Signing your work
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- Опубліковано 23 січ 2018
- Seven (more common than you'd think) mistakes that artist make when signing their paintings and what to do instead.
Remember that signing your work is important and there are some thing to consider but also that ultimately you get to decide on how you finish your work.
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7 mistakes
1) not signing your painting
2) not signing the “actual” painting itself (not the back of the canvas)
3) not including key info on your piece of art
4) not being consistent with our signature
5) not using the right mark(s) for you stylistically as your signature
6) not using the right tool to make your signature
7) making your signature too big
I used my initials written in Sakura Pigma Micron Ink regardless of whether I am using watercolor, gouache, graphite, colored pencils because I want that to be part of my signature style. I do sign on the front right corner, completely sign the back, date the artwork was finished, what brand of medium & specific colors used, my reference number code, but no title (I have trouble with coming up with a titles). This was a wonderful valuable & informational video for me. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I can't speak for all , but I always try to camouflage my signuture in the art where possible. My opinion on this is it's the painting that's important, not my signature. Besides folks say it's fun searching for and discovering sometimes. I. e. the painting is the vehicle, I just hold the keys.
Over the years I’ve signed my art with a husbands surname. So I have pieces out there with a variety of signatures. Nowadays there’s hardly a soul alive who knows me by my maiden name and I’m sick of carrying a man’s name into my art. So have taken to using my first and middle names as my signature, for they are the only two that are really my own.
Karen, I would sign with whatever you feel represents you best. :-)
Hi Karen. I also had that same problem. So finally I decided to sign my first and middle name.
Lovely
Good for you ! I'm a man and all for empowerment of women so long as it doesn't get into stupidity.
Where I live in Quebec Canada women keep their name for life. When you marry you keep your name and cannot take your husband’s name.
When I started, I always forgot to sign my work. Now, it’s the first thing I think of when I’ve finished a painting. I sign everything I do, even cards. It is very important. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Signing my paintings on the backside of the canvas seems to be the best method for me. You can't detach the backside of the canvas from the painting, so it will be a part of the physical painting forever. Also it does not distract viewers from the painting itself. On the frontside there is my pure painting. I can't think of any disadvantages when signing a painting on the backside of the canvas. If someone wants to know who made this painting, he can simply look at the backside of it. Many painters in history have done so. I don't know why in this video, she has the crazy idea of stickers at the backside, because you don't put stickers at the frontside too. Right? Well, I use three things to sign my paintings on their backside directly on the canvas: 1. The actual precise date, not only the year, not only the month, but also the day when I finished the painting. 2. My unique seal as artist. 3. My signature. And all these three things I put directly on the backside of the canvas with non-removable colors. So it will be there forever. And the advantage is that the actual painting on the front is not disturbed. Also I can put a seal on the backside, which I could not do on the frontside the way I do it. The seal at the backside is so unique and makes it practically impossible to copy. It also enhances the security of the painting and makes it impossible to copy the painting. I also put the exact same seal on the certificate of authenticity. The color of the seal is extremely unique. In public galleries, exhibitions, museums there are informations next to each painting who painted it and when it was painted. The people working at galleries, exhibitions and museums have done the work beforehand to look at the backside of the painting and extract the information about who has painted it and when it was painted. So there is no need at all when it comes to public display to sign my paintings on the front. And when it comes to private collections, then there is always the certificate of authenticity that comes with the painting. So there is no need to put my signature on the front of the painting, because people who own my paintings know who made it and when it was made. And in case they forgot, they can either still look at the backside of the painting or at their certificate of authenticity. Anyways, my seal and my signature on the backside of the canvas of my paintings is always a guarantee that the painting will always be associated with me, since it can't be removed.
I try to avoid using sharpies directly on the canvas...they can bleed through some compositions. I would suggest using acrylic pens! Good content and thank you for posting!
Thank you for this good suggestion - may I know what is a reliable brand?
I have signed with Poscas which I thought were acrylic, but have discovered that they smudge if the painting is brushed over with varnish, so I now use ordinary paint which I do find a bit tricky. Still learning.
Excellent advice. Some have commented that it's a long video for something that seems so trivial as the signature, but signing your work is definitely an overlooked aspect in the making of a painting. I also paint thick and also inscribe my signature into my wet oil paint with a pointy object. A signature painted on can sometimes be covered up, but it's very difficult to get rid of a signature that's actually intaglioed into the paint itself.
Excellent comment!
Yes because I have a line up of people wanting to remove my signature and replace it with theirs. lol lol
Thank you for your advice. It would have been nice to see examples.
Totally agree, I did not sign on front for a long time but finally my MARK, my signature simply appeared and it felt right to put on the front...it’s my identification, it’s always done in harmony, thoughtfulness with the piece. I never want it to be distracting from the piece itself. It certainly took time, even discovering the right tool to use. Thanks very good and clear.
Signing ones work is always good, but I hardly ever do so for two reasons, 1 when I ' ve not finshed, because signing it makes me feel it's a finished piece. Number two most of times the client want the work immediately and I end up not signing , except most times, some of them would ask me to sign the work. Hence forth I will sign my works. Its importante to do so thank you for sharing
Thank you for your advice. One thing I'd add with regard to watercolor pieces. If you are planning to submit a piece for a competition, check with the organizers first. More often than not, the preferred way of signing a watercolor is underneath the painting, bottom right, in ✏️ pencil. 😉
What about abstract paintings? An artist may have an intention for the orientation that it should be hung. Then there are abstracts, especially square canvas or wooden boards, where someone who would like to purchase it but prefers a different orientation. Signing an abstract in the lower right hand corner basically dictates the artist’s intention and could very well get in the way of the painting to be sold.
Your thoughts on signing abstracts please. Thank you.
I love scraping out my signature. Definitely the easiest thing to do. I love your idea of filling in with a color if the scraping doesn’t show up. 👍 Good tips, thank you!
your art studio is absolutely stunning
Thank you for the informative video. This is something I've been struggling with. It's time I settle on my style of signature.
Love this! My name is Beth Lee, so I sign _blee_
Thanks Róisín, this video was super helpful. I particularly like that it's important to sign your art because it honours your work, very good advice! Thanks for being so clear and encouraging.
You're welcome Helen :-)
Thank you. You made it easy to comprehend. I’m lucky, I love my signature so it’s easy for me 😊.
Thanks for the well thought out information! I’ve been struggling with how to do this for quite awhile now. This really helped.
Thanks so much for the tips about signing your name. Looking forward to see more of your videos. Best wishes.
Thanks for sharing the tips on signing. Great advice🇨🇦
Thanks Roisin,
Very valuable information that you have given to us the viewers. Thanks again.
This was by far the most informational video for this topic! Clearly presented, lots of valuable knowledge~ Thank you so much for sharing it!
I recently was blasted for just using initials. Thank You for saying that's ok. I'm not famous except among friends and family and I don't care. I'm just painting for them and because I love it. I have been signing LM on paintings since 1975. I do use acrylic paint and sign my whole name and title on the back. So my great grand nieces and nephews will know what it is.
Linda Myers sounds like you have a good plan for you Linda 👍🏻💛
Richard Diebenkorn painter of the famous Ocean Park series signed his finished pieces with "RD, date", i.e. RD 75 or signed on the back.
Signing my finished canvas is the only decent part of my painting! 😘 Thanks for the video, Roisin.
Great tips!!! I looked for the name of that brush and couldn't find anything on your blog about 'essential tools'. Thank you! PJ
Thank you for explaining this so well Good common sense here. ~ Lisa
Thank you so much for sharing tips and advice! It's very helpful.😊💕
Signing my work brings me some kind of joy. Almost as much as the work itself. Your talk helped me understand this.
Thank you for this information, I don't always sign, so I will in future.
This video was so helpful. I'm preparing for my first major show, and I will definitely use your advice. Thank you for sharing.
Good luck! I hope your dreams come true :)
This video is so great! I've looked for this information ALL OVER, and there is nothing that explains this really vital part of the process. I have never signed my paintings, but now I know exactly how and why and about the importance. Also was never clear about signing on the back, thank you for explaining!! And signing editions. Thank you Roisin!
You're so welcome :-)
Very grateful advice... I'm getting back into oil painting, switching from computer art temporary- who knows what will happen, but there's still nothing like a good set of oil paints on canvas. Very intuitive advice, thank you so much
Great information. I'm saving this in my watchlist. And, thanks for not having music in the background, I have trouble paying attention to people when they do that.
Very helpful and clear! Thank you, I was wondering about that worked.
I paint abstract and there isn’t always a definite way the piece should be hung so I sign on the back of the canvas to enable the client to choose how it gets hung! If it’s a commission piece I show it to the client before I varnish and if they have strong feelings about a hanging direction then I will sign it wherever they want and then finish it for them - one client wanted it signed through the middle which I thought was a bit weird but she was paying!!! If I intend for it to be hung a certain way I do sign the front or sometimes the side of the gallery wrapped box canvas - this is most often with multiple canvas pieces.
Gary Brown Thanks Gary, that’s a good point 😄
Omg! Much needed information. All my questions answered. Thank you!!!!
that's really good advice. Thank you for sharing your thoughts
You are very darling, Róisín, and this is very helpful. Thank you. 💖
Thanks so much for the tutorial on signing!
I learned so much! Love your lecture style, too. Thank You so much.
I'm in love !
This is awesome information! I'm going to be starting my own small business and I did not know half of this information before I watched this. Information like how big the signature should be, including extra info about the painting or any piece really and what happens when you use more than one signature. Thanks for sharing this info! 😁
I sign my initials,CjC, with a heart over the j. I add the year (ie: '24) just below it.
Great information! Thank you!
Thanks for this video. I paint impasto in oils and I really like the idea of using that wipeout tool for my signature. I am currently using an old Bic biro for this as I can write neater with something I am used to but I have ordered some wipe out pens to try as well.
Thank you for a very informative video.
Lot's of good information, thank you!
Thank you for your advice.. it is appreciated.
Thanks for the video, very interesting. I have been painting for many years and when we were studying for our degree in fine art, we were advised by our tutors not to sign on the front of the painting. Since then I have been generally signing on the back, probably erroneously. However, my work has changed, and I have been considering whether to find a monogram. I will take on board what you have posted and rethink.
I use Micron pens for works on paper. They are made with archival ink.
Thank up Roisin for your video. Questions I often want to ask. You have answered.
This video was super helpful ❤ Really valuable advice❤ Thanks for sharing all this info
I use a liner brush to sign my paintings, it works well with acrylics and oils .
Watching this in 2023. Great informative video. Thanks!!
These are really good tips.
Great tips! Thank you!
Great advice! TFS.
You are lovely thank you so much for your advice ❤️
This was a very helpful video. Thank you
Thank you! I wasn't sure if I should sign some stuff. I sign my initials!
This is helpful information. I haven't been doing this.
I have been doing a cartouche in the front which is basically etched into the painting when I paint impasto with oil paintings. I also add the information of the dimensions on the back of the painting.
Thanks! This was very helpful!
Thank you so much for this informative video. I was having my coffee “with you”. Maybe one consideration we need to add is the size of the frame because a signature on the bottom might be covered. Just a thought 😊. Best regards.
Yes Elizabeth, about an inch away from the canvas edge should clear it. Hope the coffee was good! :-)
Most helpful thanks
Good point--sign while wet, before varnishing.
Very good information, thank you!
Excellent !
*Thank you So Very Much for this Great Info. I'm a newbie to painting & looking for all the info I need to do before selling. I just Subscribed. 🤗🤗🤗*
Great Presentation 👍
Ahh... Yes! 📝
My Infamous Signature
I am almost 64 years old (as of 2022)
I have been doing Art all of My Life!
My Mom said I was doing Murals on the walls at the age of two years old. She went on to say it wasn’t just scribbling but actual images.
OK... so anyway I have had a lot of Different Names over the Years! LOL 😂
OH My Goodness!!!
I could write a whole Book on that Subject.
I do Totally Agree on the Importance of Picking something & Sticking with it so People can find You!
I have more signatures than I can count 😉💁♀️
I feel like when I am gone people will refer to My different Signatures as “Periods of Time” in My Artist Journey!!! ...Ha-Ha 🕛
Same here, LOL!
BTW for those who don't know about acrylic paint pens (which as an amateur I find great for fine detail touch ups) Uni POSCA pens made in Japan, are great....I only mention these as several others below have done so :)
Excellent advice..... Could please help me, I would like to finally sign on the canvas, but I need to vanish this oil painting that was drying for 2 years now. After signing , waiting for it to dry for maybe a week or so. Can I use the oil vanish then or do I g-have to wait 6 months for it to dry. Thank you so much.
Thankyou would love to see examples👍
Loaded with info here. Wish I would have seen this before now.
Thanks a lot for your sharing..👍👍👍♥️♥️♥️🌹🌹🌹
Great tips. Thanks a lot.
I have a few questions:
1. Do you sign handmade coasters, acrylic pour coasters? and if so where should you sign it?
2. I generally write my first name and a small logo on my art piece. Is it ok to include both? on small things should i just write my first name? I like that sign as I always make it everywhere.
Thanks a lot.
How should you sign something that was fully digital?
Should it be signed digitally as well, or signed with live ink after it’s printed? Or both?
Grateful TY great advice
I do fluid artwork as well as realistic or abstract pieces which can be signed. Where would you recommend signing a piece of fluid art that often doesn't have a definable "right way up" or bottom right hand corner.
Thanks so much - most informative.
Good advice. Thank you
Great video!
Do you have tips if I played with what version of my name to sign? Do I have to continue with the version I used some years ago or can I change now that I am focusing on my art? Also do you have more tips for the inventory or reference number? I did not do that when I first began drawing or painting
Any tips/ suggestions on what color to sign with?
At first I didn’t want to watch a 20 minute video but this was very helpful information. Are there any tools to sign artwork 🖼 using some kind of paint marker? I find it challenging to sign with a brush.
I am fairly new to painting and signing them has been a bit of a trial , I feel a bit embarrassed like I'm boasting look at me, I did this ha ha , I feel in a painting that hasn't got much in it the signature really stands out like a beacon, but I'm getting over it slowly ,so thanks for the tips .
Suppose you were making watercolor greeting cards. The cover, the inside of the card and the envelope all have (related) pictures. Should I sign each one?
I looked at this because I have two paintings, I just finished one and the other has been missing a signature for months.
😊👍👍👍👍👍💗Thank you so very much❣️❣️❣️
Thank you. This was very informative.
Signatures. Underestimated, interesting topic.
Could you offer tips for singing in oil? I used to paint in watercolor and I am finding it difficult to sign in oil. I dont generally paint impasto.
Thank you. Great video!
Hi what do you do if you varnished and forgot to sign. Is signing on the back in the middle then the way to go?
Hi. This is the first time I’ve come across You so I went to look up your paintings. Oh my goodness, they are beautiful! (I didn’t catch the name of the signing tool...)
Thank you! I found this interesting and helpful/informative. I always look for the signature in the bottom right-hand corner. I realize that some people have their reasons for putting it on the back but if I can't see the signature then I can't talk about the artist or look up their other work! I particularly liked the idea of making one's signature an extension of one's self and style of art.
if you use acrylic paints or mixed media you can buy things called acrylic permanent markers and use those.They are like pens that use acrylic paints.
Thank you. Very helpful.
Thanks for the validation. I've argued with some other artists for years about signing or initialing on the front of my work. Any further info goes on the back. 👍😉
I have done an acrylic painting that is heavy body black satin paint on a matte black background. I have no idea how to sign it so it shows up. It’s sort of a canvas texture, so using an acrylic marker isn’t the best idea (I thought of using gold or bronze) because the acrylic pen will go into the slight grooves and become illegible. Help!! 😁
Very helpful