Frequently Asked Questions (at least within my experience)
Q Why mount a watercolour?
A Mounts do more than just finish off the painting. Without a mount the picture can contact the glass in the frame and changes in humidity can adhere the picture to the glazing. It then takes expert help to save the painting.
Q Why back off the painting with paper?
A Acid-free paper (I tend to use cartridge paper or light watercolour paper) provides a barrier between the painting and the backing board of the frame. Without this, the board can leach dyes and pigments that damage the visible image (foxing).
Q What are 'off the shelf' frame sizes?
A The sizes that you are most likely to come across are 8" x 10"; 12" x 10"; 16" x 12"; 20" x 16"; and there is a size generally referred to as 'certificate frame' of 14" x 11". I try to produce paintings that can be mounted to fit these sizes of frame which keeps down the cost for the customer. Sometimes my work involves mounts that do not fit the norm however. A certain European furniture supplier also sells frames of very different dimensions, but these are the ones you are most likely to meet in your local stores.
Q Why don't you sell framed paintings?
A As for the last question, it helps with costs but it also allows the purchaser to choose a frame that suits their display. The other thing is that I do not use plastic glazed frames and am nervous about sending art work through a mailing system framed with delicate glass.
Q What paints do you use?
A I use Winsor and Newton Artists watercolours almost exclusively, though I have flirted with Holbein and Daler Rowney on occasion. I mostly use Daler Rowney acrylic and Winsor and Newton Artisan oils. There are many watercolour papers available and I enjoy experimenting with new papers, particularly handmade ones, but mainly I use Arches hot pressed and rough; Fabriano Artistico rough and NOT; with some use of Saunders Waterford.
Q Why NFS (not for sale) on some pictures?
A If I have a particular picture in a selling exhibition I can't offer it for sale on this site, but I still want to show it. Also, if an offer has been made on a picture I will mark it NFS until the deal is finalised when I'll remove the picture from the site. Finally, some pictures have special meaning such as one of our youngest daughter from twenty-odd years ago, I still want it on the site but there is no way that I would let it go.
Q What is the Bockingford tinted paper you use for ink drawings?
A Well, I don't always use it but I do for some work. It's actually a NOT (which stands for 'not hot pressed') watercolour paper, I use one with a pale blue tint. I used it first for reed pen work using watercolour as an "ink" and found it took a lot of punishment which is handy when I'm dragging a steel nib over the paper surface. I also like the effect when I draw in ink on this surface, particularly for studies such as "Mother and Child" (Gallery Seven).
Q Why andysartwork when the site is Daves Art?
A My first choice domain name was already taken, so I reverted to my nickname of school days- Andy.
Got a question? Why not contact me?
A Mounts do more than just finish off the painting. Without a mount the picture can contact the glass in the frame and changes in humidity can adhere the picture to the glazing. It then takes expert help to save the painting.
Q Why back off the painting with paper?
A Acid-free paper (I tend to use cartridge paper or light watercolour paper) provides a barrier between the painting and the backing board of the frame. Without this, the board can leach dyes and pigments that damage the visible image (foxing).
Q What are 'off the shelf' frame sizes?
A The sizes that you are most likely to come across are 8" x 10"; 12" x 10"; 16" x 12"; 20" x 16"; and there is a size generally referred to as 'certificate frame' of 14" x 11". I try to produce paintings that can be mounted to fit these sizes of frame which keeps down the cost for the customer. Sometimes my work involves mounts that do not fit the norm however. A certain European furniture supplier also sells frames of very different dimensions, but these are the ones you are most likely to meet in your local stores.
Q Why don't you sell framed paintings?
A As for the last question, it helps with costs but it also allows the purchaser to choose a frame that suits their display. The other thing is that I do not use plastic glazed frames and am nervous about sending art work through a mailing system framed with delicate glass.
Q What paints do you use?
A I use Winsor and Newton Artists watercolours almost exclusively, though I have flirted with Holbein and Daler Rowney on occasion. I mostly use Daler Rowney acrylic and Winsor and Newton Artisan oils. There are many watercolour papers available and I enjoy experimenting with new papers, particularly handmade ones, but mainly I use Arches hot pressed and rough; Fabriano Artistico rough and NOT; with some use of Saunders Waterford.
Q Why NFS (not for sale) on some pictures?
A If I have a particular picture in a selling exhibition I can't offer it for sale on this site, but I still want to show it. Also, if an offer has been made on a picture I will mark it NFS until the deal is finalised when I'll remove the picture from the site. Finally, some pictures have special meaning such as one of our youngest daughter from twenty-odd years ago, I still want it on the site but there is no way that I would let it go.
Q What is the Bockingford tinted paper you use for ink drawings?
A Well, I don't always use it but I do for some work. It's actually a NOT (which stands for 'not hot pressed') watercolour paper, I use one with a pale blue tint. I used it first for reed pen work using watercolour as an "ink" and found it took a lot of punishment which is handy when I'm dragging a steel nib over the paper surface. I also like the effect when I draw in ink on this surface, particularly for studies such as "Mother and Child" (Gallery Seven).
Q Why andysartwork when the site is Daves Art?
A My first choice domain name was already taken, so I reverted to my nickname of school days- Andy.
Got a question? Why not contact me?