You've decided to invest in a beautiful oil painting
reproduction. You have an idea of the type of painting you'd
like, but you're still unsure about making the purchase. This
anxiety is normal when considering a reproduction purchase for
the first time. Knowing the right questions to ask will enable
you to make a wise purchase.

Unlike machine-generated copies, oil reproductions are hand-
painted replicas of original paintings, which are created by an
actual skilled artist. You're naturally concerned about getting
great quality. Here are four things you should know before buying
an oil painting reproduction.

Know Your Artist

The artist is key to getting a fine reproduction that matches the
original. You'll want an artist who is both talented and trained.
Talent only is not enough. Any good artist can throw together a
reproduction that's similar to an original, but formal training
is usually necessary to be able to match originals precisely. The
artist must be able to study the original artist's hand strokes,
style, etc. to get a true grasp on how to recreate the painting.
It's best to buy from a company that specializes in reproductions
and has experienced artists available at all times.

Know the Techniques

Another important thing you should know about reproductions is
how they're created. What materials were used? What methods were
used to put the painting together from start to finish? The
entire process of creating a reproduction is important - not just
the painting. The canvas, oils, brushes, lighting (while
painting) each contribute to the finished work.

Know the Important Terms

Here are several terms you'll need to be aware of when
considering an art reproduction:

1. Canvas - Find out if the canvas used is of high quality.

2. Oils - The oils used should also be high quality for long-
lasting beauty.

3. Stretching - When buying online, your painting might arrive
rolled up and unframed. In this case, you or someone will need
to stretch the painting onto stretcher bars (wooden bars attached
to the back of the stretched painting) before framing. Check
with local framing shops to see if they will do this for you.

4. Varnishing - Varnish protects your painting reproduction from
light rays and humidity. Find out if the painting has been
varnished, or if you will need to do it yourself. If you plan to
do it yourself, you'll have to wait about a year for the painting
to dry completely. Varnishing is optional.

Know How to Care for Your Reproduction

If you find a great reproduction painting, you'll want to care
for it the right way. Before making your purchase, make sure you
have a place to store or display the painting that's away from
direct sunlight and usually dry. Extreme sunlight or humidity can
lead to flaking or cracking over time.

To clean your oil painting, use a soft cloth to dust the frame
and a soft bristled brush to dust the actual painting. Feather
dusters also work very well. Never apply moisture or chemicals to
the painting.

Knowing how to choose a painting and what to expect will help you
make an informed decision. The right oil reproduction painting is
a prize to be treasured for a lifetime.

David De Groot helps art lovers around the world realize their
dream of owning famous pieces of art. His web site offers
affordable reproductions of some of the most extravagant
paintings, each hand-painted by an experienced artist. Browse an
amazing online gallery at: www.myreproductions.com

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