I have been an artist for most of my life (about 70 years). If you don’t sign your art, tell us about that too. He had overheard people admiring it and giving credit to another artist for that sculpture. And if not, besides the number of the edition, is there any other information I should write on the print? But if you feel uncomfortable, you certainly don't have to, I just hope it's not guilt or shame holding you back from owning your amazing efforts towards improving your art skills. I’ve seen a lot of articles out there that give you rules about whether or not you should sign your art. However, it is a pretty common practice for portrait photographers to put a small digital signature on their prints at about 30% opacity in the bottom corner. I was surprised when I received the drawings and they have her business name on them like a signature. I have tried archival pens but I get very frustrated with them. Some people are annoyed by this while others feel a lot of pressure that every work they create then has to be perfect because they’re putting their name to it and because it might be in the history books (the secret wish, anyway!). I have always signed any project that I did with a date and I also take a picture. If you're already known professionally by a maiden name, it would be easier to keep it, because changing your name will require you to remarket yourself. It sounds like a difficult conversation coming your way. But first, here are a few reasons why artists DO sign their work. <3 I'm so glad you are enjoying art! We can’t stop theft. Just commenting here because some people have asked about signature. So glad to have your contributions too MJ. I want to start selling limited edition prints of my work. Thanks for being here! What kinds of prints should I sign? Thanks for reading/watching! Corel Painter-Wacom Tablet Only started after retired senior art therapy started me with gift books.in our assisted living we started a morning hour of working together . The customization options are virtually endless — personalize your art print down to every detail, from fonts and colors to frames and, of course, photos. We can stop the idea of theft from controlling our decisions as creatives. What do you all think? Choose from a range of stylish art prints, including classic framed designs, collages, metallic options, simple portraits, and more. https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/59398?v=6, https://theabundantartist.com/perfect-platform-sell-art/, https://www.artiststrong.com/digital-theft-and-art/, How to Draw Accurately from Photo Reference, How to create original art using photo references. Adjust the resolution to 300 dpi for fine art prints. (2) There is nothing wrong with copying or referencing other artists as you practice and learn techniques. I have a question about signing open edition prints made from original art work. Thanks for sharing Eric! Would that be okay considering it’s a male name and I’m female? It takes more time, but it will be reusable for your future art. I suppose one answer would have been to plan every painting right from the start with my signature integrated into the compositions, but that’s always felt odd to me, and in the end, signing a painting on the back was much easier. I like the idea of putting info on back too. For a little more info on the history of artist signatures (and a few more reasons NOT to sign you art) read Carrie Brummer’s post on signing your art here. Artwork that’s signed by the artist on the front is worth more than unsigned prints. The first 50 years of my life it was my maiden name, PERIOD. level 1. cheeritapparel. I do sign the front of the painting with my full name in a location that that will “hide” it and in a colour maybe two shades darker or lighter than the painting. If not fix it then sign it. I do not know why I do it but I feel I should. by Carrie | Art Marketing, Build Your Skill, Develop Your Unique Artist Voice | 166 comments. A signature looks like peanuts one could say! I own a boutique and hold art exhibits there. They were paid projects, meaning she drew them specifically for my business. Some artists feel selling giclee prints of their original artwork, their work’s value diminishes. I also put my fingerprint into the wet glaze over the collaged bits. If someone else has your name or a similar one and has connected it to content you do not like, I suggest rebranding your art and name in a way that would let people complete a different google search. <3, I sign back of painting then add identifying code for date then I emboss the painting with name. I think you should do exactly what feels right to you as an artist. Otherwise, you can make a professional looking signature by writing it on paper and scanning it onto the computer. , I like the new signature logos you can get for photography, I work with resin so signature goes in back Thanks so much for sharing . If someone sees your artwork at a friend’s home and they’re like, “Oh, who’s Carrie?” for example, it could start a dialog that gets you a new collector. Watermarks are easy to create using a translucent font in your Paintbrush program if you use Windows and or any other basic paint program that is out there. So. Thanks for sharing your wonderful story. Our art prints and reproductions are true masterpieces that will last for decades. The idea is not to draw any attention away from the picture. I have signed my art work since third grade. I’m glad the conversations here have helped Dee. All it took was a little line work with a paint pen to make it pop! So, I’ve come to the decision to sign my work on the back and I will now date it when sold, i also do not know whether or not i should name it…i don’t want to make the customer have to agree with the name I’ve chosen, better to leave it alone and let the customer “name it, from their vision” idk if that’s a good idea or not? Recently an artist stated in her bio that her Grandfather is artist, Pasquale DeMariano and that she was signing his name to her work in his honor. However, I came up with this as a child and have used it for more than fifty years so, no turning back now. A pencil is recommended for matte prints. Most doll houses were auctioned of to help the organization I worked for at the time and some were given away to children in foster care. DPI has nothing to do with your file. O sign my work on the front as discreetly as possible.      Copyright © 2016 Artist Strong. That being said, I want you to break those rules if they don’t fit for you. To repeat: Sign your name so anyone can read it. I use my thumbprint and a <3 for my signature. I don’t think we should have to do that either unless we really want to. I usually paste an info slip on the back containing my contact info, my bee lily logo or colorful art logo, and information about the painting. I would recommend that if you are branding or trying to promote and sell your art that you have a consistent signature. I work in mixed media and sometimes I use many layers so have found signing with paint very difficult and also feel pressure to do so. I also sign the back along with a sticker of a non profit organization that gets my donation everytime a piece sells. We'll send you articles & tutorials right as we publish them, so you never miss a post! New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. To summarize, rule number one is to always sign your art. I am a realist and have enjoyed both books. But I got my answer now, thanks to you! Be Creatively Courageous: share in the comments below do you sign your art and if you do, do you have a unique way that you do that? Have been doing that since I was a little girl and it just kind of stuck. 01/10 like this? Hi Karen. Choosing Oils or Acrylics At least, not on the front. I now will sign my drawings and date them for my grandchildren Signing my childhood nickname Toots. I can’t say that I do yet and I need to be better at it and take my own advice. If your proud of your art Sign it!! This is a great question. Hi Mary! Loved it and started drawing on my own with the help of a book drawing and painting animals by Bill Tilton and basic drawing by Walter Foster. Yes I did read it and was encouraged by what was written . I will also sign my name on the back, the year, and the title directly on the surface. You can add year, or not. I sign on the bottom right corner. I always add a line of poetry or scripture on the bottom. What about Rachel Fitz art for example? And you can sign ANYWAY you want to. Hal I think it’s awesome your signature is part of your family lineage! I just do it, no matter it’s wrong or right or my works are gonna be so important some day or not. That being said, I want you to break those rules if they don’t fit for you. Date and any other info you care to pAin it for me.ut on the reverse so that I have the back story (pun intended) of the piece. It’s really smart to put all the details you mention on the back of framed work. I have also lost faith at the moment in believing that an art site will sell art, my passion is there and people see that, but it should not take me an eternity to get the imagery sold. Are there standards around this? But it just seems wrong. I probably should also let you know before we finish that the signature that I use to sign my prints is not my everyday signature. NOTE: You may also be interested in EE's step-by-step drawing guide for artists. Hello I sign the pieces I am happy with . 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