Frieze Art Fair 2014: A Beginner's Guide To Buying Art

Investing in art can seem pretty daunting, so we asked the Frieze team to offer their top tips on buying smart.

Victoria Siddall, director of Frieze Masters at the Frieze Art Fair, shares her top pointers for would-be collectors...

1. Look for a piece you love

'You should always look for a piece of art that you love. It could end up being a good investment, but that's notoriously hard to predict. If you see something you like at a fair and it's within your budget, then you should just buy it - if you don't, someone else will!'

2. Watch out for up-and-coming artists

'The first piece of art that I ever bought was a drawing by the British painter Hurvin Anderson. It was from his very first show in London and really affordable at the time. I still have it on my wall to this day.'

3. Check out prints

'Limited-edition prints are a good affordable starting point. An ideal way to begin is by looking at some of the editions from smaller public galleries and non-profit spaces, such as the Camden Arts Centre, Chisenhale Gallery, ICA, Serpentine Gallery, Studio Voltaire and the Whitechapel Gallery.'

4. Get advice

'It's worth getting specialist guidance. If you're planning to spend a lot of money, it's important to speak to an art advisor or a trusted gallery.'

5. Do your research

'Art fairs are a great place to find out which artists you like because there are so many all under one roof. At Frieze Art Fair and Frieze Masters there are around 1,500 artists showing.'

Frieze Art Fair is an international contemporary art fairs introducing and showcasing new and established artists and galleries from around the world. The Frieze Masters event runs alongside it.  15 - 18 October; Regent's Park, friezeartfair.com