ART. CONTEXT. CLARITY.
Personal guidance for the art you own,
the pieces you seek, and the decisions ahead.
SIMCOE COUNTY & THE GREATER TORONTO AREA
A PERSONAL APPROACH
Whether you’ve inherited a painting, are considering a sale, or want to find a piece you’ll live with for years, knowing where to begin can make all the difference. Britnell Art Consulting helps you understand your options and take the next step with clarity.
HOW I CAN HELP
Explore an artwork’s background and build a clearer picture of what is known—and what still needs investigation.
Consider the right route for your artwork, with practical support in preparing an enquiry and comparing potential selling options.
Find art that reflects your interests, with another set of experienced eyes on the details before you commit.
Research can identify useful evidence and unanswered questions; it does not guarantee an attribution or establish authenticity. Formal authentication and certified appraisals are separate specialist services.
FOR EXECUTORS & FAMILIES
You don’t need to know the artist
to start the conversation.
An inherited collection often comes with questions: What do we have? Which paperwork matters? Where should we sell? We can begin with a single artwork or discuss a group of pieces, then agree on a manageable scope.
Gather what you havePhotographs, labels, receipts and any family history.
Make sense of the detailsIdentify promising research paths and gaps in the record.
Consider the optionsDiscuss further research, keeping a work, or approaching a suitable selling venue.
MEET ADAM BRITNELL
YEARS BUYING & SELLING
ART & COLLECTIBLES
I’m Adam Britnell. My approach draws on 25 years buying and selling art and collectibles, with a particular appreciation for the research, context and practical decisions that surround each piece.
I work with private collectors and families handling estates in Simcoe County and the Greater Toronto Area. You’ll deal directly with me, starting with a conversation about your artwork and what you want to achieve.
Tell me about your art ↗WORKING TOGETHER
Email a little about your artwork or what you’re looking for. There’s no need for a complete history to begin.
We’ll discuss your priorities, the proposed work and fees before any paid consulting begins.
Receive research findings or practical recommendations suited to the scope we agree.
CLEAR FEES, AGREED IN ADVANCE
Start with a complimentary 15-minute introductory call. We’ll discuss your artwork, your goals and which service is the best fit before any paid work begins.
FLEXIBLE GUIDANCE
$125 / hour
For research, buying advice and sourcing. Detailed provenance and collection projects are estimated in writing, with an agreed spending cap.
ONE ARTWORK
$250
Review of your supplied photographs and documents, up to two hours of work, and brief written findings with suggested next steps.
PLANNING A SALE
$375
Review of one artwork and suitable auction options, with up to three hours of consulting and research to help plan your approach.
IN-PERSON GUIDANCE
$250 / up to 90 minutes
A visit to discuss your artwork and priorities. Travel is quoted separately before booking; GTA visits are quoted according to location.
All fees are in Canadian dollars. Applicable taxes and agreed third-party expenses are additional. Scope and fees are confirmed before work begins; extra work requires your approval.
Research fees cover time and findings, including unresolved questions. Research does not guarantee identification, attribution or authentication. Formal appraisals and authentication are separate specialist services. Auction-house fees are separate; any referral compensation will be disclosed.
A FEW COMMON QUESTIONS
Yes. You can start with one work, an inherited group, or a specific piece you’re considering buying. We’ll discuss whether the enquiry is a fit before agreeing on any work.
A photograph of the front and back, approximate dimensions, close-ups of signatures or labels, and a short note about your goal are helpful. Send only documents you’re comfortable sharing; you can redact personal information.
Research and provenance review can help document evidence, but they do not constitute formal authentication. Where appropriate, we can discuss seeking an artist’s recognized authority or another relevant specialist.
Consulting and research are $125 CAD per hour. Fixed packages include a $250 preliminary artwork review, a $375 selling strategy review, and a $250 local home consultation of up to 90 minutes, with travel quoted separately. We agree on the scope and fees before starting; additional work requires your approval. Applicable taxes and agreed third-party costs are extra.
LET’S START WITH A CONVERSATION
Buying, selling, or simply understanding what you have—
tell me a little about your next step.
Serving Simcoe County & the Greater Toronto Area