DEFINITIONS AND EXAMPLES

^{Original Seascape Painting By Donna Ludwig Peterson} 

Original Art Work;  When it is stated that a piece of art is "Original" it is the actual work the artist did.  The work was the original creation of the art  by the artist (not a copy).  Several forms of art are called "Original" when they are in fact a print form such as lithographs.  A lithograph is printed from multiple master plates of metal or stone.  Each color usually requires a separate plate.  The application of the inks, or paints to the plates is done by hand and the registration (Placing or aligning the art on the plates for pressing is never exact), therefore no two come out alike and are referred to as "Originals." (See The Making Of Stone Lithographs!) 

Artist Proof;  When a print of an original art work is to be made the printer will set up the masters for printing.  When the printer is satisfied that the image he is getting is as good a print as can be achieved they will print the proof page for the artist to approve or disapprove.  When the artist approves the printing of the limited edition run the original proof page is called an "Artist Proof."  It is possible for there to be several "Artists Proofs" especially when it is a smaller print and multiple prints are done on a single page and then cut.  So when you get print number 1 of say 500, you may not actually have the first print ever made of the original.  This is why some collectors especially collect only "Artist Proofs."  If you like the art work the actual number of the print is really unimportant.  It is only important that you enjoy the art.  

Limited Edition Print;  This is a print made from the original, and is limited in the total number in the set to increase value to the buyer.  It allows you to know that what you pay for the print will not diminish buy the market simply being saturated with the piece you bought.

Un-matted Prints;  An print is often sold un-matted.  This is for several reasons.  First it makes it easy to ship.  It can be rolled into a special shipping tube to protect it.  Second, many people would like to select the matting and the frames themselves.  In such a case you are not paying for matting that will be discarded when you frame the picture.  If OUR WEB SITE does not signify that unframed prints are Matted when purchased, they are not and will likely arrive in a shipping tube.

Matted;  When prints are framed they will typically be accented with some kind of matting.  The matting is a stiff cardboard often colored.  It may be white with a second or third mats of any color placed in a grouping to ad accent.  A matted print is ready to be placed directly into the frame.  Most prints are framed under glass.

Remark; This is actually spelled "Remarq" and signifies a print that also has some type of original art also on the piece, typically on the matt.  This can be as simple as a small pencil drawing all the way up to bringing some of the painting out onto the matt.  Not all prints in a series will be remarked and it does cost extra, or on occasion the artist will do it for a special customer or friend as a gesture of there appreciation for the collector.

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