Selecting a Matte
Choose a color that complements a tone within the art without overpowering it. Use acid-free matting and backing for limited editions. A 2–2.5 inch matte suits most prints; 3–4 inches or layered mattes create more drama.
Education
Importance of Art Education
E&S Gallery, Inc. believes in the benefits of art education, and it starts with knowing the basic terminology.
Collector's Reference
The Language of Fine Art
- Artist Proof Prints (A/P)
- Common practice is that 10 to 15 percent of an edition is reserved for the artist. These proofs are identical to impressions in the edition in most instances. A/P “1/35” is the first print of an edition of 35 Artist Proof impressions.
- Acid Free
- The print contains no harmful acid or alkaline that may affect the life of the paper or quality of the image printed.
- Certificate of Authenticity
- A document issued with limited edition prints, including the publication date, image size, original medium, edition count, a statement from the artist, and confirmation that the plates have been or will be destroyed.
- Etching
- An image created on a metal plate using engraving tools and acid, producing a sunken line that receives ink. The plate and damp paper pass through a roller press, forcing the paper into the sunken area.
- Giclée or Digital Print
- A fine art print produced by the Giclée process—French for “spray of ink”—using millions of droplets on archival art paper or canvas to create saturated, water-based color, high resolution, and a broad dynamic range.
- Hors de Commerce (H/C)
- Literally “not for trade.” Traditionally pulled with the regular edition for business use, these graphics are now collected and sold through regular channels. Example: H/C 1/10.
- Limited Edition Prints (L/E)
- A fixed number of identical prints of an image, signed by the artist, sequentially numbered, and showing both the print number and total edition size.
- Lithograph
- A print produced by rendering the image on a flat sheet, metal plate, or stone, treated to retain ink while non-image areas repel it.
- Medium
- The material or technical means of artistic expression—oils, watercolors, acrylics, ink, pencil, charcoal—or techniques such as lithography, serigraphy, and Giclée. Mixed media uses two or more.
- Offset Print
- A mechanical process used to photographically reproduce an image.
- Open Edition
- The quantity of prints reproduced is unlimited; as long as demand exists, the image continues to be printed.
- Original
- The first version of a work, typically the painting from which prints are made—or a landmark work by an artist.
- Printers Proof (P/P)
- A small number of impressions made for the printer's review, identical to the edition. P/P “1/20” is the first of 20 Printers Proof impressions.
- Rag Paper
- 100% rag paper is constructed of cotton fibers and is traditionally considered museum quality—the standard for watercolor and most printmaking paper.
- Remarque (R/M)
- A small, personalized drawing an artist adds near their penciled signature in a graphic's margin. Remarques generally rank higher in value than plain signed-and-numbered prints.
- Serigraph
- A print made by the silk-screen process using stencils. Paint is applied to a fabric screen, and several stencils build a multicolored print. William Tolliver notably worked in this medium.
- Signed and Numbered
- Prints authenticated with the artist's signature, total edition size, and impression order. L/E “5/350” is the fifth print of a 350-piece edition.
- Sold Out
- When a limited edition is no longer available. Sold-out editions often appreciate on the secondary market; a red dot on a piece traditionally signals it has sold.
- Woodcut or Wood Engraving
- A relief technique where a design is cut into wood with knives, gouges, or chisels—parallel to the grain for woodcuts and into hardwood end grain for wood engraving.
The Art of Framing
Displaying Your Art
Choosing a Frame
Start with the work's mood and where it will hang. Sleek moulding feels contemporary; heavier, ornamented moulding suits a classic setting. The moulding's width should complement the artwork's scale.
Protective Framing
Never mark, fold, crop, or heat-mount a limited edition print. Every material touching it should be acid-free, and archival tape or products should attach the work.
Glass or No Glass?
Art prints, watercolor, and pastel should be under glass. Original oil and acrylic paintings on canvas should breathe without glass. Avoid direct sunlight and consider UV-protective glazing.
Proper Care for Your Investment
Protect Your Art
Storing Your Art
Roll unframed canvases, prints, and works on paper in acid-free or tissue paper and place them in a heavy-duty tube. Protect framed corners and use a sturdy corrugated box.
Cleaning Your Art
An occasional dusting with a feather duster or clean, dry cotton rag is enough. Never use household or liquid cleaning agents.
Hanging Your Art
Framed art can be heavy. Use wall anchors on drywall or hammer nails into studs for extra support.
Displaying Your Art
Hang art out of direct sunlight to reduce fading. If sunlight is unavoidable, ask your framer about UV-protective glass.