Signatures on Paintings

[NancyPH]

I'd like to ask what everyone else uses to sign their names to their artwork. I've used a few different items, none of which I've particularly cared for. I need to sign my name to my two paintings for the gallery competition and I'm not sure what to use. I don't want to screw it up since I also hope to sell these.

Give me some ideas please!!!!!!!!

Thank you guys!!!! I appreciate it very much!

[catchlight]

Ooh now you've got me curious, what do you mean by items? I just sign my signature, is there another way?

[Rosa Weitzel]

I have been impressing my name into the picture before I start. It stays white while the picture is being made. I just print my name out in my favorite font in the size I want then I use a pencil and with something soft like foam board under the paper. I put my name where I want it and pressing hard, copy the name onto the picture. Once that is done its there for good.
I then sign and date the back. Looks very neat and professional.

Rosa

[Katherine T]

Initials. Or initial and surname.

I use initials - but not until it's going for potential sale. And I never ever date. But I do keep an inventory of what was produced when.

I wish I could come up with a motif like Albrecht Durer's signature - so jealous!

[NancyPH]

Wendy, I mean do you use an ink pen, a marker, colored pencil, etc. Things like that.

[Katherine T]

Ah Nancy - misunderstood you. I always use pencil in a compatible colour. Rosa's is a neat trick though.

[finedreams]

Colored pencil usually, first name and first letter of a last name. Never put a date, but maybe I should? I only sign when I am completely done and am not planning on touching it again.

[RobinZ]

I sign my whole name, in a dark color, with cps, after I mat it. I like Rosa's way, but sometimes when I'm matting, I move it a little, and then might cut it off, make it off kileter etc.

I would use only my last name, but my kid beat me to it, lol! I never date.

[BKWYRM]

I'm still not happy with how I sign. I almost always use a graphite pencil because colored pencil is too soft and I don't like it. A black or indigo blue verithin works okay, but I like a really hard graphite pencil. I love Rosa's method, but I'm too chicken. I'm afraid I would re-crop it and have only half my signature showing. I also put the date and the copyright symbol.

At the sidewalk art sale I attended last week, I was surprised at how many artists seemed to use some sort of silvery pen or marker to sign their name.

I met a photographer who uses a white gel pen to sign his name. It was really nifty, but I'm afraid it wouldn't stick to the cp.

[wet]

I have tried that Kathy and it skips on the cp. Didn't work very well. I either sign it with a compatable cp or I have used a brown or black prisma marker. I use the markers to sign prints. Seems to work well with the photo paper. I sign it W. Taylor and never a date. Usually on the right hand corner unless it might interfer with the subject and then on the left. I find keeping it very simple is best for me. wanda

[gordoiye]

rosa, i use that method as well - it works great, although i have overshot the matte on one occasion - i like the idea of the prisma marker too....

i sign with my last name and date, although i've been thinking of nixing the date - maybe keep it just for sketches?

cheers,
gord

[ams]

I use either Rosa's method or a Pigma Micron Pen 03 (.35mm). It's archival and sticks to the cp. They are available from Dick Blick. It depends on the colors I am using and the color of the paper as to which way I go.

I usually sign it in the lower right corner but I make sure I'm not right in the corner (at least 1/4 in away from any border) so the mat won't cover it. Since I try to work in standard sizes to simplify framing, I don't have the problem of changing my crop later and covering my signature.

There was a thread on this a while ago and it was suggested that we don't date our work so now I only put a date on the back.

Anne

[Karen Cardinal]

Hey Nancy!

You've got some great suggestions about signing your work!
My method anymore is to impress the signature if I'm on light paper and to sign with a colored pencil if I'm on dark paper. (the impressed signature doesn't show up very well for me on dark paper.
I sign my first and last name in the lower right corner and tape a card on the back of the frame which list my name, the title of the artwork, the medium and support used, and the date.

btw: The illustrator comes out in me when I work on my art and I always work my name into the drawings themselves.

[catchlight]

Doh Nancy, sorry was in wally mode when I wrote that apparently I sign my initials and last name (in my usual signature). It's a short name so altho it has lots of curly bits it's not overwhelming...well I think so anyway I just use a CP to do it at the end of the painting - although I'm really liking Rosa's idea. I have quite a bit of problem with really dark backgrounds trying to get my signature on there, so Rosa's plan would be great for that. I also like Wanda's prisma marker idea - weirdly enough we have prisma markers in new zealand just no prisma's!

[frida]

I got used to sign at the very beginning. It kind of tells me I am going to finish the piece and it's going to deserve my name, if you know what I mean... I impress it on an area I planned to be dark enough, or use CP in a shade that won't be obtrusive in a lighter area, according to what my value study indicates. I also do that at the beginning because I never crop, but decide on the whole composition before tracing on the good paper...!

My preference is for a simple signature that is so discreet that is not going to be looked at before the work itself. I have seen many pieces ruined, IMO, by a signature in a very obvious place, about 2" above the bottom, in a light area, in very black ink paint/pencil, or any other dark, unrelated colour that works more effectively than a neon sign. Or is too large, too fancy, or follows lines that are part of the subject.

Bet Borgeson has some questions and answers on her website, and one of the questions is about signing:
http://www.borgesonstudio.com/

PS - I have some failed pieces with my signature too! No problem...