Do You Sign your Art Work? - Painting & Drawing Tips

Are you quick to sign?  Do you hesitate, put it on the side or back? or Don't sign it at all.  

PICK OF THE HERD - Signature in lower left, value contrast with horse's leg is limited so it does not pull the eye away from the main focus of the picture.  

I must admit there has been times when I have really sweated over my signature. A masterpiece has been created and now I have to sign it.  No place seems right.  Every spot seems out of place.  Finally I decide on a place and put my mark.

Oh not!! It's too dark. It's crooked.  Too small. Too big.  . . .

You have been there, I am sure.  

In Robert Genn's latest Letters "The Painter's Keys" he talked about the signature.  I realized it is something that is not talked about much but all artists struggle with it at some point.  

SHORT EARED OWL: ON THE PROWL - Signature placed to facilitate eye movement - Softer value than darks on the owl so the eye moves over it and quickly returns to the owl.

From a Marketing point of view there is only one rule: Sign the painting on the front in a clear legible manner.  But not all artist think with an Entrepreneur View Point. Most are busy with their creative side. 

LITTLE WATERFALL - a signature can provide balance and flow to a drawing.

For many, the signature means it's finished.  You have put the final stamp on it.  It's ready to show.  Robert suggests that viewers look for the signature and may read things into it.  It can give the impression of strength, resolve, weakness, haste, officious, humility . . . and more.  

APPLE BLOSSOMS by Becky McMahon - Her Signature adds to meaning and style of her work. 

My artist friend, Becky McMahon, is a Chinese brush painter. (TriskelTreeCreations)   Her signature is an important part of her work. "I started out painting in Oriental Brush Painting style so I chose a signature that phonetically represented my name. Li Bek A for my name Rebecca. I also wanted to add artist seals and had one made by a master carver Kosho which means Dancing Brush. I also have a seal that means Powerful Dragon. The seals use a red 'ink' that makes the seal sing."

Close up of Becky's Signature 

The placement of the signature in Oriental paintings is also important.  She says "it is supposed to compliment the painting, working as a counterpoint or balance point at times."  This placement is true for most styles and usually ends up on the sides,  near the bottom.  

I find the best method for me is to plan the signature as I plan my picture for 2 reasons: 

1. For my graphite drawings the corners may be very dark making it is hard to put a signature. When that happens I need to embossed my signature into that area before the shading.  

2. I like my signatures to add to the eye movement within the picture whenever possible.    

BUDDY - Commission Piece. Signature was embossed into the lower left before the fur was shaded in. Resulting in a clear signature without a high contrasting value with the background and one that leads the eye into the drawing rather than away from it. 

In the end, whether you sign or not, it is up to you.  For myself, I agree with Robert Genn.  "It seems to me that front-signing is a simple, time-honoured convention worth caving in to. I like the company. Bending down with a small sable, I figure if Titian, Turner, Tissot and Toulouse-Lautrec did it, it’s gotta be okay."

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OUTDOOR SKETCHING SEASON  is HERE!!

Next Sessions:  Wednesday, June 2 (Forecast Sunny & 20°)

 Saturday, June 5 (Forecast Sunny & 16°) 

10am - 12:30pm 

Upcoming Dates: Wednesday  June 9 & June 16
Saturday, June 12 & June 19

Twice a week, Wednesday and Saturday mornings, I will take small groups out for Outdoor Sketching.  Get Tips and Techniques for Sketching in Nature.  Beginners to Advanced Welcome. Max. 3 per class. (Other times available upon request) 

Mediums supported: pencil, pen, watercolour, watercolour pencils and coloured pencils 

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Wendy