online appraisal at Value My Stuff. Our fine art experts have both knowledge and experience in appraising online oil, watercolour, acrylic and gouache paintings and many more. Online appraisal is the first step of getting to know the value behind your artwork. If you'd like to get a paintings appraisal from our online specialist, simply upload a photograph and tell us any other details you know about the item.

Son of John Skeaping RA, our expert grew up in a house rife with art. He began his career in 1971 by converting an antiques shop into a Gallery to sell Victorian and Modern British paintings. Since then he has acquired forty years in the art world, travelling extensively throughout South Africa and South America in pursuit of ‘lost’ works.

Our Continental Pictures Specialist has over 35 years of experience; having worked for Phillips and Sotheby’s, he subsequently set up his own consultancy business offering advice for fine art and valuation. Our specialist is also a past chairman of SOFAA (The Society of Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers).

Another of our painting's expert has previously worked at Sotheby’s in Billingshurst as well as a local UK auction house. Whilst our expert has a wealth of knowledge in different art movements and eras, he maintains a particular interest in 19th and 20th century oils and watercolours.

Our Modern British Art expert is a former auctioneer and Department Director at Bonhams Auctioneers in Oxford. She is a History of Art graduate of UCL, and postgraduate of the Courtauld Institute in London. She worked in London for many years at both Christie's and Bonhams as a specialist and department director in the 20th Century British Art departments. She has travelled internationally to advise collectors and has a broad range of experience in valuing entry level to high end collections.

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