Many people think of art collecting is a hobby for only the very wealthy. However, innovations in limited edition high quality production and reproduction methods have opened the door of art collecting to people of lesser budgets. Methods such as etchings, lithographs, serigraphs and dye sublimations have made it where art is more affordable and can be appreciated by a wider audience. Furthermore, extras added by the artist in the form of “embellishments” can add more value to your piece by making it unique.

Art Etchings

Ever wanted to own a Salvador Dali? Surprisingly, you can purchase some of his hand signed etchings for a few thousand dollars. Below is an etching by Dali entitle “Dan.” This is a 1973 etching with color on BK Rives Paper. It is hand-signed by Salvador Dali. Dan is 1of 13 etchings from the 12 Tribes of Israel Portfolio that Dali created. This particular one is an artist proof aside from the roman numeral edition of 35 from the total edition of 520. Etchings have value, particularly when they are signed by the artist. But they also tend to hold value because only so many can be produced from the blocks used to imprint the etching before they lose integrity. Thus, the earlier the edition run, the more valuable your etching.

Lithographs, Serigraphs, Giclees, Dye Sublimations
Lithographs are made using oil-based ink, water, paper and a printer on a stone surface. It creates a high-quality reproduction of the image. A serigraph is a high-quality reproduction technique similar to a silk screening. A Giclee uses a high-quality ink jet printer to reproduce the work. Dye sublimation is a digital printing process that transfers an image onto a surface such as metal, glass or plastic. The image is basically cooked onto the material surface. Metal plates are popular for art dye sublimation.

Embellished Art, Limited Editions, & Signed Pieces

A big concern many have of any sort of reproduction si that it can occur indefinitely, thereby reducing the value of the first reproduction. The art world has solved this issue by creating limited editions of various modern art pieces. By limiting the pool, you make it collectible in the same way a run of baseball cards or comics are limited. Typically, the more valuable limited editions are signed by the artist. Embellishment is another technique to make reproduced art collectible. The artist takes a limited edition of lithographs or serigraphs and paints or draws on top of the image thereby turning the reproduction into a unique work of art in and of itself. Here is a piece by Anatole Krasnyansky entitled Teal and Bronze Overlooking the City” from 2005. This is a Giclee on canvas with hand embellishment. It is signed in ink on the verso. This particular piece as well as the Dali pictured above are from the personal collection of Paul H. Cannon, an attorney at Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. who enjoys collecting modern artists well known and lesser known.

Thanks to the above methods and techniques, art collecting has become more affordable for people of all budgets. Many of these works can be purchased at online auctions, however, be sure to get a Certificate of Authenticity with any piece you purchase. Art forgery is sadly on the rise and artists like Salvador Dali are among the most forged artists.