The Art Print Masterpiece Painting Reproduction Manual
How to transform an art print into a high end painting reproduction complete with brushstrokes on canvas that looks just like an
original.
By knowing how to combine an art print effectively with canvas and artists’ materials, it is possible to create truly stunning
painting reproductions. However, the know-how is rarely shared. This ground breaking PDF manual reveals the essential secrets that
liberate the reader to reproduce their own favourite paintings with ease.
The Art Print Masterpiece is a 134 page manual packed with new techniques, step-by-step instructions and over 115
illustrations.
Using proven techniques developed by the authors, high-end painting reproductions can be created on canvas with the look and feel
of originals.
This working manual is ideal for beginners with no prior knowledge, as well as artisans who want to develop their skills for
creating professional quality painting reproductions to display in their own homes, for sale on the high street, the internet or
through their own website.
Every step of the process is clearly explained with step by step-by-step instructions, how-to illustrations and lots of hints and
tips.
Chapters are devoted to canvas preparation, print image separation, image transfer and embedding into canvas, brushwork, tools and
techniques, creating the illusion of age and realism, varnishing, tools and material suppliers, picture care, canvas stretching,
picture framing and selling your work. See top level
Table of Contents
The manual is written and designed for beginners and professionals alike and includes anecdotes from the authors’ adventures into
creating and selling their painting reproductions to galleries and collectors in the US, Europe and the UK.
What experience do I need?
If you have no previous experience in creating canvas reproductions and replica paintings, then this manual is designed for you.
If you have average skills and patience, then you should have no problems. If you are creative, or have even a little experience in
arts and crafts, then you will have a head start.
As your interest grows, the manual will also show you how to stretch canvas, how to make your own picture frames, how to make
professional looking picture name plates. You will also discover simple tools that you can easily make yourself for replicating
paintings to the finest detail.
If you can follow step-by-step instructions with how-to photographs, then you can create stunning painting reproductions
that can't fail to impress.
Do I need a studio or any special facilities?
All of the canvas transfer and replication techniques can easily be done at home on the kitchen table. You don't need to
buy any expensive tools or equipment to produce valuable looking replica paintings. You just need an art print, some artist's
materials and canvas and the The Art Print Masterpiece.
To get you started, a small shopping list of inexpensive tools and materials is provided that you will need for your first
project. After this initial purchase, you will have enough materials to create a number of canvas reproductions.
How's it done?
An art print is an exact two dimensional copy of an original painting and captures all the colour, accuracy and detail from the
brush strokes of the original artist. An art print is therefore an important ingredient towards creating life like and convincing
painting reproductions.
My research on how to remove, transfer and embed an art print image into canvas left me a little underwhelmed. This technique is
generally known as a canvas transfer. One such popular method is to stick a print, image side down, onto canvas. When dried, the back
of the print is wetted and the backing paper rubbed away to reveal the back of the image. This technique raises implications for
discerning art lovers since it can significantly impact the overall fidelity and perception of the image - as may be expected when
the artwork is seen back-to-front. Moreover, the original details and colors may appear muted or washed out, there may be a loss of
edge crispness and definition.
After some experimentation, I arrived at a novel water based technique that enabled an art print image to be separated,
transferred and embedded iinto artist canvas - with its front face displayed, just as it should be. This technique has withstood the
test of time and is fully revealed in this manual. With this new method, all the colour and beauty of the art print is retained after
it has been impressed into artist canvas.
The picture below shows just a small section of an art print image. To see how it looks after it has been embedded into artist
canvas just mouse over it.
Hover above to see the effect of embedding a print image into canvas
Depending on the original painting, or your own preferences, the canvas alone may be completed with a coat of UV varnish. However,
you could go further. The manual provides an armoury of tools, materials and know-how that will enable you to replicate all the
details that you would expect to see in an original canvas including raised brushstrokes, ageing effects, hairline cracks
(craquelure) and everything else to complete the picture and make it your own.
Below is a replica painting of Miranda - The Tempest, by John William Waterhouse. After the print image was embedded into the
canvas, brushwork detail was added by following the colour boundaries shown on the image.
Of course, the detail can't be seen from the above image, but an impression can be seen in a larger image contained
within the window below. On desktop machines, just use the horizontal and vertical scroll bars to navigate the image.
Alternatively, finger scroll over the image if you're using a hand held
mobile device.
Use the scrollbars above to view brushwork, or finger scroll on hand held devices
Displaying Your Work
The Art Print Masterpiece includes chapters with illustrated step by step instructions on:
How to Stretch Canvas
Stretching your canvas around stretcher bars, that can be purchased from arts and craft stores. The stretched canvas can be
displayed without a frame, often known as museum wrap. Alternatively, the stretched canvas can be fitted to a picture frame in the
traditional way.
How to Make Picture Frames
There's lots of alternatives for having your
canvas framed. Obviously you can go to a picture framer. Alternatively, there are
companies that make the frame pieces ready for you to assemble yourself. You can also discover how to make your own picture frames
and develop a further skill.
How to Make Picture Name Plates
To complete your masterpiece, a picture name plate attached to the picture frame provides that authentic finishing touch.
The manual describes a new technique on how you can easily make picture name plates by transferring
printed text to brass, wood, plastic and other materials. The name plate provides the title of the picture and the name of the
original artist. If you're selling just the canvas by post, the inclusion of a nameplate adds extra value.
Certificate of Authenticity
Although it remains a copy of an original artwork, the painting
reproduction that you create is a unique piece in its own right. A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provides an opportunity to distinguish your work from that of others, conveys exclusivity,
informs the buyer what they are paying for and provides added value.
A painting reproduction created from The Art Print
Masterpiece may well appear as an original painting. The COA prevents any ambiguity by stating that it is a
reproduction.
The COA provide a helpful record of the materials used and how
it was created. Also, details of the original artist, his or her
period and the title of the work.
The COA should also include your contact details, address, email, website, business name, etc. This can be especially helpful
should the buyer wish to get in contact with you for a commission, or repeat orders.
The manual provides a link to an example Certificate of Authenticity that you can download edit and print out for
yourself.
Selling your work
Creating your own painting reproductions is a great way of gathering a collection of your favourite art. It's not only creative
and fun, but can also lead to an extra income or a home based business.
The manual devotes a chapter to selling your work and creating a value added package to encourage repeat orders and new
commissions. There are lots of outlets for selling your painting reproductions including friends, family, colleagues, wedding
gifts, hotels, restaurants, galleries, antique shops, offices, reception areas, interior decorators, picture framers and poster
shops - to name just a few. With your own web site, you can also sell your artworks on-line with your own shop window to the
world.
The Art Print Masterpiece can be used to develop new skills to help start a home based business or to compliment
your existing art business.
When selling your work by post, the normal practice is to send just
the rolled canvas in a postal tube,
which is economic and avoids damage. To convey professionalism and
exclusivity, the picture name plate and certificate of authenticity is
also included, all protected in acid free tissue paper.
Interactive eBook
Unlike a paper version, the Art Print Masterpiece eBook provides internal clickable links as well as external links to
reader resources such as the editable COA mentioned above, an initial shopping list to get you started with your first reproduction
painting and links to online suppliers of the tools and materials mentioned in the manual.
