Printmaking in small editions is a lower price-point than one of a kind paintings, so little prints are often the first original art a budding collector will buy.
I’m always thrilled to be part of another art-lover’s emergence into the exciting first chapter of lining the nest with beautiful, original art. I know the thrill of finding something you really just have to display in your home.
Making Small Prints
Exhibiting small prints (and showing some of the plates and process) also increases the possibility of sparking a little interest in printmaking.
If you’ve perused this blog over the years, you know I’m an enthused Try-It! evangelist of anything related to printmaking.
Its incredibly satisfying to return to an art festival, and find someone excited to tell you that last year’s festival inspired them to take a printmaking workshop, and now they’re making prints and sharing methods with their friends and family.
Hilary Paynter, Wood Engraver
This is a beautiful video about Hilary Paynter and her process for Wood Engraving.
Listen to her thoughts on process, and her approach to sketching a design loose and unfinished, so she can work out the challenges while she carves. Her art-making methods are brave and inspiring. Have a look….
Hilary Paynter – Wood Engraving from Alan Fentiman on Vimeo.
What are you working on this week? Share some details and a link in the comments.
Thanks for stopping by today, and I’ll see you in the next post!
Belinda
Art Quote
You can’t trust your talent. I have taught school for a very long time, and I never met a student who was untalented. Talent is as common as house dust and kudzu vine in Alabama and just about as valuable as teats on a boar. Nothing is as valuable as the habit of work, and work must become a habit. Or, as Blake said “Execution is the chariot of genius.”
Master Printmaker, Barry Moser
Hi Belinda, I always love your art but wanted to ask: What paper do you use for your hand coloured lino prints? WC paper or printing paper, and does it make a difference? Keep up the great art! Many thanks Peter
Hi Peter, I use printmaking paper, since (so far) the watercolor paper I’ve tried hasn’t worked for getting a clean print. If I know I’m going to paint a print for sure, my favorite printmaking paper is Arches Cover in bright white. Give that a try and tell me what you think! Thanks for the encouragement. 🙂
Enjoyed Hilary’s video thanks for sharing, break a leg this weekend!
Thanks for the visit, Kim! I’m glad you liked the video. Happy painting, my friend!
Belinda, All best with your upcoming shows. When things are quieter for you would you perhaps consider posting a short tutorial on matting and framing?
Hi Louise, Thanks for the good wishes. ANd sure, Id be happy to do a tutorial on matting & framing. Tell me which parts of the process you want to learn about. 🙂
For me, the basics would be great. Learning how to hinge the print and what kind of tape to use would be helpful. Do you plan ahead so your small art pieces fit standard-size frames (and mats)? Do you cut your own mats or use purchased? Have you had success with a simple type of presentation that perhaps doesn’t require glass? Such as adhering a small print to a wood or canvas panel? I use the Akua inks, too, and love them but they don’t ever completely “set”. If I were to rub my finger over a completely dry print I can often still lift up a tiny smudge of colour. For small prints, it would be nice sometimes to get away from using glass.
Thanks in advance. You make the best tutorials! Cheers, Louise
Thanks for the compliments and the specifics, Louise! I’m taking notes! 🙂
Hi Belinda I have been watching your Art demos for a long time, and enjoy everyone, I to am a watercolorist & printmaker, I have a question when framing your small prints for a show what price do you charge for them I live in western Canada I know prices will be some what different but a general Idea would help.
love your work.
Hi Margaret, Thanks for your visit and your compliments. All the prices for my work are posted in my Esty shop, so have a look there to get a ball park. But I also think its a good idea to research. Pricing prints has a lot of wiggle room because many factors are included in the calculations: What is your hourly rate? What size is the edition? Is there additional media applied to the print? Is it framed? What is the size? What was the cost of your materials? There are hundreds of discussions online with all sorts of formulas to try out there, so check those essays out, and make yourself a chart. It will take all the guesswork out of the process. 🙂