Painting copies??

Question “Mark. Is it wrong to paint copies of one of my own paintings if they are in demand??”

This is a great question because it touches on a few subjects, so first.

I would not paint exact copies of your original work as the people who buy the first painting believe they are getting an original painting, one of a kind.

So if you then paint an exact copy of that piece even if it is your own work I believe that the people who bought the first painting are being deceived because when you buy an original Art work you do not expect the Artist to go ahead and reproduce another exactly the same.

Also this will become factory work as factories reproduce exactly the same thing over and over, this is not good for any Artist.

Secondly, I believed in doing a series of paintings that are similar but not exact copies, building on a theme.

I always did series because it gave people choices of a similar painting and gave me the opportunity to explore a subject to it’s fullest, each painting was original in it’s own right and could stand alone but was part of the overall story.

Similar paintings in a series but not exactly the same.

Also if you do paint in series I would suggest that you write on the card you place on the back of your painting with all your information something like this, for example,

" Flower series, Roses #1,"

this way people know that there are others of the series out there and it might also prompt them to look at more of the same series and buy.

Some painters find a subject that sells well and so they just repeat and repeat the subject over and over for years and years, just changing colours but retaining the same subject and it becomes factory work, tired and repetitive.

Series are fun to do but once you have finished the series even if it is popular and sells do not be seduced into doing it over and over again.

If you are an Artist, then you are always searching for the new subject or a series to explore, to push the boundaries of your Artistic imagination.

There is always a new subject to paint, a new series to explore, Art is about using your imagination to paint You, always your Art fresh and new.