An original painting or drawing, or a fine art reproduction print... what's the difference? Isn't one just as good as the other? Yes and no, depending on your point of view. There are benefits to each.
Original artwork generally has a higher price point than a fine art reproduction print. Many factors contribute to this. The original painting or drawing is handmade by the artist. Each brushstroke, pencil mark, or dot of ink is put there by the artist's own hands. The artist spends hours of time creating each piece of artwork. Often many hours, days, months or years of practice are necessary to learn the skills needed by the artist. Artist quality materials and supplies are usually on the more costly side.
All of these add to the cost of an original, but the main reason an original has a higher price is this...there is only one original. An art collector highly values an original piece of art. The more well known the artist, and the more desirable that artist's work is, the more the value of an original increases.
Maybe you've seen original works of art, and would love to be able to purchase them. However, the owner may not be willing to sell the original, or the cost is out of your price range. A fine art reproduction print offers the beauty of an original piece, but at a more affordable price.
When looking to purchase a fine art reproduction print, check to see if it is made using archival quality materials. Nothing is more disappointing to buy a piece of art you love, and several years later it is faded and yellowed because it was made with inferior materials.
What printing process was used to make the print? Different printing processes will give different results. Giclée printing is considered by many to be the best way to produce archival reproductions of fine art. (See the FAQ for "What Exactly Is A Giclée Print?") A well made fine art reproduction print will often be mistaken for an original, and should last just as long.
Fine art reproduction prints make it easy to affordably fill your home with beautiful art. They usually come in standard sizes, which allows you to buy ready made frames instead of splurging on custom framing (though you can absolutely custom frame to showcase the artwork in a unique way).
With benefits to both original art and fine art prints, the choice comes down to this.... which do you prefer to collect? How do you decorate your home with art? Are you an original only art collector, or do you invest in fine art reproduction prints to fill your home with as much beautiful art as possible? Comment below and let me know.
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