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 a limited edition print, an artist proof and a regular print?
Normally limited edition prints are printed in editions of 100, 250, or other number. These are usually personally numbered and signed by the artist shortly after the printing. In an edition say of 250 an extra 10-20% are printed as Artists proofs. These prints are the same as the edition of 250. Usually this lower lower of prints, and are split between publisher prints and artists proofs. Example; an artist proof is signed AP 1/20 and the rest of the edition is signed 1/250.
When artists 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 start numbering 1 through 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.
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 were Mort’s favorite favorite brushes?
Mort’s favorite brushes were 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 works, Mort liked the $10 assortment package of "Art Loft' Brushes at Michaels
Mort started larger paintings with a 2" Mongoose Bristol Flat Brush and then used a 2" Lowe Cornell Flat glaze brush
What papers and surfaces did Mort use for watercolor painting?
Mort used Arches 140# cold press for most of his small paintings and 300# for full sheets. Mort also used different acid free illustration boards depending on the painting.
What are the initials that Mort sometimes used following his 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 )