Oil Painting (Fake or Real?) by David Harper

You might think it’s simple to tell the difference between a real antique oil painting and a print on a canvas. Well, it is, once you know what to look for, but if you don't, you could very easily buy a fake!
I'm David Harper and you might have seen me on BBC TV antiques shows, buying and selling everything from pieces of silver to oil paintings just like this one ( Bargain Hunt, Antiques Road Trip, Flog It) When buying an oil painting, you need to know what you're buying...is it real, or is it fake?...watch the video and I'll show you how to tell the difference.
#antiques #how #bargainhunt #flogit #paintings #antiquepaintings #sellingpaintings #davidharper #sellingantiques #fakepaintings #realpaintings #paintingcopys #painting

[@jlander9940]

I purchased an oil painting at auction here in Ontario a couple of weeks listed as having an indecipherable signature but with the letters ARSA under it. With a bit of research and some persistence I found it to be an authentic oil painting by George William Aikman ,1830/1906 and a member of the Royal Scottish Academy of Artists and Architects from 1880 until the time of his passing. It is a beautiful oil of the Scottish Highlands and I am pleased to have been able to put a name to its creator.

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Fantastic, nice find

[@ThePianoreed]

@@DavidHarperAntiques I just came across your channel. This video is very interesting...had heard the word giclee but not oleograph before. You mentioned in your video that you would make one that demonstrates how to clean an oil painting. I have a small oil on wood panel of windmills by artist Willem Cornelis Rip. I bought it for $20 Canadian & was so excited after researching that it was by this Dutch artist & quite old. It needs light cleaning & I'm trying to figure out the safest way to do it myself. Any ideas? Thx

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

@@ThePianoreed There are different ways to approach cleaning Lou Lou. I will get around to making video I promise!

[@Mistymountainhunter]

Hehe, I just bought a painting yesterday, which made at 1905, it don’t worth much, only about $500 , but I really like it, that is the only thing matters

[@ismailfellah3664]

Thank you very much David, it's really helpful and appreciated.

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

You're very welcome!

[@lv2fish501]

It is very tricky; some prints have paint put on them as highlights then varnished. Seems like a real paint stroke but only a few to highlight the feel and look.

[@MrBrown-k9r]

Great instruction! I almost bought 2 paintings by A de Breanski today. They were priced at £25 each and I thought they were worth hundreds of pounds. However, they looked quite flat and I couldn't see any brush marks so guessing they were oilographs, which are valued at £30 ish. Have subscribed! Thankyou.

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Brilliant that this was helpful, thank you for the comment

[@dsmproductionsofficial131]

Glad to see you’re back, been missing you appearing recently on antiques programs

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

big thanks. cheers, D

[@hornomat6099]

Thank you for sharing. So buying online it's difficult to say then?

[@rocodiaz5221]

How do you identify if the painting is original if there is no signature on the painting or even on the back?

[@soniczone3665]

How do you tell if it's an original on hard board?

[@Neil2022]

Great advice David. Thanks.

[@fredherring876]

Would looking up close with a loupe be useful? I know you get those little uniform dots with more modern prints but wonder if it would be the same for older oleographs

[@davidkeith8425]

Hello David. Thank you for advice very much appreciated

[@michaelhealy1590]

What about inspecting the surface with a loupe to see if there are printing dots

[@Qwijebo]

Sometimes artists do "sketches" unsigned, so if you can attribute to a particular artist without a signature often the value will be there, not so much with a signature but often style and dates help

[@Rick-tb4so]

What power mag glass do you recommend for paintings ?

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Any would do

[@mindymorgan8479]

Ty! Looking for old art even if it isn't worth a dime! Checking the second hand stores. I also love the smell! There is a word for it. Smelling works if art and books even. 😂📚🎨 Wonder what kind of brain problem have we found that makes us excited about old smelly canvas! I love it!

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

I’m with you on that. I also love the smell of old tea caddies!

[@vincentrockel1149]

I found a painting in a thrift store that was on a stretcher that was crafted with hand tools and had the frame stretchers stencil on the back a little research dated the painting to the 1840's or 50's

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Lovely find

[@Jeremy-f3s]

250 quid isn't to be sneezed at, it's more than the Bargain Hunters get left with by the end of the show haha.

[@mbsong316]

Thank you for the helpful and informative video. I have a lovely Paris cityscape oil painting signed "P. SANCHEZ". It is a large painting on canvas, and the frame was made in Mexico. I can find many of his paintings online but cannot find any biographical information. Any suggestions?

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Thanks for letting me know that this was useful. If nothing online about him, then maybe email any other sellers to see if they would be happy to share what they know ?

[@mbsong316]

That is a good idea. Thank you!

[@delias5962]

Love it❤

[@Print229]

Does re-lining count as a repair?

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

yes it does

[@Print229]

@@DavidHarperAntiques I think I have one of the 0.01% of oleoraphies that were repaired. 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@bounthiankhammao3795]

You should buy my old oil painting. I'm on a processing showing my paint that my landlord gave my family since 1982. It's exactly how the way you describe the real one. Hopefully it worth alot. I'm praying for mines to worth something.

[@ASpectacular3777]

Is an Oleograph the same as a Giclee? I have a hard time telling a Giclee apart from an oil painting, especially when it’s textured. I found out the hard way on an Edna Hibel painting I thought I bought, which turned out to be a Giclee. It had a small stain on it. I took an ultra fine microfiber cloth with a tiny bit of dampness and a spot of olive oil soap to clean it. Rubbed off all the “inkjet” print/color. :(😢

[@willsee6593]

I had Vincent Selby picture but is so shiny could be real or not?

[@equisculpt]

David love the video. I need some thoughts. I recently acquired a painting, oil on canvas. It is a violin, water jug & books. Your tips of sight, touch, smell were so helpful! It passes all of those. But what’s throwing me is the back. The canvas is stretched but stapled onto a newer frame and then set into an antique looking frame? Would someone take an older oil painting and restretch the canvas onto something newer? Also it is signed but I can’t decipher the signature.

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Hi, yes, this might have been done. It’s either a reproduction, or an older canvas re-mounted. If you show it to your local auctioneer, they’ll know once they’ve had a look at it

[@dianepilz3080]

I am trying to discover if the painting that I have for years of Modigliani is authentic.

[@user-kq5qp6dh8l]

Can you do a video on the actual technical tools they used to create an oilograph . From start to finish

[@user-kq5qp6dh8l]

Oleograph

[@noworldorderforme]

Any tips on to what to do when the surface of the painting is behind glass? Obviously, in that case the sense of touch is out of bounds unless the owner allows you to disassemble the picture from the frame. Is there any way to use a light source to highlight the ridges or other surface disturbances of a real painting as opposed to a print?

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

You’re right, removing the glass is the only way, unless you can see raised areas of paint, when looking through the glass with a light and from an angle. D

[@Vinterbukser]

Is it not the case that paintings behind glass are unlikely to be oil based? Oil paint takes about 6 months to dry properly and putting glass over a painting can lead to the canvas rotting. They also have more prominent surfaces (especially with impasto) so glass can damage the surface. Paintings under glass are more likely to be watercolours or maybe gouache. The glass prevents fading of the colours.

[@CosmicLove94]

Very informative ty. Does anyone know what a kandinsky Composition #66 print is worth?

[@VJaber]

Hope you are still reading your comments from your older posts. I'm new to your channel and I do have a question: Suppose you're in a shop and there is a "painting" you're interested in, but it's behind glass. Do you have to remove it there in the shop or is there still another way to tell? Thanks. I'm enjoying your videos and I'm starting at the beginning and working forward. Thanks, again.

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

if you can’t tell it’s a genuine oil or watercolour without removing the glass, it would be fair to ask ( if it looks feasible to do it) on the agreement that you buy it if it’s real…would seem fair ! Thanks for watching D

[@VJaber]

@@DavidHarperAntiques Oh, I'm so happy! You did see my comment. I just found you so I'm starting at the beginning and binge watching. Thanks so much for your reply!

[@janeday9148]

Some oil paintings have had a new canvas & some oilagraphs do have a varnish with brush strokes showing to fool the eye on a real oil the artist will put the varnish on with smooth sweeping strokes

[@philipjones6387]

Did you ever make a video on how to clean oil paintings?

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Not yet but I will…good idea thank you !

[@ShermVibes]

Hi, I found a painting of Abraham Lincoln & Diogenes in a Goodwill recently and after watching your video, I am still at odds. I do feel texture however, on the back, there are what looks like staples where the canvas is sitting inside them. There is also a bit of torn, old paper and a wire affixed with 2 old screws on either side. I'm afraid to remove the painting to further inspect. Researching online showed that it was painted in 1865. I don't see a signature but there is a gold plaque on it with the painter's name and title at the bottom front. Am I a millionaire? Haha

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

staples would indicate something very modern. Try showing it to your local auction. Cheers, David

[@timmcc1044]

Hi David, I commented on a different video about this one. Terrific job. As I said in other comment field, can you do more videos on fakes and reproductions? Even seek out personalities like Myatt. Plus, topics on fake paintings generally, on pottery, advertising, furniture (put together pieces) represented as period. You are so knowledgeable, please share that wisdom! Thanks

[@meyortora8441]

I found a painting of Fernando Amorsolo the first National artist of the phillipines,I don't know how and where to sell it

[@kayjuneau1056]

Can you tell me about this painting I got from it's a picture of a the Mossberg Castle in Germany

[@redchic]

That painting looks like my great*5 grandfathers, matthew fowld's, place in Scotland. Unfortunately i have forgotten the. Name of the village. Its by ayreshire, i think.

[@redchic]

Fenwick.... 4am and I finally remembered. Lol

[@redchic]

And for some reason I think the building, farm, or abby, had a name too. I don't know, but the term Greystone Knowe keeps popping up in my mind.

[@user-kq5qp6dh8l]

So do you know any oleograph producers, Or workshops worth studying the techniques employed?

[@venice9438]

Excellent video, thank you! Question: When you say that the surface of an authentic painting will be bumpy, are you referring only to oil paintings? Could other types of paint be totally flat on the canvas? Or would that indicate that it's definitely a print? Thanks!

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Thank you. Easier to tell on an oil, as it will be raised and bumpy. Less easy on a watercolour, but with a magnifying glass, you’ll definitely see raised areas and of course definite brush marks

[@venice9438]

@@DavidHarperAntiques Thanks! Glad I discovered your videos tonight.

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

@@venice9438 thank you

[@leejames1839]

@@DavidHarperAntiques I have old oil painting of a monk in a wine cellar I can't find any thing on it it is signed but I can't make out the signature and I've tried reverse image searches but they don't do it but I can tell by the back that it's definitely really old from what I've learned how that a canvas turns a darker color as it ages but would someone put such a nice frame on a painting and have it stretched if it wasn't something important someone had it reframed professionally that would cost a pretty penny having it redone my girlfriend does rental properties and someone left it if you have time I would love any kind of answer if you could thank you I'm new to this kind of stuff

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

@@leejames1839 Hi Lee, take a look at any of my recent vids and my contact info is in the video description. If you send a couple of pics, I’ll give you my thoughts. Cheers

[@vincentrockel1149]

My brother commissioned an artist to reproduce a scene from an old photo. When he got it l noticed it had pixels.. he paid a good amount for a computer created oil painting.

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

That’s a bit of a scam!

[@stevenhoshor4023]

I have a painting that has a thin clear soft plastic over the canvas. The clear plastic has brush strokes etched into it. Is this something you have heard of?

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

I can’t say I have, but obviously a very modern thing

[@RetroKarim]

"I recently came across an old lithograph from 1894 by Maude Goodman, and I find it fascinating! I’d love to learn more about her work and the techniques used during that period. If anyone has insights or resources, I would really appreciate it!" ---

[@tibred9403]

What if picture is behind glass?

[@user-kq5qp6dh8l]

Take it out. If it’s behind glass it’s more than likely an oilograph

[@howardcohen4845]

Good 👍 video

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Thanks

[@dannyexcess3148]

The point about a reproduction not having raised paint is incorrect. There are printing methods where a printer replicates the layers of paint as well.

[@mickfromaustralia902]

Very interesting David, all news to me (and he runs off to touch, smell and pay the bank off).

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Cheers Mick

[@bobolpatrick3789]

Bonjour, j 'ai vu des impressions partiellement peintes pour ,renforcer le réalisme et tromper !

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Yes, often prints were hand finished and so can be tricky to spot if you’re not used to seeing them

[@MakemLad55]

You should reboot going for a song David 🙂

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Have a look at my new antiques gameshow…just uploaded today!

[@MakemLad55]

@@DavidHarperAntiques will do David. When I was young I used to watch going for a song. It was as dusty as the antiques they showed. I think you have the perfect personality to give a show like that some eal vibrancy. By the way if it takes off and is successful I would appreciate some royalties 🙂🙂🙂

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

@@MakemLad55 Haha, thanks Allan

[@MakemLad55]

@@DavidHarperAntiques you're so welcome David.

[@lisarobinson8202]

If I send you a picture , can you tell me what you think?

[@robbryant52]

Nice to see his glasses not on top of his head

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

They fell off!

[@kayjuneau1056]

It's been painting it on a canvas

[@patriciayoung4556]

This is my Van Gogh picture I found

[@sanguinius4622]

Can you check a piece out for me?

[@rluo462]

one can start watching from 5:00 mark..

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Really…let’s see your video on the subject!

[@damon224]

@@DavidHarperAntiquesget em boy!!!

[@damon224]

@@DavidHarperAntiques I have a Louis Bassett oil painting. I can’t find the cost of it anywhere. I’ve never seen one like this. Got it out of a millionaire hoarders house as we cleaned it out they said we could have a few things so that was one of the things I got!! do you have any idea where I can find out the estimated value of this oil painting?

[@e.erin.]

@@damon224 Apparently he only responds if you insult him. P.S. One way to get a general ballpark figure is to look at online auctions (even eBay and Etsy) to see what they’re listed at/selling for. You more than likely didn’t need me to tell you that, but 😁

[@klauslorenzen]

just get the point!

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

@@klauslorenzen Which one?…there are several points in this free information video!

[@mw10259]

BRUSH STROKES ,,, END OF VIDEO

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

not quite as simple as that sadly

[@onlineteachme370]

Hi please I can have your email. I have an artwork of Paul wilson but I don't know if its real?

[@المصري-اوروبا]

Hey David , how are you ? How I can contact with you because I have portrait and I want to know it’s really fake , can you give my your email please or something? Thanks

[@UEFA-APro]

Pls send your email sir tqvm