Originals, Lithographs, Giclees and Editions explained.
Original Watercolor Paintings are one-of-a-kind, hand done by Sarah. They are created when she applies watercolor paint with a brush onto a rag paper made by Arches of France. Sarah's technique is self taught. Once completed she adds 23K gold leaf to most original watercolors. Sarah signs each original in pencil. Most are then hand-torn to the appropriate size. Unless otherwise requested we frame originals in a technique known as floating, with the watercolor paper mounted above a backround mat, with the hand torn edge left exposed (shown below).
Reproductions are prints, created by 2 types of processes; Lithography and Giclee, both are mechanical reproductions of an original watercolor created by Sarah. She does not reproduce all of her original watercolor paintings, just a select few as reproductions are created in large runs requiring a substantial financial commitment.
Lithography is a printing process which creates a print known as a lithograph. An original watercolor created by Sarah is first scanned by a computer and then the image is separated into the primary color components of Magenta, Cyan, Yellow and Black. Each of these 4 inks are then applied to paper in a layering process. The paper used must be 'flat stock' type, meaning the paper's attributes make it absorb the ink in a slow consistent rate. The 4 inks mix with each other as they are absorbed by the paper, resulting in the full color spectrum. Flat stock paper doesn't tare well, so we frame these traditionally, with the paper's edge hidden under the mats (show below).
Giclee prints (also called Iris) prints are created with an extremely accurate version of an inkjet printer, with the different inks mixing within the printer's nozzle which moves cross the paper applying minute amounts of ink at a time. Because the ink is mixed into the acquired color before it touches the surface of the paper we can use a thick rag watercolor paper that absorbs the ink almost immediately, rendering the best possible rendition of an original watercolor painting. Sarah applies 23K gold leaf to most of her Giclee prints. The thick rag paper tares easily, so we typically frame Giclee prints like her original watercolor with a technique known as floating, with the paper mounted above a background mat, with the hand torn edge left exposed (shown below).
Limited Editions are reproductions (either llithograph or Iris) made in a finite number. Limited Editions are numbered and signed by Sarah in pencil, for example '34/150' indicates the particular issue is the 34th of the 150 that will ever be made. Sarah signs each limited edition prior to printing, so her signature appears twice, once in ink, and once in pencil.
Open Editions are reproductions (either llithograph or Iris) that may be made in any number, and even reprinted when we need more. Open editions are not numbered, and frequently available in multiple sizes.
The printing process (Lithograph or Giclee) is used along with the type of edition (Limited or Open) to describe the various versions of reproductions. such as 'Open Edition Lithograph', or 'Limited Edition Giclee'.
The Collector's Edition is created annually. Sarah creates an original watercolor that she then designates as that year's Collector's Edition. She displays it on her website and brings it to various shows. People who would like to have an issue give a 10% deposit for a reservation. The first person to place a reservation will receive issue #1, the second person issue #2, etc. Sarah collects reservations until December 31st of that year. Reservations are 100% refundable if people cancel prior to December 31st. Soon after January 1st we begin reproducing the image, and distribute the completed issues only to those that have placed a reservation. Collector's Editions are always made in the Giclee printing process, and are available in multiple sizes, either framed or unframed.
