artwork - silkscreening

[TheOriginalGT40]

With more time on my side since closing down my model business earlier this year, I have returned to another of my favourite pastimes which is art.

I know this photo/video thread but couldn't find anything for prints/paintings so I thought I'd drop it in here.

The following is a work in progress piece of artwork that I will develop further into a series of Silkscreen prints of various motor racing idols, legends and general characters of the sport and cars/bikes in general.



Initially it was for my own personal pleasure but some friends have seen some of my initial works and thought they'd be worth reproducing, which of course the silkscreen process lends very well too.

I admit to using modern technology to develop my concepts, but I then revert to tradional ways to finalise the work using silkscreen processes which gives the work a quality and texture that digital printing can't match.

I have done some research and I appreciate that there are some companies who simply take very simple monotone or multitone prints and zap through digi printers but I have seen the work and the finish is not what I feel is right, even when they digi print onto canvas. Too commercialised and with that comes a less human touch to the final work.

Just interested to know what people might think of this work I'm experimenting on, btw the size of this work is 2ft square.

Regards in advance of any advice

Edited by TheOriginalGT40 on Friday 8th June 20:58

[GetCarter]

I think that if you can find the right market for your silk screening, it'll do very well. I know a chap that sells large format B&W urban landscape canvases in music recording studios - and he cleans up.

I also think that 99% of people would want a digital version... because it'll be a lot cheaper, and that 66% of them will think they can do it themselves with Photoshop. (And most of them can).

So, IMHO - it's the image that counts - not the way it's printed.

Good luck.

Steve

[TheOriginalGT40]

Without affending some, I'm not interested in digital printing or reproducing 1000's of the same image. I want a quality hand finish and feel to the work, something I would feel proud to offer others who appreciate the work involved in the whole process.

Rather than canvas, I feel more comfortable silkscreening by hand onto a good quality art paper, leaving the recipient (if I go down that route) the choice of how he/she wishes to frame the print.

In addition, where as digi printing is just one clone after another, the very nature of hand silkscreening means that every print is unique and if I were to go down the route of production, I would always limit the run in the region of 100-250 versions of each original artwork. Again, it is all about keeping a high degree of quality and standard to my work.

I agree it is something that many would think 'i can do that' but just because they may know Photoshop, doesn't mean they know good composition, detailing etc - just like web design (which is where I earn my crust) everyone thinks they can design a site, but most just scratch the surface due to their ignarance of design which is not something a software package can teach you.

Thanks all the same for the feedback.

[GetCarter]

I appreciate and admire your commitment.

But still think it will be the images you present, not your technique.

Get that right (and a place in the right part of town), and I'm sure you'll do well.

Again... good luck

Edited by GetCarter on Friday 8th June 22:26

[haggle]

you will run into problems if you havent paid for the rights to use the images, i speak from experince as an artist/photographer although i come form a fine art back ground i also do bansky ish graphics and sometimes use stock images but usualy have to seek the right to use these esp if for comercail gain