limited
edition
Our
preferred publishers employ only the finest processes,
materials and artistic direction to ensure the faithful
translation of original painting to limited edition.
Printmaking is in itself an art form, and the marriage
between the contemporary artist and the traditional
print-maker guarantees the faithful reproduction of
original oils, watercolours and pastels into editions
of superb quality.
Most
limited edition prints of today are produced either
by offset-lithography, silkscreen, or the giclée process. |
|
Lithography
This
printing technique uses a planographic process in which
prints are pulled on a special press from a flat stone
or metal surface. The surface has been chemically sensitised
so that ink sticks only to the design areas, and is
repelled by the non-image areas. The early history
of lithography is dominated by great French artists
such as Daumier and Delacroix, and later by Degas,
Toulouse-Lautrec, Picasso, Braque and Miro. |
Giclée
Giclée
(zhee-clay) is a French term, in this case meaning “spray
of ink”. A giclée is a means of reproducing an original.
It is not an original graphic but a fine quality reproduction
print. Giclée prints render deep, saturated colours
and have a beautiful painterly quality that retains
minute detail, subtle tints and blends. The prints
may be hand embellished by the artist using paint,
ink and gold foil stamping for a mixed media effect.
The
production of a giclée print is not an automatic process.
The human touch is critical in several phases of the
giclée process. First giclée prints begin as original
art. Second the work is scanned into the computer,
where it is colour corrected. That colour correction
requires an experienced eye and touch in making the
proper adjustments in tone, contrast, sharpness and
other factors to produce a print that faithfully reproduces
the original. Third, in matching the computer image
with the final print, a practised eye must make adjustments
for the best results. And last, the printer itself
needs steady attention to produce consistent, quality
results. In short, the human hand is part of every
step of the giclée process. Indeed, the difference
between a quality printer and one that is not, lies
almost entirely in the human involvement and craftsmanship.
The “Limited
Number”
Limited
edition prints have never been so collectable. The
faithful translation of original paintings into limited
editions enables an artist’s work to be enjoyed by
more collectors. Most editions are reproduced to a
maximum of 850 copies and often-original screen prints
are less than 400. The hand written number, which appears,
on each print is vital it guarantees not only the
size but also the authenticity of the edition. The
plates, films and materials involved in the reproduction
are all destroyed following printing, which further
ensures their authenticity. The “Signature”
Each
edition bears the unique signature of the artist. This
signature authenticates each reproduction of the artist’s
original painting and also ensures the edition is to
their complete satisfaction. |
Silkscreen
Prints
These
are created by the long established method, which,
in simple terms, is a stencil printing process in which
colour; usually paint or ink is passed through a fine
screen onto paper. The screen traditionally used comprises
a fine weave silk, or similar, pulled over and secured
to the frame. The silk is then masked excepting those
areas where the paint is required to pass through.
As each individual colour and shade requires a separate
screen the whole process is lengthy and requires considerable
skill. Slowly then, screen by screen, with precise
alignment the final image is worked towards. The artist
is involved during the creation of each edition, approving
various stages and often making changes and additions,
adding to the originality of the final item. |
