Why I only offer open edition prints

[@danielmcgowan4970]

Hi Ellen, I am an old dumb artist. Sold my first drawing at the age of eleven and only ever sold drawings until I was 69 and it was at that age I started Painting. Now in my 86 year I have only finally just started to sell Copies and Prints as I had a bee in my bonnet about only selling originals. Your advice is so good and true. Sometimes ones ideals, shoot you in the foot, or in my case pocket. I dare not think back to all those years and the Thousands of sold original drawings and paintings, that I could have earned extra income from. Thank you Ellen for blowing away the cobwebs. Bless you.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Daniel, how incredibly kind of you to respond to my video; I wish you nothing but the best!

[@danielmcgowan4970]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio You too Ellen. God Bless.

[@shonaranae4588]

I have heard it said that selling prints can even increase the value of the original painting. I like the idea of open ended prints.

[@lanceevans1689]

It can happen. The sale of prints acts like an unintended marketing campaign driving awareness of the the original work. But, if an artist isn't already well known, such viral reaction is obviously less likely.

[@christopherblalockfineart3557]

If I were to do prints, I would opt for open ended. So far, my main income has been from the sale of originals, so for now at least, I do not offer prints. To your point about owning the rights to your own work, you are 100% correct, but let me share a quick -cautionary- anecdote about that. My wealthiest collector purchased a work from me, which it turns out, another collector wanted also. So, I painted it again and sold it. The owner of the first painting was livid and did not buy from me again for years! So yes, we have the rights to our intellectual property, we also need to make good decisions on reproducing work!! Cheers and stay well!!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for sharing that story - I completely agree, there are exceptions to every rule and we do need to make good decisions.

[@JesDickerson]

If you do decide to do prints of a commission I would make sure to get written consent from the photographer because technically they own rights to the photograph. If Aunt Mary took a picture of her cat and you draw it, the original image is still hers. You can’t assume that just because you drew it it’s yours. Copyright stuff is so dicey.

[@MerwinARTist]

Totally agree! How many of us have actually seen an original of VanGogh etc.? The print is like an advertisement for the Original. A print makes the original more valuable! :-)

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Love your thought process, thank you for your comment :)

[@MerwinARTist]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio I enjoy listening to you share your thoughts with the rest of us. I went to Commercial Art School .. so basically was trained to work as an "advertising agent" .. like designing labels, blueprints, etc. The teaching process was not designed to teach an artist how to become an independently successful artist. That is a whole nother world. Think of it this way .. if we were to draw a $100 dollar bill .. we could land in jail if it was good enough that it might pass as the real thing. IF on the other hand we worked on a painting .. several .. maybe 10 - 20 .. (like you do) .. have 100 prints made .. sell the prints for $100 ea. = 10,000 Keep the original. :-) I know that this works .. but that doesn't mean I'm a $$$Wealthy$$$ Artist .. I'm not .. too busy doing a lot of other things .. and at 70 realize that life is really short. Everything I do .. involves an artistic mind. I think artistic minds need to learn from each other. I learn from you! All the best! :-)

[@tobiaswaaentz9929]

Thank you so much for this video! I think it’s a very important topic as many artists seems to have the idea that selling prints is wrong. It’s nice to hear this from someone who lives doing it. 👍⭐️✨

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

You are so welcome! I'm glad you found it helpful, Tobias!

[@ByGraceThroughFaith777]

How do you only have 22k subs? You're so helpful and the way you deliver your content is so to the point and easy to understand. Many thanks!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

very kind of you Frank, thank you!

[@ByGraceThroughFaith777]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio you're the best

[@Callistobeaut]

I'm so happy I found this video, I'm an artist and I very much align with what you've said here. I'm thinking about doing a limited print run, but most of my art is available with open print runs. I love making my art accessible to others.

[@rockhoundingwithjasperblue]

Thank you. This Definitely helped me, as I am NOW aware of what ‘open edition’ actually means. You make some other great points as well. I am by no means, young in age. But definitely young in my experience selling my art. In fact I dread even thinking about the selling part. But you are a blessing, letting us know what we might expect from this ‘not-so-fun’ part of being creative. Thank you, Ellen, so very much!💎

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I'm so glad to know you found this video useful!

[@seraphheart5801]

I agree. Thank you, this was very helpful!

[@deborahbarbaccia6813]

I've been trying to get myself organized and get a handle on pricing my artwork. Because I know this is what I should be doing with this chapter of my life. Also weather to do Open or limited addition prints. I was leaning towards Open and you've convinced me that yes. That's the way I want to go. I also have made cards from my original art. I've sold more of those that anything. I checked out your Facebook page, followed you, plus looked at your Etsy site too. I've also been using a local print shop to scan and print my art. QUESTION ❓ would you suggest giclee prints to be a more professional finish? Question ❓ what are your thoughts on Etsy pros and cons? Thank you you've really got me going. Given me some answers I was looking for. I was feeling stuck not knowing what to do. You've really been helpful already. You have nooooo idea. Your very clear, and explain things well. Thank you again ☺️

[@markielinhart]

Great video. Another thought, what about limited run prints (in my case photo) and then further print runs based on demand - like books…✌️

[@hannahcrumley3103]

Thank you Ellen! I was just trying to decide this very thing! I have learned so much from your videos! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I'm so glad I could be helpful, Hannah!

[@jonncotton]

Thank you. I've been wondering the same thing. Excellent video. Just what I need at this point in my artistic aspirations! You're the Best!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I'm so glad it proved useful to you, Jonn! :)

[@lunaazul5244]

That was really good information for any start up artist 🎨. Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video! 😊💕

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@karenfinneganart2480]

This was great Ellen. Definately food for thought. Thank you ❤

[@PerryNorgarb]

Hi Ellen, I've just come across your Yt channel. Succinctly delivered, but more importantly you've helped me make up my mind to go OE route. Have you considered the NFT space yet? I've just bought my first one, but will test the waters in the next few months. Very exciting! Thanks again!

[@judybreedlove5348]

Thank you, Ellen. Another helpful chat. I do mostly commissioned watercolor animal portraits. So, of course, I wouldn't make prints of them for the reasons you stated. I will be showing them on my website as examples of my work, tho. Your point that you can make more money selling prints, rather than originals, makes a lot of sense to me. I am debating, with myself, the cost of doing my own prints, rather than having them done elsewhere; because of the expense of the ink. I guess it would depend how famous I become (LOL).

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Early in my career I outsourced for prints and had them sent to my home. It was more cost effective to do this because I wasn't selling them on a daily basis. When the shipping charges began to outweigh my profits, that's when I decided to purchase my own printer. You'll get a feel for when it's time to invest in a printer, Judy. Till then, I think outsourcing is a good strategy!

[@hannahcrumley3103]

I am in the same boat right now, looking for a good place to outsource to!

[@peterclark5107]

I certainly agree with all that you are saying here Ellen and it ties in very much with the nature of your paintings both from the economic standpoint but most particularly with your 'series' the wide availability for lovers of your work. I paint fairly large works in oils and , maybe because of the medium or my thought processes I haven't really considered prints (Hmm, curious). Though you do make a sound case for keeping that option especially in these uncertain times. (Handily, I do make bespoke furniture too)

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thanks so much for your thoughts, Peter. I admire artists like you who create those larger, powerful works; true labors of love, they are.

[@peterclark5107]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio , Well, firstly thank you for that, but Hey, Come on Ellen you should take a 'REAL' moment to look at your work as others do and see how awesome your pieces are with a depth to them that helps any viewer connect to a beauty beyond the image. As an aside you might do me a favour sometime and tell me if you think my painting encouraging respect for women in India could speak clearly enough to offer the image to women's groups in that country. (needs text with it) At... peterclarkstudio.co.uk I'd be grateful. [earth,air, fire,water,ether clockwise]

[@GeorgePencilArt]

I enjoyed your art vlog! Is so timely for me as I will be deciding print options soon. I was thinking of doing limited edition prints only, and before this video, I had switched to leaning toward open edition, my reason being so that I could also save on the hassle of printing them myself, trips to the post office, returns and such, increased customer service. I really had not considered your method of printing them myself and doing them as open edition. Do you sign yours then, so that adds an extra bit of value? (or does that really add much value, and enough to compensate for the hassles of printing, shipping, post office trips? I am thinking the timesaver of going through a 3rd party drop shipper might be the best choice for me. We'll see what I come up with in a month or two.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Hi, George! Absolutely I sign them and I have found that 99% of my customers want them hand-signed; it makes them more personal and special. For my larger prints, and because I drop ship those, I state on my listing that they are digitally signed, however, if the customer wants it hand-signed, to contact me for a new price quote.

[@stephaniepotterart]

Hello to you both! I find this conversation very timely for me because I’m just now moving in this direction. I’m a mosaic artist and it’s a time consuming process but I want this full time. Ellen do you have any advice on who to use for printing? The companies I’ve found are pricey. I know there’s Fine Art America but then I’d lose the option of signing my work. Do you have any insight for me, please? Lol! Thanks and have a great day!

[@stevsanswers]

Art law is interesting. Can someone recommend a reference book on art law so I can study it?

[@MrAddison79]

So do you leave the numbering out? Or how do you do that?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

That's correct; I don't number my prints, only sign them.

[@MrAddison79]

Ok thank you! I appreciate you getting back to me!

[@Bhakti_Chakra]

Thank you for the information, Ellen. Do you print your smaller prints yourself? If so, what kind of printer do you use? Your videos are so helpful.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I'm so glad you're finding my videos helpful! :) I use a Canon pro 100 series printer. I have a few videos where I discuss this, but I go into a bit more detail in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnWsh6OYj62Sgdk (you can fast forward to 9:55 to get to that part faster).

[@josephramone5805]

Very informative video!! 👍🏻💯

[@starvingartistscollective]

As a ceramics artist I have the similar issue to some degree between what I make as a one off product and what I choose to slipcast multiple times....though both processes are time consuming!! Thank you for your thoughts on art business! So much of what you say is relevant across different disciplines. Also can't help but notice that lovely cup? soup dish? with the curled handle that sits behind you to your left, which artist made that? TFS!! PS it seems your comments section being spammed.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for your comment, and how exciting to know you're a ceramics artist! I greatly admire anyone who creates with clay. I took a class in college and again a few years ago, and if I weren't a painter I'd love to be doing that (unfortunately I'm not very good! lol) The soup cup and matching plate that it sits in front of was made by a friend of mine named Diana Brower of Crop Circle Clay www.etsy.com/shop/cropcircleclay I just love her work! If you have a website, I'd love to see your wares!

[@harrydance1969]

Simple solution and what happens in professional circles around the world... A certain dimension of a print (say A3) can be a limited edition but any other size of print can be open edition prints. This is very common? Love the KZbin vlogs and the hair!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I hadn't heard of this before; very interesting!

[@lanceevans1689]

This is not uncommon. But you need to be careful to not cross a line. For example, some/many publishers have created a limited edition at one size, say 1,500 copies. Then produced the very same image either at a different size, or on a different paper. So a collector thinks they bought one out of 1,500, when in reality it may be more like one out of 10,000 or more. Dali images were best known for this, and his publishers got into a range of legal issues. Plus, the value of his prints dropped, and it opened the door to a lot of counterfeiting of his images. The art world has always been fraught with such stories. Being open about what is/isn't being offered, should keep you away from problems.

[@claudiaduncan3419]

So i have been only painting and sold everything original, and probably way to cheap.. I'm 55. I just now am having made prints from a new canvas painting. How and where so you number it if it's open edition?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Hi, Claudia :) If you are asking where to number open edition prints, you don't have to worry about that because you don't number those - only limited edition prints will need to be numbered, and for those (when I used to offer them), I sign and number them in the lower right hand corner of a print.

[@Redskirt]

Ellen, I would love to see the print you discuss as you talk about it. Could you perhaps show us an image of the print in your video?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for the feedback, Lea. I will take that note to heart!

[@palletcolorato]

You are correct that people usually buy either originals or giclee prints.I sold one giclee print to a guy in the USA. There was a flaw, so he gave it to his nephew. Then he ordered the original after all. When he compared the original to the giclee print, he couldn't tell the difference. So he thought I ripped him off. Sigh. I use very thin paint. It didn't matter to him that a signed certificate of authenticity was included. Geez! That clinched it for me. I no longer sell originals. If people ask for one I say, "You might as well save your money and purchase the giclee print bc. you most likely won't to be able to tell the difference." Oh ya, the guy who purchased the original decided he would bad mouth me all over the Internet. Well isn't that peachy.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Just....wow. That is quite the story. I'm sorry that happened to you!

[@palletcolorato]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio Thx. I don't know what gets into some people. Two years ago I had a retired Naval Pilot no less state, " I am an expert in Photoshop (and other Adobe applications) and have compared your “painting” with the original photograph. I’d bet dollars to doughnuts that you “shopped” the original photograph and then had the resulting digital image “printed” on canvas." So I sent him a "Cease & Desist" Demand re Aviation Art - via email. His responses were absolutely INSANE. WTF?! As I explained to the man, "It's a gift I was born with." Artists like myself didn't die out with Michelangelo. Not that I'm as good as he. But you get my point. UGG!

[@palletcolorato]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio I keep reminding myself of the quote, "Your value does not decrease, based on someone's inability to see your worth,"

[@palletcolorato]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio It's the ignorance that really bothers me. Have these people never heard of "Camera Obscura" - Grid Lines or a Pointing Machine used by carvers of marble? Sorry, I get so frustrated some times.

[@pampeters4033]

How do you even do prints? I have a closet full of paintings!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I have several videos on prints - from creating to shipping them. This one will get you started: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnWsh6OYj62Sgdk

[@TaraSueSalusso]

Do you think that the buyer of the original piece of art feels like you have the devalued their piece of art by having prints made of the same piece?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

When I had a customer interested in an original painting, I would make a point to let them know that I retained all rights to the image, and that I had the option to create prints if I chose to do so. This way the buyer is aware before making the purchase. Personally, speaking, I’ve never had anyone not purchase one of my paintings for fear that I would create prints. I appreciate your question!

[@serenityjewel]

If an artist makes a commissioned painting from a client’s photograph, the artist does not have the right to sell prints of that painting without permission of the actual photographer and I would get that permission in writing. The photograph is a work of art in and of itself and making a painting of it does not invalidate the rights of the photographer. Just like a photographer can’t sell prints of a photo they took of someone’s painting without the artist’s permission, artists can’t copy a photograph and sell prints of it without the photographer’s permission.

[@alinatulliart812]

Hi Ellen! A bit of topic question but I was wondering if you asked for people to leave Etsy reviews? I made 4 sales on Etsy so far, and all of them from people I don’t know, which is exciting. It’s been a while since my last sale though and I wonder if I should ask the people to leave reviews to improve my algorithm..what do you think? Is it too much to ask?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Yes, I do ask for reviews, and there is absolutely nothing wrong in doing that. It's just important to follow proper etiquette, meaning, ask only once and word it in a way that doesn't make them feel obligated. I do this by adding a note in with my items. I also offer an added incentive by offering a 10% coupon if a review is left. I hope this helps!

[@alinatulliart812]

Ellen Brenneman Studio thank you!

[@user-rp6bn8qt1b]

Is this considered an open edition print? # 1512 Legendre The Metro Museum Print Editions Exclusive Reproduction. A neighbor of mine gave this to me. Thank you

[@lanceevans1689]

An open print edition does NOT include the fractional numberings like 55/500, which means it is print number 55 out of a LIMITED EDITION of 500. An open edition can still number the individual print, but not give the edition limit number (as there is no self-imposed limit).

[@user-rp6bn8qt1b]

@@lanceevans1689 Thank you

[@shadowartist8892]

You have the most beautiful hair on the planet, Ellen! I just started putting prints on Redbubble because I haven't got the money or space for a giant printer and having to maintain all those inks......not my cup of tea. I was going to only do proper art prints on there, but I found out that my paintings look amazing on other tings, so I guess I dropped my standards to make money---which I need. But, despite all that, I think the originals have something special about them. I see that artists make most of their income form prints, and even if your originals don;t sell for a good price because you're a nobody at this point, they will only increase in value as your collectors find you. That's what I think anyway..

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Wow, what kind words - thank you so much! And you're so right - there is something magical about originals. Personally, originals are the only works I gravitate towards - I think as an artist I like to be able to 'see' the texture, the paint strokes, the pen marks, etc...there's a certain energy about original work that has an effect on me - but that's just my interpretation; there are so many people who feel that same sense of 'magic' about prints; just personal taste :)

[@ataattosbt]

Limited edition prints would demand a far higher price but as to an aftermarket there is no online site I know of which handles that for fans who discover your work later. I know because I handled direct marketing of graphic art back in the 1980s and things haven’t changed.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

That is fascinating, Diana - thank you for sharing your thoughts on this!