The art market is both large and old, extending across multiple countries with thousands of artworks being appraised, sold, and traded each year. You can find everything from classic painters and sculptors to the most modern digital exhibitions. All it takes is knowing where to look and how to conduct yourself.

To make the process of buying art less overwhelming, here are 5 tips to remember.

1. Do your research on art. Learn more about a particular style or artist that you like. Read up on the artist's biography, the materials used to create the artwork, and the stated vision of the artist himself. Consult with gallery owners and professional art appraisers about what makes a particular piece more skillfully produced than another.

2. Do not buy art solely as an investment. While art can be a good investment, whether it goes up in value or not isn't guaranteed. It's ultimately better to build your art collection around what you like rather than you think might be popular in a few years.

3. Buy from a reputable dealer. Because scams and fake paintings are such a major problem in the art market, it helps to know that your source is well-regarded and secure. Looking up art dealers in respected publications and appraisal websites is one way to verify both their collections and their salesmanship. It's also possible to get good artwork directly from artists and dealers online, but you'll need to find a way of making sure both their work and their sales pitch are genuine. It's highly unlikely, for example, that you'll find a rare Jackson Pollock painting sitting on eBay.

4. Consider where you'll display your new art. It's a common occurrence when an art lover gets home with their new purchase, only to discover that they don't have the space for it. You should consider not only the proportions and weight of your new artwork, but also where it would look best in your home. In the kitchen, it's energizing, while in the office, it's inspirational. The same piece could look romantic in the bedroom or inviting in the living room or entrance of your home.

5. Buy what you like the most. Over any other criteria, this is the one measurement of whether or not you'll buy a work of art for sale. Consider what appeals to you the most, like a particular style or artistic period. Does this work you're looking at really "speak" to you? Trust your instincts when you're browsing through an art collection for something you like. Even if you can't put it into words, you'll know when you'll like something. All that remains to figure out the price and how you'll bring it home.

Image by Olof Werngren on Flickr