Frequently Asked Questions
What is a giclée?
In giclée printing, no screen or other mechanical devices are used and therefore there is no visible dot screen pattern. The image has all the tonalities and hues of the original painting. Giclée (pronounced Gee’clay) is a French term meaning to spray or squirt, which is how an inkjet printer works.
What is the difference between an artist proof and a regular print?
Normally in an edition say of 250 an extra 10-20% are printed as Artists proofs' they are the same just have a lower number of prints, are are split between the publisher and the artists. Example; an artist proof is signed AP 1/20 and the rest of the edition is signed 1/250.
When artist did etchings and signed them they would test the image by pulling a proof and it would be labeled artist proof 1 and this process would proceed until the artist was satisfied with the result and he or she would then star numbering 1 trough 20 or until the edition was finished. This was accepted as the way to number Litho prints in the 70's and use the artist proofs as a partial way to pay the artist who's print was published along with the royalties he received. It has carried on with Giclée prints now.
What is an Open Edition?
An open edition means the prints are not numbered or normally signed by the artists. As many are printed as can be sold for years.
What is a Watercolor?
According to The American Watercolor Society, a watercolor is any water-based media on paper, unvarnished, under glass . A Transparent Watercolor contains only transparent watercolors.
What are my favorite favorite brushes?
My favorite brushes are Lowe Cornell "Ultra Rounds" #1 Through #12 ( Like a sable but much cheaper and have a longer point. They are synthetic bristles. Also a 1" flat
And a 2" Flat #798 Glaze Brush And of smaller work I like the $10 assortment package of "Art Loft' Brushes at Michaels
I start my larger paintings with a 2" Mongoose Bristol Flat Brush and then use a 2" Lowe Cornell Flat glaze brush
What papers and surfaces do I use for watercolor painting?
I use Arches 140# cold press for most of my small paintings and 300# for full sheets. I also use different acid free illustration boards depending on the painting I am doing.
What are the initials that I sometimes use following my signature on an original painting?
They represent the different Art Societies I belong to as a signature member.
SOAA • Society Of Animal Artists ( Master Signature Member )
AWS • American Watercolor Society ( Signature Member )
NWS • National Watercolor Society ( Signature Member )
ASMA • American Society Of Marine Artists ( Signature member )
FWS • Florida Watercolor Society ( signature Member )