Understanding fine art

The original work of art is the actual one-of-a-kind hand-drawn or painted work by the artist, and is the most valuable of art investments.

When there is a predetermined number of fine art prints published, usually individually numbered and signed by the artist.

When there is not a predetermined number of prints published, and upon the sellout of the first printing, additional prints may be published at the artist's discretion.

Similar to a limited edition, but the prints may be remarqued, have an important signature, or are specifically used for a special event — for example, to establish a scholarship or endowment. Each print designated as a special edition is signed and numbered by the artist with an “SE” written before the edition number.

As fine art prints are being created, the artist or printing specialist will pull individual prints from the press sporadically during the printing run and compare them to the original work of art. This is to make sure the prints accurately represent the quality of the original.

Each print designated as an artist's proof is then signed and individually numbered by the artist with an “AP” written before the edition number.

Printer's proofs are similar to artist's proofs. The difference is that artist's proofs are designated during the printing run, while printer's proofs are created while setting up the initial printing run.

Printer's proofs are used to establish the color, detail and quality in relation to the original work of art. They are also referred to as the printer's “set ups” and sometimes have inconsistent quality. On rare occasions, printer's proofs may be released if they pass the artist's inspection for quality. Each is then inspected, signed and numbered by the artist with a “PP” written before the edition number.

An artist may inscribe a personalization to an individual on a print. This increases the personal value of the print to that person or as a family heirloom; however, the resale value of the print can be diminished.

An optional way to personalize a print without affecting its resale value is to add a personalized brass plate to the framing of the print.

A remarqued print has a small original drawing or painting created on it by the artist. A small quantity of remarqued prints may be issued within an edition, or designated as a special edition print.

Fine art prints are reproductions from the original drawing or painting. They are printed on acid-free archival quality paper with fade-resistant inks. High quality acid-free framing is highly recommended. With proper care, a fine art print will last for generations.

Fine art prints can be created from a variety of printing processes, such as lithographs, giclées, serigraphs, etchings and engravings.

A poster may also be created from the lithographic printing process, but the image is usually accompanied with text and/or graphics. Posters generally are lower quality than fine art prints.

First, color separations are reproduced from the original piece of art. Every color is broken down into a mixture of — generally, but not limited to — four basic colors: cyan, yellow, magenta and black. Color separations are a dissection of the artwork into those four colors, similar to the way a television displays color, consisting of the overlaying of minuscule multicolored dots.

The color separations are burned onto metal plates, and the plates are then attached to large rollers on a printing press. Printing presses usually require entire warehouse rooms. As paper is pulled through the rollers, the image is reconstructed onto the paper. The overlaying dots of color are so small that they can only be seen with a very strong magnifying glass.

A hand-pulled serigraph, also known as a silkscreen, is created similarly to applying graphics on t-shirts. Designs for each separate color are made on individual silk mesh screens. One at a time, each color of ink is pushed through its screen onto the paper — resulting in a complete image.

Giclée is a French word meaning “spraying of ink.” The image of the artwork is taken with a high-resolution camera and printed by a special ink jet printer. True colors are sprayed directly on the paper, usually either watercolor paper or canvas. The result is a high quality reproduction that is sometimes difficult to distinguish from the original.

Giclée reproductions on canvas are mounted on a backing board or stretched across wooden stretcher bars, and then can be framed without glass, just like original paintings on canvas.

Paint made by mixing ground pigment with oil — usually linseed oil — as a binder.

A type of paint where the pigment is suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion. Acrylics are a popular medium with artists thanks to their fast drying time, bold colors and flexibility when mixed with water.

A closely woven cloth that acts as a support for paintings.

Paper or canvas treated to neutralize its natural acidity in order to protect fine art and photographic prints from discoloration and deterioration.

Arrangement or design of elements of an artwork to achieve balance, contrast, rhythm, emphasis and unity, to make an effective expression of an artist's idea. The term also refers generally to any work of art.

A distinctive feature of an object or scene which can be seen most clearly close up. Also, a small part of a work of art, enlarged to show a close-up of its features.

Any art in which the goal is to portray forms in the natural world in a highly representational manner. Specifically, an art style of the mid-19th century which fostered the idea that everyday people and events are worthy subjects for important art.