Signing your work

[@1Ma9iN8tive]

7 mistakes 1) not signing your painting 2) not signing the “actual” painting itself (not the back of the canvas) 3) not including key info on your piece of art 4) not being consistent with our signature 5) not using the right mark(s) for you stylistically as your signature 6) not using the right tool to make your signature 7) making your signature too big

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

I used my initials written in Sakura Pigma Micron Ink regardless of whether I am using watercolor, gouache, graphite, colored pencils because I want that to be part of my signature style. I do sign on the front right corner, completely sign the back, date the artwork was finished, what brand of medium & specific colors used, my reference number code, but no title (I have trouble with coming up with a titles). This was a wonderful valuable & informational video for me. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@leslieramage7498]

Thank you for your advice. It would have been nice to see examples.

[@nouralawieh7120]

your art studio is absolutely stunning

[@karenkernell9405]

Over the years I’ve signed my art with a husbands surname. So I have pieces out there with a variety of signatures. Nowadays there’s hardly a soul alive who knows me by my maiden name and I’m sick of carrying a man’s name into my art. So have taken to using my first and middle names as my signature, for they are the only two that are really my own.

Karen, I would sign with whatever you feel represents you best. :-)

[@creativetips97]

Hi Karen. I also had that same problem. So finally I decided to sign my first and middle name.

[@shaash5236]

Lovely

[@zenoist2101]

Good for you ! I'm a man and all for empowerment of women so long as it doesn't get into stupidity.

[@marleesanders]

Where I live in Quebec Canada women keep their name for life. When you marry you keep your name and cannot take your husband’s name.

[@christopherblalockfineart3557]

I try to avoid using sharpies directly on the canvas...they can bleed through some compositions. I would suggest using acrylic pens! Good content and thank you for posting!

[@SuperExadidas]

Thank you for this good suggestion - may I know what is a reliable brand?

[@Hedgehogsinthemist123]

I have signed with Poscas which I thought were acrylic, but have discovered that they smudge if the painting is brushed over with varnish, so I now use ordinary paint which I do find a bit tricky. Still learning.

[@Ketobbey]

that's really good advice. Thank you for sharing your thoughts

[@amredrisco8416]

You are an absolute gem Jose - thanks so much ❤

[@texasgirlsoutdoors2669]

Watching this in 2023. Great informative video. Thanks!!

[@AlonzoTheArmless]

Excellent advice. Some have commented that it's a long video for something that seems so trivial as the signature, but signing your work is definitely an overlooked aspect in the making of a painting. I also paint thick and also inscribe my signature into my wet oil paint with a pointy object. A signature painted on can sometimes be covered up, but it's very difficult to get rid of a signature that's actually intaglioed into the paint itself.

[@danielvalleduarte]

Excellent comment!

[@ennelle2024]

Yes because I have a line up of people wanting to remove my signature and replace it with theirs. lol lol

[@lindamyers1386]

I recently was blasted for just using initials. Thank You for saying that's ok. I'm not famous except among friends and family and I don't care. I'm just painting for them and because I love it. I have been signing LM on paintings since 1975. I do use acrylic paint and sign my whole name and title on the back. So my great grand nieces and nephews will know what it is.

Linda Myers sounds like you have a good plan for you Linda 👍🏻💛

[@1755ma]

Richard Diebenkorn painter of the famous Ocean Park series signed his finished pieces with "RD, date", i.e. RD 75 or signed on the back.

[@BlackStarASMR]

Signing my paintings on the backside of the canvas seems to be the best method for me. You can't detach the backside of the canvas from the painting, so it will be a part of the physical painting forever. Also it does not distract viewers from the painting itself. On the frontside there is my pure painting. I can't think of any disadvantages when signing a painting on the backside of the canvas. If someone wants to know who made this painting, he can simply look at the backside of it. Many painters in history have done so. I don't know why in this video, she has the crazy idea of stickers at the backside, because you don't put stickers at the frontside too. Right? Well, I use three things to sign my paintings on their backside directly on the canvas: 1. The actual precise date, not only the year, not only the month, but also the day when I finished the painting. 2. My unique seal as artist. 3. My signature. And all these three things I put directly on the backside of the canvas with non-removable colors. So it will be there forever. And the advantage is that the actual painting on the front is not disturbed. Also I can put a seal on the backside, which I could not do on the frontside the way I do it. The seal at the backside is so unique and makes it practically impossible to copy. It also enhances the security of the painting and makes it impossible to copy the painting. I also put the exact same seal on the certificate of authenticity. The color of the seal is extremely unique. In public galleries, exhibitions, museums there are informations next to each painting who painted it and when it was painted. The people working at galleries, exhibitions and museums have done the work beforehand to look at the backside of the painting and extract the information about who has painted it and when it was painted. So there is no need at all when it comes to public display to sign my paintings on the front. And when it comes to private collections, then there is always the certificate of authenticity that comes with the painting. So there is no need to put my signature on the front of the painting, because people who own my paintings know who made it and when it was made. And in case they forgot, they can either still look at the backside of the painting or at their certificate of authenticity. Anyways, my seal and my signature on the backside of the canvas of my paintings is always a guarantee that the painting will always be associated with me, since it can't be removed.

[@lillyfair8816]

I really appreciate what you're saying here. You make excellent points and I will now add some ideas I had been missing to my own works. I will still continue one practice I (and some other viewers sharing here) do, which is to sign somewhere discreetly but quietly recognizably on the front of the painting as well. I share the perspective that I don't want my signature to dominate the art. One day I hope my style to be recognizable on its own. But I include the letters of my signature, plus a "trademark" little graphic, printed in tiny font usually towards bottom right, somewhere actually in the work itself. e.g. if it's an abstract landscape, the signature and graphic may be in small print along the edge of a bending leaf or petal usually near the bottom right. The signature thus does not compete for attn with the artwork. But comes as a playful surprise upon 2nd or 3rd gaze at the work. Galleries provide name cards. But in most home or office situations, artist description cards are not provided, and casual viewers wont pull artwork off the walls to search the back for identification. For me, until such day as I become as instantly recognizable as Picasso (lol), inclusion of my name and graphic as a subtle but predictable and discoverable part of the work where it can be detected upon close examination just hanging on the wall, will continue to be part of my "conversation" and self identification to the viewer. But I do like the idea of adding unique additional info and identifiers to the back of the work and any authentication papers as well. Great ideas from folks here. Thanks!

[@katharinebruce5947]

Totally agree, I did not sign on front for a long time but finally my MARK, my signature simply appeared and it felt right to put on the front...it’s my identification, it’s always done in harmony, thoughtfulness with the piece. I never want it to be distracting from the piece itself. It certainly took time, even discovering the right tool to use. Thanks very good and clear.

[@samstewart9249]

I can't speak for all , but I always try to camouflage my signuture in the art where possible. My opinion on this is it's the painting that's important, not my signature. Besides folks say it's fun searching for and discovering sometimes. I. e. the painting is the vehicle, I just hold the keys.

[@filmic1]

Thank you! I've had 3 photography displays, first was a large group showing. I had two solo's, one was 21 giclée 16x20's and the other ten I think. For the big étalage, other photographers were advising signing the border of the paper with pencil, as you say bottom RHS. So I signed on the border, not the mat. My first and last name. Nothing ever came of them but at least I gave it a shot. I painted a small oil that I liked and signed BRHS over the oil in fat green indelible ink, close to the same overall colour/hue of the oil. I think I did that right. D. Rust signed his limited edition Print we bought, twice with the #/tot #, BLHC.

[@chloeduplessis100]

This video was so helpful. I'm preparing for my first major show, and I will definitely use your advice. Thank you for sharing.

[@Oneandonlyamirali]

Good luck! I hope your dreams come true :)

[@helennewman1382]

Thanks Róisín, this video was super helpful. I particularly like that it's important to sign your art because it honours your work, very good advice! Thanks for being so clear and encouraging.

You're welcome Helen :-)

[@josieannbernard638]

Thanks Roisin, Very valuable information that you have given to us the viewers. Thanks again.

[@TriniRoyQuiReyes]

Signing ones work is always good, but I hardly ever do so for two reasons, 1 when I ' ve not finshed, because signing it makes me feel it's a finished piece. Number two most of times the client want the work immediately and I end up not signing , except most times, some of them would ask me to sign the work. Hence forth I will sign my works. Its importante to do so thank you for sharing

[@SimpLeeBeth]

Love this! My name is Beth Lee, so I sign _blee_

[@artwithmycoffee]

I love scraping out my signature. Definitely the easiest thing to do. I love your idea of filling in with a color if the scraping doesn’t show up. 👍 Good tips, thank you!

[@Artinthefamily]

Great information. I'm saving this in my watchlist. And, thanks for not having music in the background, I have trouble paying attention to people when they do that.

[@MarcellaRuthArt]

Great information. Presented very well. Thank you for sharing! You have a new subscriber 😊

[@Hedgehogsinthemist123]

When I started, I always forgot to sign my work. Now, it’s the first thing I think of when I’ve finished a painting. I sign everything I do, even cards. It is very important. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@brendareeves2593]

Thank you for the informative video. This is something I've been struggling with. It's time I settle on my style of signature.

[@SingYourselfWell]

You are very darling, Róisín, and this is very helpful. Thank you. 💖

[@pjmartin6690]

Great tips!!! I looked for the name of that brush and couldn't find anything on your blog about 'essential tools'. Thank you! PJ

[@timico6]

This was by far the most informational video for this topic! Clearly presented, lots of valuable knowledge~ Thank you so much for sharing it!

[@MOstix13]

Thanks for the well thought out information! I’ve been struggling with how to do this for quite awhile now. This really helped.

[@linameeswanson8897]

Omg! Much needed information. All my questions answered. Thank you!!!!

[@DG-mv6zw]

Signing my finished canvas is the only decent part of my painting! 😘 Thanks for the video, Roisin.

[@caronboler4048]

Thank you. You made it easy to comprehend. I’m lucky, I love my signature so it’s easy for me 😊.

[@gbtpsotf]

I paint abstract and there isn’t always a definite way the piece should be hung so I sign on the back of the canvas to enable the client to choose how it gets hung! If it’s a commission piece I show it to the client before I varnish and if they have strong feelings about a hanging direction then I will sign it wherever they want and then finish it for them - one client wanted it signed through the middle which I thought was a bit weird but she was paying!!! If I intend for it to be hung a certain way I do sign the front or sometimes the side of the gallery wrapped box canvas - this is most often with multiple canvas pieces.

Gary Brown Thanks Gary, that’s a good point 😄

[@cohencohen54]

I use Micron pens for works on paper. They are made with archival ink.

[@mariawoolrich5549]

Thank up Roisin for your video. Questions I often want to ask. You have answered.

[@LB-vl3qn]

Thank you for explaining this so well Good common sense here. ~ Lisa

[@tashawaters89]

Thank you! I wasn't sure if I should sign some stuff. I sign my initials!

[@TeodoraDimitrovaArt]

This video was super helpful ❤ Really valuable advice❤ Thanks for sharing all this info

[@crisalidathomassie1811]

Thanks so much for the tips about signing your name. Looking forward to see more of your videos. Best wishes.

[@barbaramclean9076]

Thanks for sharing the tips on signing. Great advice🇨🇦

[@DremicosART]

These are really good tips.

[@ms.angiesclassroom3189]

Thank you for your advice. One thing I'd add with regard to watercolor pieces. If you are planning to submit a piece for a competition, check with the organizers first. More often than not, the preferred way of signing a watercolor is underneath the painting, bottom right, in ✏️ pencil. 😉

[@Drawing-Life]

This video is so great! I've looked for this information ALL OVER, and there is nothing that explains this really vital part of the process. I have never signed my paintings, but now I know exactly how and why and about the importance. Also was never clear about signing on the back, thank you for explaining!! And signing editions. Thank you Roisin!

You're so welcome :-)

[@dawnabsolom2168]

Thank you for this information, I don't always sign, so I will in future.

[@yemeniflowers422]

Thank you for a very informative video.

[@2LIVCREATE]

Thank you so much for sharing tips and advice! It's very helpful.😊💕

[@williamnordeste9653]

Signing my work brings me some kind of joy. Almost as much as the work itself. Your talk helped me understand this.

[@Junior-jw1bb]

I use a liner brush to sign my paintings, it works well with acrylics and oils .

[@krismcgraw126]

Loaded with info here. Wish I would have seen this before now.

[@ellenkletzkin1016]

What about abstract paintings? An artist may have an intention for the orientation that it should be hung. Then there are abstracts, especially square canvas or wooden boards, where someone who would like to purchase it but prefers a different orientation. Signing an abstract in the lower right hand corner basically dictates the artist’s intention and could very well get in the way of the painting to be sold. Your thoughts on signing abstracts please. Thank you.

[@lillyfair8816]

If you are selling the work as a piece of home decor, orientation may not matter. If a unique work of personal vision or aesthetic (i.e. work of art), however, I propose that orientation the artist intended does matter. Ultimately, the purchaser of a work of any artist, abstract or not, : Holbein, Rodin, Mondrian, Pollack, Leonardo, Monet, can display the work in any orientation they wish. Perhaps it is only social convention that causes us to display them as the artist intended. I'm not certain that just bc a work is abstract, that the artist had no thoughts on orientation or should forfeit such thoughts to the preferences of a purchaser any more swiftly than a non abstract artist. Speaking for myself, as an artist I would sign as I wished reflecting the orientation I preferred ( if I had a preference). And as a purchaser, I would feel I am purchasing the vision as well as the product of the artist and would wish to respect that.

[@juliannewilliams7402]

Thank you for your advice.. it is appreciated.

[@mitzianderson4049]

Very helpful

[@marthakeller2602]

Thanks so much for the tutorial on signing!

[@carolchanner]

I sign my initials,CjC, with a heart over the j. I add the year (ie: '24) just below it.

[@deborahrech7429]

Very helpful and clear! Thank you, I was wondering about that worked.

[@Neorhim]

Signatures. Underestimated, interesting topic.

[@kermitemkuklak2992]

Very grateful advice... I'm getting back into oil painting, switching from computer art temporary- who knows what will happen, but there's still nothing like a good set of oil paints on canvas. Very intuitive advice, thank you so much

[@shelbygrimes8460]

This is awesome information! I'm going to be starting my own small business and I did not know half of this information before I watched this. Information like how big the signature should be, including extra info about the painting or any piece really and what happens when you use more than one signature. Thanks for sharing this info! 😁

[@barbarahartgerink8064]

I learned so much! Love your lecture style, too. Thank You so much.

[@maryaikens6712]

I have been doing a cartouche in the front which is basically etched into the painting when I paint impasto with oil paintings. I also add the information of the dimensions on the back of the painting.

[@BarbaraTristan444]

Great Presentation 👍 Ahh... Yes! 📝 My Infamous Signature I am almost 64 years old (as of 2022) I have been doing Art all of My Life! My Mom said I was doing Murals on the walls at the age of two years old. She went on to say it wasn’t just scribbling but actual images. OK... so anyway I have had a lot of Different Names over the Years! LOL 😂 OH My Goodness!!! I could write a whole Book on that Subject. I do Totally Agree on the Importance of Picking something & Sticking with it so People can find You! I have more signatures than I can count 😉💁‍♀️ I feel like when I am gone people will refer to My different Signatures as “Periods of Time” in My Artist Journey!!! ...Ha-Ha 🕛

[@debhalld9794]

Same here, LOL!

[@doreentracey9815]

Thanks so much - most informative.

[@miss-asketches5284]

Thanks for the validation. I've argued with some other artists for years about signing or initialing on the front of my work. Any further info goes on the back. 👍😉

[@shelleydavid3896]

Thankyou would love to see examples👍

[@deborahhoy2187]

This was a very helpful video. Thank you

[@creativetips97]

At first I didn’t want to watch a 20 minute video but this was very helpful information. Are there any tools to sign artwork 🖼 using some kind of paint marker? I find it challenging to sign with a brush.

[@parisasun2541]

Excellent !

[@stephanieh930]

very useful info., thanks!

[@hifgdt]

I always try to camouflage my signature. You can definitely see it if you look for it but it doesn't stand out all crazy. It's kinda my thing.

[@connectionoflivesandinterests]

*Thank you So Very Much for this Great Info. I'm a newbie to painting & looking for all the info I need to do before selling. I just Subscribed. 🤗🤗🤗*

[@buffykei1196]

Thanks for this video. I paint impasto in oils and I really like the idea of using that wipeout tool for my signature. I am currently using an old Bic biro for this as I can write neater with something I am used to but I have ordered some wipe out pens to try as well.

[@clairepisanihughes3161]

Please may you give me the name of the brushed one may use for the signature. Many thanks for sharing.

[@Fisayoo]

Hi thanks for the tips. Please how do you sign a Triptych painting?

[@yopestevens1505]

I vote you for "best question"! Did you find an answer anywhere?

[@QueenBee-mk8xm]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@janewong4862]

How do you suggest signing master copies/replicas?

[@red-g7081]

Grateful TY great advice

[@nancyl6745]

Thank you, that is very helpful!

[@zenoist2101]

if you use acrylic paints or mixed media you can buy things called acrylic permanent markers and use those.They are like pens that use acrylic paints.

[@Angela-jy8um]

Great video!

[@FergusonArt]

Can you do up your signature and use a stamp if you have a long name?

[@alisonmike2912]

I am fairly new to painting and signing them has been a bit of a trial , I feel a bit embarrassed like I'm boasting look at me, I did this ha ha , I feel in a painting that hasn't got much in it the signature really stands out like a beacon, but I'm getting over it slowly ,so thanks for the tips .

[@tamarasharmini7813]

Good advice. Thank you

[@ioannistsovolos2188]

Hi Ro...bet your tea went cold:):).Very good video btw i am making 5out of 7 mistakes... All the best Ioannis from Athens Greece

Ioannis You’re so right! Don’t know why I bothered with the tea! 😄

[@yopestevens1505]

Securi TEA blanket, ha ha! ;)

[@j.gonsalves]

Lovely vid! Watched all the way through. Question Ro, what what you recommend for a full bleed print on paper? Sometimes I’m asked to make a large format one off stencil or screen print (not a series) & I’m procrastinating because it falls between a painting and printed poster. I get anxious and then just wanna sign the back lol. Thanks!

[@norjavaart9934]

Thanks a lot for your sharing..👍👍👍♥️♥️♥️🌹🌹🌹

[@seapossumsforrest8162]

Great information! Thank you!

[@shaash5236]

Hi. This is the first time I’ve come across You so I went to look up your paintings. Oh my goodness, they are beautiful! (I didn’t catch the name of the signing tool...)

[@williama6710]

I'm in love !

[@annemiekebelgraver7400]

Very good information, thank you!

[@grandma.p]

This is helpful information. I haven't been doing this.

[@franksullivan1873]

Can you sign with a fine point marker?

[@jennysmy7528]

Thanks for the video, very interesting. I have been painting for many years and when we were studying for our degree in fine art, we were advised by our tutors not to sign on the front of the painting. Since then I have been generally signing on the back, probably erroneously. However, my work has changed, and I have been considering whether to find a monogram. I will take on board what you have posted and rethink.

[@maureenserafini1949]

Lot's of good information, thank you!

[@susanmarcoux7005]

What if you were to use a stamp? If you had say 3 sizes that would accommodate various sized work.

[@suetraviss8888]

I have done an acrylic painting that is heavy body black satin paint on a matte black background. I have no idea how to sign it so it shows up. It’s sort of a canvas texture, so using an acrylic marker isn’t the best idea (I thought of using gold or bronze) because the acrylic pen will go into the slight grooves and become illegible. Help!! 😁

[@mixedmedialife7916]

Thank you! I found this interesting and helpful/informative. I always look for the signature in the bottom right-hand corner. I realize that some people have their reasons for putting it on the back but if I can't see the signature then I can't talk about the artist or look up their other work! I particularly liked the idea of making one's signature an extension of one's self and style of art.

[@robertfay1150]

Most helpful thanks

[@dawndail]

You say you have a place we can purchase that tool for signing g but your website leads to your you tube channel again and I don’t see where to find your suggested fav products. Help?

[@nancyl6745]

Could you offer tips for singing in oil? I used to paint in watercolor and I am finding it difficult to sign in oil. I dont generally paint impasto. Thank you. Great video!

[@mslightbulb]

I looked at this because I have two paintings, I just finished one and the other has been missing a signature for months.

[@Molyneux926]

I do fluid artwork as well as realistic or abstract pieces which can be signed. Where would you recommend signing a piece of fluid art that often doesn't have a definable "right way up" or bottom right hand corner.

[@ruthinman6921]

Have you any thoughts on COLOR of the signature? I tend to make it a complementary color... so that it doesn't Jump out at the viewer, I don't always use Black... maybe even a shade of whatever color is in the bottom corner, but darker or lighter.

Ruth Inman yes, usually use something from my pallet. Dark or light enough to be seen but not distract.