“A man’s kiss is his signature.” – Mae West.
How should I sign my painting? Always consider your clients. When creating your art, your signature is always part of the composition. How you sign your painting is very important. It affects the whole aesthetic. It’s not an afterthought. It’s the final brushstroke to say, “yes, I’m done!” In Mae West’s words, kiss your painting!
It’s about … Presentation. Presentation. Presentation.
These things should be taken into account when signing:
- Graphic
- Legibility
- Consistency
- Size
- Colour
- Position
- Rotation
- Date
- Medium
The Graphic
Signatures can differ drastically. Some can be printed, scrawled, or be extremely decorative. Does your signature suit your style of art?
What Signature Variation Can I use?
– initials only
– initials and surname
– first name only
– first name and surname
– surname only
It’s a personal choice. Practice various signatures to find out which one will suit you and your artistic style.
The Legibility
My usual signature is a scribble. It’s completely illegible, and often differs from one signature to another. I have now traced my chosen, practiced ‘art’ signature*. It’s more legible for marketing purposes. I keep this signature in a safe place. Your signature is your brand, be proud of it.
The Consistency
If your signature is your brand, it should be similar and recognisable in all your artwork. Your style may change over the years, however, your signature style should always remain reasonably constant.
*Suggestion: Sign your name in black felt tipped pen on plain white paper. Enlarge and reduce it – to give yourself a set of the exact same signature in different sizes. Trace your chosen size signature onto your painting using carbon paper. Using one of the colours from the painting, carefully paint over the tracing with a tiny brush. FYI: Any carbon residue left behind can easily be removed with spit.
The Size
One’s signature should be proportionate to your artwork. If your signature is large and screaming out at the viewer it will overshadow the art.
The Colour
Choose a colour that compliments the painting. Avoid choosing black. In some instances, black may be too harsh.
The Position
Your signature is part of your composition, make sure it’s in the right place. Sometimes the bottom corner is not always the right spot. I have, on occasions, even signed my artwork on the side of the canvas.
Suggestion: Photocopy your signature at different sizes onto a piece of plastic acetate. Move the acetate around your painting to see what size and position works best. Avoid ruining your painting with a badly placed signature.
The Rotation
Your signature doesn’t always have to be horizontal. On certain paintings it may look better in the vertical position. In this case, let your signature ‘run up’ the painting. A ‘running down’ signature has negative connotations.
The Date
Do you add the year after your signature? That’s up to you. I prefer the ‘signing’ to be as understated as possible. One can always write the date on the back.
The Medium
Avoid using felt tipped pen as they fade very quickly. Use paint. To be safe, choose a colour from the painting’s palette. Use a small brush, and if necessary, give your signature two coats. On occasions, I have re-painted my signature several times, in different colours, to get the one I think is best. Take your time. Remember it’s a kiss!
How Should I Sign My Painting?
Make a name for yourself. Treat your signature with respect. It’s your logo. It’s your brand. It’s your marketing tool. Use it well.
“I always thought signing was an artist’s honour and a guarantee of authenticity.” – Robert Genn