How to Buy Original Oil Paintings in Canada — and Why It Matters.
By Elizabeth Elkin | True Art Gallery
There's a moment that every art lover knows — standing in front of a painting and feeling something shift. The colours, the texture, the way light seems to live inside the brushstrokes. That moment doesn't happen with a print. It happens with an original.
If you've been thinking about buying original oil paintings in Canada, this guide is for you. Whether you're decorating a new home, searching for a meaningful gift, or beginning a collection, I want to walk you through what to look for, what to expect, and how to find art that will genuinely move you — for a lifetime.
Why Original Oil Paintings Hold Their Value
When you buy an original oil painting, you're not just buying wall décor. You're acquiring a one-of-a-kind object that no one else in the world owns. Unlike prints or reproductions, original paintings:
- Appreciate in value over time, particularly works by established Canadian artists
- Carry the physical mark of the artist's hand — real texture, real brushwork, real presence
- Come with provenance, meaning a documented history of ownership that matters if you ever resell
- Connect you to a living creative practice and the story behind the work
For collectors at any level, originals are simply in a different category.
What to Look for When Buying Canadian Art Online
Buying art online can feel daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Here's what I always tell first-time buyers:
1. Look at the painting in different contexts A good artist will photograph their work in natural light and show detail shots of the texture and brushwork. If you can only see one flat image, ask for more.
2. Read about the artist's process Understanding how and why a painting was made deepens your connection to it. An abstract expressionist painting created in response to a Canadian autumn landscape tells a very different story than a decorative piece.
3. Ask about the medium and support Oil on canvas, oil on linen, oil on board — these all behave differently over time. Oil on quality linen canvas, properly primed and varnished, can last hundreds of years.
4. Check the return policy Reputable independent artists and galleries offer some form of satisfaction guarantee. If a seller offers no recourse at all, proceed carefully.
5. Trust your instincts The best art collectors I know buy with their gut first, and their head second. If a painting stops you in your tracks, that's not nothing.
Buy Original Art Directly from a Canadian Artist
When you buy directly from me at trueart.ca, you're buying from the artist. No gallery markup. No middleman. You get:
- A certificate of authenticity with every original painting
- Direct communication with me about the work
- Shipping across Canada and internationally
- The knowledge that your purchase directly supports an independent Canadian artist
If you have questions about a specific painting, shipping to your city, or anything else, I'm always happy to hear from you. Get in touch here
Elizabeth Elkin is a Canadian fine art painter working in oil on canvas. Her work spans abstract expressionism, landscape, floral, and cityscape painting. Original works are available for purchase at trueart.ca