>> Attending auctions helps to understand the auction process but the more knowledge one has before the sale the better
>> Auction houses don't lie about provenance but they may omit information
>> Researching the market using search engines such as Artprice or Artnet is a good idea
>> The fact that a painting has not been seen on the market for a long time may increase its value
>> Socio-political changes influence the popularity of works. The rise of feminism drew attention to female artists and their art has generally risen in value
>> There could be a leap in the value of an artist's work if there is suddenly a collector who wants all of his or her works
>> Journalistic interest in an artist can influence his or her success. Walter Sickert came into the limelight thanks to an exhibition at The Tate but also due to journalistic interest: writer Patricia Cornwell claimed that Sickert was actually Jack The Ripper in a book titled Portrait of a Killer.
>> Good quality art wins out and you get to know the difference between good and bad art by viewing it regularly.