To sign or not to sign?

KarlH · Joined: 17 May 2007 Posts: 78 Location: Melbourne

Lately I have noticed artists are signing their paintings with large signatures. In a number of works I have seen lately I thought the signature demaged the painting by overpowering the subject. I just wondered if there are any hints on the correct signing of work??

I have a framing friend who said to keep away from the outside edges by about 1/2" to aviod the frame from obscuring the signature.

I had the impression that the signature should not be legable from the normal viewing distance but clear from about 12". Am I wrong?

Is it ok to keep signing the back of my work or will someone one day sign their own name and steal credit for painting it?

KarlH

The Pook · Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 2904 Location: Tasmania

Annee · Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 109

Hi Karl,

Here in Coffs we have the annual Lillipilli Art and Craft Exhibition around April. It's getting pretty big. This year a few judges, from different categories, commented on signatures being too noticeable, large or dominant. Some were, others I didn't agree. As long as they don't become the focal point or compete with the subject, surely it's okay to sign your name.

I don't make mine too big and I use a colour that exists in the painting, rather than introduce a new colour. I've also used different styles of signature because I think it suits the painting better, ie. I don't have one signature. My watercolour signatures have a more handwriting look and my acrylic ones are thicker and heavier because of the brush, sometimes cursive and sometimes uppercase, depending on the look of the painting. I don't date them on the front.

Also the photography judge said photographs shouldn't have a signature at all. Some had digital ones and some regular signatures. Does anyone know what is correct?

Cheers, Annee

Omphaloskeptic · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 855 Location: Merimbula

The Pook · Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 2904 Location: Tasmania

Omphaloskeptic · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 855 Location: Merimbula

KimO · Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Posts: 1470

Sorry Om & Pook, I don't understand - what is the meaning of the initials SDG & why is DB OK when you don't want to sign your name ? Confused

Omphaloskeptic · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 855 Location: Merimbula

KimO · Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Posts: 1470

Ahhh! I see - and why is it you feel signing db doesn't 'take credit'?

Omphaloskeptic · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 855 Location: Merimbula

artfound · Joined: 26 Dec 2008 Posts: 23

As an art collector I always vouch for clearly written signatures. Paintings live longer than people plus they travel distances in the modern world and if they are unsigned, or signed by the initials it is often impossible to work out who the hell the artist is or was. Signing at the back should be done IN ADDITION TO signing the top. As time goes by paintings change hands, the history disappear and often paintings are pasted on board ( I hate this) or on another canvas and your signature at the back is gone. The signature MUST be readable. Have a look, I have a humble collection of art, acquired at the tips, op-shops, flea markets and most of the pieces are very hard to identify despite the fact that they are not that old and most of them are Australian. Would you like this to happen to your art???

http://artfound.livejournal.com

sunfire · Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 1430 Location: Toodyay

Yes, I agree with you about identifying your work for ( hopefully ) someone in the future, having been a collector of many things in the past, I have learned how wonderful it was too find something actually with a date on & sometimes even a name. To be able to date something age wise precisely was great, & often shot down someone else's opinion that it wasn't that old.
I sign my work with my full name, front & back, but keeping the name on the front fairly blended into the painting, by keeping it small & useing colours that tie into the picture. I also add the year on the back.

Cat · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 71

signing is part of the process.. well the ritual for me. It marks the completion of a creative journey. On occasion I will sign in the other corner or use initials instead if the sig detracts from the image.

nefersartra · Joined: 05 Jul 2006 Posts: 404 Location: bundaberg

I sign mine on the front and in a spot that wont distract from the painting. I don't like big sigs I feel they distract from the painting.

Steve Gray · Joined: 17 Aug 2008 Posts: 1569 Location: Geelong

I get sick of slick big signatures, perhaps I'm jealous... I can't sign with a brush to save myself, so a blocky signature is as good as it gets.