Buying Original Paintings vs. Prints: What You Need to Know

Buying Original Paintings vs. Prints: What You Need to Know

If you have been to Kadari Art Gallery, I'm sure you know what I mean. You are looking at a painting and your heart is beating just a little faster, and you are thinking, "Wow, this would be perfect in my living room." Then the other voice in your head says, "Should I buy the original…. or would it be wiser to buy a print?"

You aren't the only one; we often receive this question from guests at Kadari. So I'm going to talk about it, not in jargon of typical art-historical or simply technical terms, but in a way that feels clear, honest, and (importantly) helps you decide which option is best for you.

Why Originals Can Have Their Magical Aspects

To own an original art piece is to take home a sliver of the artist's soul. When you stand in front of an original, you are not only experiencing art by seeing it, but you are also feeling it. You can feel the texture, the weight of the paint, the imperfections, every brushstroke, and ultimately, each original "artifact" only has that canvas to ever tell that story.

Take, for example, one of our vibrant pop paintings in Kadari. Its print is bright and cheerful, but when you see the original up close and personal, it practically vibrates with energy; you can feel the bravado of the artist coming off the painting.

Or, in our figurative paintings, the raw human emotion they capture in a way that only a print could hope to emulate. Or even those timeless Mythology Paintings, in their original mediums, they are nearly holy, as if the stories of gods and heroes are being told in your own living room.

Originals are unique. They are one of a kind. No other person on Earth has that specific thing, and nothing can replace it.

Prints: Affordable, Practical, and Attractive

Here's the thing: you don't need to pay for a lot of art to love art. Prints are the perfect solution to surround yourself with something beautiful without breaking the bank. Our prints at Kadari are museum quality. So much so that when you see them compared to the original, even those with trained professional eyes do a double-take.
Want to brighten up the energy of a room with a calming Landscape painting? Or does your heart just want to hang quirky paintings of animals, where the bedroom is filled with personality and whimsy? Prints are so easy.

And to top it off, they are ultimately flexible. Change them up for the seasons, change the mood in the different rooms of the house, or even mix prints with originals to create an extraordinarily layered gallery wall.

Why Originals Still Feel Different

While prints are awesome for enablement and flexibility, there is just something about originals that is, frankly, hard to describe until you have experienced it.

Last week, we had a guest standing in front of the stunning Spiritual Paintings we have at Kadari. This guest then bent down even closer to the painting and whispered, “It’s like it’s calming me just by being here.” That is the type of emotional presence originals hold; yes, they embellish your home, but they also shift your home.

The Best of Both Worlds: Mixing the Originals and the Prints

Here’s a little curator secret: You do not have to have one or the other. Some of the most beautiful homes we have seen mix them seamlessly.

Imagine:

A stunning figurative piece from Kadari is your centerpiece.

Smaller framed prints of Landscape Paintings are strewn throughout the room to help create balance.

A playful piece of painting of animals in your hallway that you can look at every morning when you walk out, and it gives you a big smile.

Not only does this composition give your home style, but it also makes your home look like it has been thoughtfully curated, like you have personally developed your collection of art over time.

Valuable Advice from the Experts at Kadari Art Gallery

Before shopping, we always have our team advise clients:

Listen to your gut feelings: If it makes you stop and look, or feel emotional, then that one is for you.

Get to know the artist: Most of the originals from up-and-coming artists at Kadari are fairly priced and usually have very strong emotional connections.

Think about where you are going to put them: Originals should probably go in areas where light hits their texture. Prints can fill in some relaxed corners or mood rooms.

Start small if you are unsure: You can always start with prints and eventually buy an original that speaks to you.

Mix the styles: Put a pop painting right beside a Spiritual Painting. Trust us, opposite works great here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) : That We Frequently Get Asked at Kadari

1. Are original paintings always expensive?

Not at all! We have originals at Kadari that are going to meet every budget out there. There are so many emerging artists who have work that is affordable and has tons of character.

2. Are prints just as good as originals?

Fine prints - like we have at Kadari - are amazing! When framed properly, they can make a room so beautiful.

3. Can you give a print instead of an original?

Absolutely. Prints are thoughtful, affordable gifts that remain unique, whether it's a happy painting of animals drawing for a friend, or a calm religious painting for a family member, they make great gifts.

4. Will an original appreciate in value?

Generally speaking, yes. For the most part, our collectors who bought our originals over the years usually pricier than they paid for them, especially if the artist becomes highly recognized.

5. Can I mix all prints and originals in one room?

Yes, please! Our team loves helping visitors at Kadari mix the two - it creates a space that is bold, lively, and totally your own. 

6. How would I know that a piece is "the one"?

You'll feel it. That instant you stand before a Mythology Painting and feel the chill, or when a figurative painting makes you grin for no reason? That's the way you know. 

Final Thoughts:

 Let Your Walls Tell Your Story. Whether it's an original work or a reproduction, most importantly, it's a connection. The correct piece doesn't put art on a wall, it puts it in your life. The next time you come to Kadari Art Gallery, linger. Stroll past our colorful set of pop paintings, moving Spiritual Paintings, meticulous Mythology Paintings, and passionate paintings of animals. Stand before the ones that catch your attention. Hear them. Because at the end of the day, art isn't necessarily something you own. It's something that owns you.