Art Glossary
As you look through the Gallery and search for that special African Anerican Art piece that speaks to you, there are art terms you should be familiar with. Luv That Art. com wants to make sure it's customers are knowledgeable of what there purchasing. May you find that Special piece that speaks to your emotion.
Art Glossary
Original:
An original work of art is the source from which all copies, reproductions, or translations are made. It is the physical piece of artwork which was created from the hand of the artist.
Limited edition (LE):
A limited edition print is one in which a limit is placed on the number of impressions pulled in order to create a scarcity of the print. Limited editions are usually numbered and are often signed.
Open edition (OE):
A series of artwork in an art edition that has an unlimited number of copies. Can be signed or unsigned, but not numbered.
Signed Edition (SE):
A series of artwork in an art edition that has an unlimited number of copies. Signed by the artist, but not numbered.
Artistic Proof (AP):
Traditionally, when limited editions are published by a gallery, the edition is sold exclusively by the gallery. However, the artist is given a small number of prints for his own personal use, usually 10% of the number of limited edition. This edition is labeled Artist’s Proof. (A/P)
Remarque (RM):
Remarque limited edition prints have an original small hand-drawn sketch or painting by the artist in the margin usually positioned next to the signature or edition number. This feature increases the value of the edition.
Lithograph:
Prints taken from a drawing done from a polished limestone, zinc, or aluminum plate. The drawing is with greasy crayons, pens, or pencils. A solution containing gum arabic and dilute nitric acid is washed on the stone (or plate). This solution fixes the design in place. The entire plate surface is washed wit water and then inked. Print paper is applied and sent through a press, transferring the image of the stone (or plate) to the paper.
Offset Lithograph: Four-color lithographic print from an offset press. Can be an open edition, limited edition, or poster. Lithographic technique in which ink is transferred from a plate to a rubber roller, and then onto paper
Giclee:
The French word giclee means a spray of liquid. Giclee prints represent an innovation in printmaking technology. For these prints, images are captured with high-resolution digital scans and then printed with archival quality inks onto various substrates, including canvas, fine art, and photo-base paper. The giclee printing process is commonly found in museums, art galleries, and photographic galleries. These digital images will not deteriorate in quality as negatives and film do because the information is archived digitally. Giclee prints are typically created using high-end 8-color to 12-Color ink-jet printers.
Serigraph:
A silk screen printing process using stencils adhered to silk or nylon mesh through which ink is pushed by a squeegee. The ink is laid down in a separate layer for each color. Some serigraphs have many layers, while others have only a few. Some inks are transparent, others opaque, resulting in varying effects.
Canvas transfer:
Canvas transfers have been recognized over the past decade as an elegant alternative to glass framed lithograph images. Canvas transfers give the look and texture of an original oil painting by simply transferring color onto an artist canvas. First, a lithograph on paper is coated with acrylic emulsion containing the highest recommended amount of UV inhibitors. Then, when the acrylic is dry, the print is covered with a solution that helps to separate the image from the paper it was printed on. The image is now bonded to the acrylic and freed of paper. This film is then carefully bonded to the highest quality wrap-around artist canvas. Finally, the image undergoes a series of rigorous inspections that insure the our work is of superior quality. The result is a beautifully unique reproduction that maintains the integrity of the lithograph while increasing its appeal and value.