- 1). Develop an "eye" for art by doing your homework first. Beginning or refresher courses on art history may include a study of different genres of art and artists, as well as some tips on how to tell the real thing from a fake.
- 2). Research price guides and prior sales indexes. Though there is no definitive Blue Book or standard model on how to price, a proper look using available resources such as Falk's or the Artprice Market online (see Resources below), should give you a good starting place.
- 3). Learn to understand the QCM principles: Quality, Condition and Market. Quality is based on a paintings aesthetic (sight) value, condition is based mostly on a professional art dealer's assessment, and market depends on who is in the market and what the painting is worth to them. Because no valuation is set in stone, it all depends on what you and the selling or buying entity thinks it is worth.
- 4). Consult with a professional curator or art historian. The best way to learn to detect forgeries is to gather up some hints and tips from authenticity experts. This knowledge is best obtained by attending art shows and auctions and asking questions.
- 5). Learn to tell an amateur painter from a professional. Amateurs are more likely to use standard size canvas, paint more in the abstract, use photos as a reference rather than real life images and also to choose water-soluble types of oil paints rather than paint that needs to be cleaned up with turpentine.
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