November 11, 2008

Fine Art Prints

Eng Tay
Beloved - Etching, Edition 17
5

For many collectors, especially those new to the art market or who do not want to spend a lot of money access original art by purchasing prints. One cannot argue that much of its appeal is in the price tag.

Artists may use one or a combination of many processes, from lithography to collography. These procedures are complex and are constantly refined. Regardless, a fine-art print have these characteristics; originally created for prints, not copied from work in another medium, artist's hands-on involvement, are in limited editions and usually accompanied by written documentation. ~Although some hardcore collectors insist that "they're a rubbish waste of time"~
Regardless, it is a great entry point into the art market. And, No! -Reproductions do not count as fine art prints.

Two of the most common and distinct print formats are etchings and engravings. These intaglio (Italian for cut in) processes draw out ink from the indent of plates using damp sheets of paper. The process can be repeated typically for several hundred impressions. The difference between the two methods is how the plates are made.

Engraving
In engraving, lines in the plate are cut with special tools. The engraved plate is inked all over, then excess ink is wiped off the surface, leaving only ink in the engraved lines when transfered to paper. Antique engraved prints are popular antiques to collect. Most modern day artists prefer etching.

Etching
A metal plate (usually copper) is covered with wax and drawn on with an etching needle. This process is more like drawing than engraving. The exposed areas are then ‘etched’ into, by acid to hold ink for printing. Rembrandt with his 300 plates was one of the greatest of etchers. Notably famous Malaysian etcher:-Eng Tay.

4 Comments:

noble house hotels malaysia said...

well, i consider etchings good art provided one can prove originality.research will show ,that some important collectors too have bought pieces of eng tay's, tajuddin ismail and even ibrahim hussein's etchings. well...some might find the A P's and the originals too highly priced on the secondary to purchase.these days, the quality of some of the etchings are amazing. so no harm collecting them. by the way, there's a huge secondary market out there too for etchings. investors staying away from unstable stock market conditions are beginning to look into alternative investments ie the art market. it's the only market, in my opinion, that will not depreciate

Anonymous said...

Who are important collectors? And why should value be determined by these people?

-whatsart- said...

This is the kind of open dialogue we were hoping to inspire... Keep them coming. Thanks

Anonymous said...

well, when you are an art investor or intent to be one, there are a few things you would have to consider. Techniques,total demand and supply (availability), artist's reputation, activity in auctions and unfortunately credible collectors to name a few factors. when you get a national art gallery or even a reputable art house and in some instances, credible collectors; it might boost the value of a certain art piece. but don't get me wrong. art's subjective. some like a certain piece and some don't. no harm in that. but i am voicing my opinions solely from the investment point of view. People are people. we tend to look to our left and right to see what others are collecting. Like it or not opinions on the whole does matter when it comes to art investment. when one opens a book specially written on an artist before a solo, why do you think the author included some names of the owners under a pic of a certain art. in general, why do you think you see ads of james bond driving his austin dbs? ... for the matter, why ask opinions on what's good or bad art?

 

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