Major Difference between Originals & Prints

There are many people who are fortunate enough to fill their home and businesses with original art. An original painting is one of a kind, and when you purchase an original, you purchase the only one in existence. An original in an investment.

Some art lovers end up collecting prints as well as original paintings. This happens when either the piece is outside of their budget or unavailable for purchase. Please keep in mind, when you buy a print, you are typically buying the piece from a print-on-demand service.

Because the artist does not need to invest hours and hours of painting time into creating each print, he is able to offer the image at a lower price, opening the opportunity of enjoyment to a wider number of people.

If you have had to settle for a print, here’s are the secrets to tell the difference between an original painting and a print:

Texture/Light

An original oil painting is one of a kind with texture created from the artist’s brush strokes. This adds depth and motion to the painting. As light moves through a room, the paint appears to change in character, bringing new life to the piece. You will notice that at no two distances will the painting appear the same.

Longevity 

Original oil paintings will stay vibrant and often increase in value as time goes on. The pigments in oil paintings are colorfast, which may not be the case with prints.

When budget is a consideration, fine art prints are a wonderful option for many art lovers. One way to capture the feel of a painting while keeping to a lower budget is to purchase a print on canvas. Prints on canvas will look like a painting, but will not be able to capture the light and depth as the original painting.

One of a Kind

Art collectors take pride in building their original art collection. It is a matter of the heart. There is only one piece like it in the world. And they are the only person to enjoy the beauty of those exact brush strokes and the way light dramatically changes the experience of the piece throughout the day. Many collectors feel a growing connection and appreciation for each of their pieces. This value often exceeds any monetary investment or value. 

To view all of Derek Russell’s original works, be sure to enjoy his portfolio.