| 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. |
| Certificate
of Authenticity (CoA) |
A
document issued with original,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. The CoA is intended to protect
the consumer by providing pertinent information regarding
the art.
|
| 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 L/E |
A
Limited Edition is defined as a high quality reproduction
of an original work of art that are numbered and signed
individually by the artist with the total number of the
reproduction given (5/100). Thus 5/100 indicates that the
example at hand is print #5 of 100 made.This number generally
does not include any artist proofs or any special editions.
Editions are generally numbered in Arabic (1/100) but may
also be annotated in Roman numerals (I/C) in Deluxe, European
or International editions.
|
| Mixed
Media |
A
print which is hand crafted by the artist using a number
of techniques as an original work, as opposed to a mechanical
or photographical reproduction, is entitled an original
mixed media. The design may be reproduced to create a 'multiple
original' piece, however each piece of work will have its
own variations.
|
| Original
|
Buying
an original means you have the only one. It is the actual
painting or work of art done by the artist.
The term (used here as an adjective) to define
an artwork as a unique, one-of-a-kind image or to describe
one of several media wherein the graphic is considered "original"
as it is the end result of the artist's work in that medium,
not a photo-mechanic reproduction of a previously executed
work.
|
| Open
Edition |
An
open edition print is printed on a lighter weight paper stock.
It is usually smaller in size than the limited edition, and
is also not signed, numbered, or personally inspected by the
artist. For these reasons, the open edition is less expensive
than a limited edition print. Open edition prints are ideal
for those who are interested in the ministry power of the
image rather than the collectibility of the piece. Open edition
prints are reprinted according to public demand and are ideal
for home, office, and church use. |
| Pencil
Signed |
Denotes
the hand signature of the artist, in pencil or ink. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Sketch
|
A
quick outline or drawing used to capture the basic elements
and structure of a situation often used as the basis for a
more detailed work. |
| 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. |
| Watercolor
or Watercolour |
Any
paint that uses water as a medium. Paintings done with this
medium are known as watercolors. An exception to this rule
is water miscible oil paints, which employ water as their
medium, but are actually oil paints. When made opaque with
white, watercolor is generally called gouache or bodycolor.
Tempera is another exception. Colors are usually applied and
spread with brushes, but other tools can also used. The most
common techniques for applying watercolor are called wet-on-dry
and wet-on-wet, along with the dry brush techniques dry-on-dry
and dry-on-wet. Colors can be removed while still wet, to
various degrees by blotting. Most watercolor painting is done
on paper, but other absorbent grounds can also be employed.
The papers most favored by those who paint with watercolor
is white, very thick, with high rag content, and has some
tooth. "Watercolor" is the American spelling. "Watercolour"
is the British spelling. |
| Print |
A
printed picture produced from a photographic negative |
| Signed
Only |
An
open edition print which is signed by the artist but not
numbered is "signed only."
|
