Artist dividends, Fine Art Reproductions

Copyrights

Its been a long time since I chatted about the reproduction copyrights we artists own, and its long term value to us and our estate. The copyrights stay with us and our estate long after the original work is sold, it does not transfer at time of sale.

A missing piece, affordability 

I realized after a solo exhibit some years back there was a missing piece, affordable small works or a take home memento like an exhibit catalogue. My exhibit was not about small works nor did it fit into the narrative...... not that I didn't try. I and the gallery were asked more than once on opening night "Do you have prints available?" Until then that possibility never occurred to me! Not even an exhibit catalogue! Exhibit guests were left with nice memories, a first class presentation by The Richard Stravitz Galley...... and it was!

The Stravitz exhibit was first class 

Richard Stravitz Gallery - Singular Focus Exhibit) Opening

Back to the real reason for this blog post.

Artists, because the supply is limited, will have more admirers than original works. So collectors who might like to own an original or someone beat them to it or out of their financial reach, are left out. Both valid reasons to make or consider making high quality reproductions of key paintings to share as an alternative offering.

My observation

They really want paintings that best represents the artist work they admire. So, it was an easy choice. I got on board and had a group of key paintings professionally shot and converted into high quality digital captures. That was three years ago. The biggest benefit to date, a reproduction can be resized to match a need. Again, and not to my surprise, small reproductions on canvas under 30x30 didn't sell well against larger counterparts. Framed canvas reproductions 30x30 or larger, enhanced with a finish top coat was hands down the most preferred purchase. Gallery wraps with floaters on larger works  fared better than without.

Do it yourself digital captures

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Many of today's DHL cameras are able to capture high quality images... excellent for internet use and print files up to a point. I often use Photoshop's merge tool to stitch multiple segmented shots together for larger works, and create some reasonably large (tiff) print files. A tiff file prints all the digital information captured by the camera. The standard JPEG file reduces and merges digital information to keep files smaller.

Professional high quality digital captures

It almost goes without saying, you need the highest quality equipment to digitally capture and reproduce the essence of the original art work available. Professionally shot digital captures are hard to beat when it comes to fine art reproductions. After the original, the digital capture (tiff) print file is perhaps the most important thing an artist owns going forward or to pass on....

I use the services of Old Town Editions out of Alexandria, Virginia and couldn't be happier with the results. There is no finer method of direct image capture than with a Better Light scanning back in large-format camera. Better Light files are cleaner, sharper, and more accurately capture every detail and nuance of the original art work.

Example

Take 5 36x36 oil on linen

  DETAILS

 

 

 

 More About The Better Light Scanning Back

“As their name implies, Better Light’s digital scanning backs do not capture an image of the subject in front of the camera all at once, but rather by physically moving a unique, highly-optimized trilinear color image sensor smoothly across the image plane, building up the image one line per color at a time.” betterlight.com
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Marketing options

Well, vast is the best word I can think of once you have the print files. Collect royalties by licensing printing rights to art publishing companies. Bricks and mortar retail, your gallery system, collectors, possibly the design trade, both residential and commercial, as in hospitality are within reach. Internet Global if you have the right product.

Limited Editions

Signed limited editions are well received and have a serious collector base to boot. Its important to research this market carefully before jumping in. There are important standards in place, and long term limitations that could effect future use of the image. Something to keep in mind. A limited editions value may increase over time but it won't benefit you or your estate in the future unless there are still unsold prints in those editions.
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Exhibit catalogues

Another marketing opportunity that's not necessarily a give-away either..... a good exhibit catalogue is well worth a small fee.  However, it does take time and money to do and perhaps why it can easily be overlooked. These catalogues are also collectable and a nice reminder of an artists work whom they spent some time with!

Good quality images are needed for exhibit catalogues, our websites and internet sales platforms we expect to sell from. Digital images of our work is the only thing judges see when we enter prestigious juried shows.

"Remember its just paint and canvas until the artist gives it life. Enjoy your time Swimming-in-Paint, it won't last forever but your art might!"

Chuck Larivey