Special delivery of a special portrait.
I am looking forward to delivering a special portrait to a client this week. All portraits are special, but this one’s a little different; it’s a “fine art” portrait.
What’s different about a “fine art” portrait you may ask. Well it’s all in the finishing. The same care and precision into posing, lighting, and composition is present in all the portraits. The same attention to detail in colour balance, enhancements, and embellishments applies to every image I process. That’s where the similarities end.
The fine are print is duplicated and further adjustments are made taking into consideration the paper, ink and printer the image will be made with. The “fine art” images are printed on fine art textured fiber paper instead of photographic paper. The same kind of paper an artist would use to paint on. This allows for the dyes of the ink to sink into the fibers of the paper making a more permanent image with greater longevity. The texture of the paper becomes part of the image making it standout from all other photographic images.
Once these adjustments for paper and ink have been made and I am happy with the image, test prints are made to make sure the image has the desired colour, brilliance, saturation and density. The test print is made on the same type and batch of paper that the final image will be on. It is examined under several different lighting conditions to confirm the accuracy of the image.
In this case, a 10 inch test was made of the portrait which would finally be printed 16×24 for the client’s home.
When everything is right the final image is made. The print is then allowed to “gas” for several days, allowing the inks to permanently dry and release any bi product that may be produced in the printing process.
If you have worked with wood you know finishing brings out the grain, texture, and brilliance. The same is true with the “fine art” portrait. I use my own special blend of a satin and matte varnish that will bring out the vibrant rich colour of the image yet does not have a shine that will deter the viewing pleasure. I apply multiple layers of the varnish, examining the print after each layer.Once satisfied with the finished image it is bound to hard board, just like a painting. (The next time you visit a gallery look at the medium description and you will often find that they are paper on board or canvas on board or artist board.)
The “fine art” portraits are a complete unit and come framed.
In order to protect the image,”art” glass is used. It blocks more than 70% of UV light and reduces glare without dulling the colour or brilliance of the image. The frame is made of two different moldings. This compound framing technique accents the portrait much like matting but doesn’t add negative space or size to the art piece.
I can hardly wait to see the look on my client’s face as they unwrap this visual treasure. It’s going to be an awesome week.
