Aquatint
An etching
technique in which granulated resin or other substance is
applied to a metal plate, heated, and etched with acid. The
resulting pitted surface yields a board range of tonal values
that often resemble a watercolor or wash drawing.
These
reproductions are categorized as originals or original
graphics.
Artist
Proof or A/P
Common practice is
that 10 to 15 percent of an edition is reserved for the
artist. In addition to the regular numbered edition, the
artist usually selects a specified number of inventory for
either his or her own uses, for a museum, or as the artist
chooses. These proofs may be designated as artist’s proofs
(AP, or EP in French and PA in Spanish) Print marking example;
A/P 1/100 is the first print of an edition of 100 Artist Proof
impressions. By art market standards Artist Proofs usually
rank higher in value to S/N's of an edition.
All prints are
accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
Certificate
of Authenticity
A document issued with
signed and numbered reproductions, or limited edition prints, with the print publisher information,
title of the image, size of the image, reproduction media or
method, and number of the prints in the edition. Certificate
may contain a statement about the work from the artist.
Original works
do not require a certificate of authenticity.
Collograph
An intaglio print made
from a plate of board on which three-dimensional objects have
been attached as in a collage.
These
reproductions are categorized as originals or original
graphics.
Drypoint
An engraving technique
in which a design is scratched into a copper plate with a
sharp instrument. The rough edge of metal created by the tool
produces a soft, velvety line.
These
reproductions are categorized as originals or original
graphics.
Engraving
An intaglio technique
in which design is incised into a copper plate with a cutting
tool called burin.
These
reproductions are categorized as originals or original
graphics.
Etching
A sharp needle is used
to draw a design on a metal plate that has been coated with an
acid-resistant substance (ground). The plate is then put into
an acid bath, and the exposed parts are etched (eaten away),
producing sunken lines. In printing, the ink settles in the
sunken areas and the plate is wiped clean. After this process,
the plate is covered with damp paper and passed through a
roller press, forcing the paper in the sunken area to receive
the ink.
These reproductions are categorized as originals or original
graphics.
Giclee or
Digital Print
A fine art print that
has become more precise with the advent of the revolutionary
printing process Giclee (ghee-clay) a French term meaning
"spray of ink." In the Giclee process, a fine stream of ink
(more than four millions droplets per second) is sprayed onto
archival art paper or canvas. Each piece of paper or canvas is
carefully hand mounted onto a drum which rotates during
printing. Exact calculation of hue, value and density direct
the ink from four nozzles. This produces a combination of 512
chromatic changes (with over three million colors possible) of
highly saturated, non-toxic water-based ink. Since no screens
are used in Giclee printing, the prints have a higher
resolution than lithographs and the dynamic color range is
greater than serigraphs.
Hors de
Commerce or H/C
Hors de Commerce (Not
for trade) traditionally were the graphics pulled with the
regular edition but marked by the artist for business use
only. These graphics were used for entering shows, exhibits,
samples, etc. Today, however, since people began to acquire
and collect them, these graphics now generally find their way
to the market place through regular channels and are sold.
Print marking example; H/C 1/10
Limited
Edition Prints or L/E
A pre-determined
number of identical prints of an image are produced from a
master plate, stone, or other method, after which no more
impressions are allowed. The edition size is the sum of all
numbered pieces and proofs. The prints are then signed by the
artist, sometimes titled, and sequentially numbered showing
both the print's number and the total edition size. Each print
is referred to as a "limited edition print". The original
print plates are typically destroyed after the production of
the reproduction is completed.
Linocut
A relief print made
from a sheet of linoleum into which a design has been cut with
knives or burins. Similar to woodcut, The linoleum allows a
greater variety and range of effects because it can be worked
more easily.
These
reproductions are categorized as originals or original
graphics.
Lithograph
A print produced by a
printing process in which the artist draws, usually with a
greasy crayon, directly on a flat stone or specially prepared
metal plate (sheet zinc or aluminum). The stone or plate are
treated to retain ink while the non-image areas are treated to
repel ink.
Medium
Medium is the material
or technical means of artistic expression. Types include
oils, watercolors, acrylics, ink, pencil and charcoal, etc.
Reproduction medium types include lithography, offset
lithography, silkscreen, serigraphy and giclee. Mixed media
is the use of two or more materials and/or reproduction means.
Mezzotint
An engraving technique
in which a metal plate is first roughened so that it will
produce a dark tone. The design is then worked into the plate
from dark to light by scraping down the roughened areas to
produce the design.
These
reproductions are categorized as originals or original
graphics.
Monotype or
Monoprint
A technique in which a
drawing is made with ink on a smooth surface such as glass or
metal and then printed onto paper by hand or with a press.
Usually only a single print is produced, although a "ghost
image" (a second strike from the same inked plate) may be
produced.
These
reproductions are categorized as originals or original
graphics.
Mono-Original
An original image of
any medium that is recreated in likeness more then once.
These
reproductions are categorized as originals or original
graphics.
Offset
Lithograph
A mechanical process
used to photographically reproduce an image. The newest printing
method in the industry is computerized or electronic printing.
This process uses a computer, typesetting and page-design
software and optical scanners to aid in reproduction. The
majority of reproductions are created using this process.
Original Art
An artists takes a vision or original concept and renders
this concept onto canvas, paper, wood, cloth, metal,
cardboard or any other surface. These are unique,
one-of-a-kind works of art. The conceptions, expressions and
renderings are distinctly and directly the artist's own
creative efforts and energy.
Originals do not require a certificate of authenticity to be
authentic.
Original
Graphics
An artist working in a
printmaking medium, such as etching creates a predetermined
number of images. Lithography and serigraphy. Original
graphics are produced on a master plate, stone, or screen one
at a time using a graphic press. These reproductions are
categorized as originals or original graphics.
Printers
Proof or P/P
Common practice by
many printers is that a small number of impressions are made
for review by the artist or publisher for approval at the time
of printing. The amount of proof vary depending on
reproduction method used. Offset lithographs usually have a
larger amounts as they are produced rather quickly through an
offset press. These proofs are often marketed and are
identical impressions to the edition in most instances. Print
marking example; P/P 1/100 is the first print of an edition of
100 Printers Proof impressions. By art market standards
Printers Proofs usually rank higher in value to S/N's or A/P's
of an edition.
All prints are
accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
Rag Paper
One hundred percent
rag paper are constructed of cotton fibers. Traditionally
considered museum quality. Watercolor paper and most
printmaking papers are examples of archival rag paper.
Remarque or
RE or rem
A current practice by
some artist is the addition of a small personalized drawing
near his penciled signature in the margin of the graphic. The
simple sketch or drawing is usually rendered in pencil, but
can be rendered in color. A print containing one of these hand
embellishments or drawings is called a Remarque. Print marking
example; RE "1/25" is the first print of an edition of 25
Remarques. By art market standards Remarques usually rank
higher in value to S/N's, A/P's, and P/P's of an edition.
All
prints are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
Serigraph
or Silkscreen
The artist prepares a
tightly stretched screen, usually of silk, and blocks out
areas not to be printed by filling the mesh on the screen with
a varnish-link substance. Paper is placed under the screen,
and ink is forced through the still-open mesh onto the paper
by means of a squeegee. A print made by this process involves
the use of stencils. Paint is applied to a fabric screen,
penetrating areas not blocked by a stencil. Several stencils
are used to produce a multicolored print. As a commercial
medium, silk-screen printing has been used by many
contemporary artists such as William Tolliver. Serigraphs are
usually hand pulled, while Silkscreens utilize the latest
automated printing technologies.
All prints are
accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
Signed and
Numbered or S/N
Prints that are
authenticated with the artists signature, the total number of
impressions in the edition, and the order in which impression
is signed. The artist pencils in his signature and a number on
the bottom of the print. Pencil is usually used on
reproductions because it does not effect paper over time. The
number appears as a fraction. Numbering example; L/E 5/1500,
indicates the fifth print of a limited edition of 1500
impressions. All prints are accompanied by a certificate of
authenticity.
Sold Out or
Sold
When a limited edition is no
longer available it is termed Sold Out. When an image sells
out it usually will begin to appreciate in value depending
upon resale or trade in the secondary market. When an original
is Sold it is listed in the collection of its owner. Our site
will designate a flashing red dot to denote Sold Out or Sold.
In the art market a red dot on a piece symbolizes that it has
been sold.
Woodcut or
Wood Engraving
A relief technique in which a design is cut with knives,
gouges, or chisels into planks of wood parallel to the wood
grain. Wood Engraving is a relief technique in which a design
is cut with burins, gouges, or chisels into the end grain of a
hard wood block.
These
reproductions are categorized as originals or original
graphics.
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