How to sign a painting and other fine art
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Artist Signatures - Resources for Artists and Art Lovers
What's the best way for an artist to sign a painting?
Should you date as well as sign a painting?
How can you identify the genuine signature of an artist?
Where can I see artists signatures?
These are just some of the questions about signatures asked by artists and art lovers.
This site offers a structured introduction to artists signatures for:
* ARTISTS who want to know more about the best way to sign and date a work of art
* ARTISTS who want help with signatures for specific media
* ART LOVERS AND COLLECTORS who want to know more the signatures of artists from the past and present
Try the three polls which quiz you about your current artistic practice
If you've got a question I aim to provide you with a link to the answer. You can also try leaving a question - see comments - and I'll try to point you to where you can find the answer
You can find out about...
...just click a link and go straight to that topic
- HOW TO SIGN ART
- POLL: Do you plan your signature?
- POLL: Size and location of the Artist's Signature
- Pros and Cons of Signing Artwork - plus TIPS
- POLL: Do you date your artwork?
- Pros and Cons of Dating Artwork plus TIPS
- TIPS: How to Sign a Painting
- How to sign a watercolour painting
- How to create a monogram
- How to sign a fine art print
- How to sign a copy of another painting
- The monogram autograph of the painter Albrecht Dürer
- HOW TO IDENTIFY AN ARTIST'S SIGNATURE
- The history and meaning of the artist's mark or signature
- Examples of Artists Signatures
- John Castagno's Artists Signatures
- Old Masters
- European Artists
- Artists of the Americas
- African, Asian and Middle Eastern Artists
- Abstract Artists
- Monograms, Initials and Symbols - and the Indecipherable
- Services for Art Collectors
- SIGNATURE MEMBERSHIP
- About Signature Membership
- Comments and Feedback
- About Me
Bookmark This Site
New links are being added to this site on a regular basis.
HOW TO SIGN ART
POLL: Do you plan your signature?
BEFORE you start reading - please answer this poll (but please only complete this poll if you are an artist who creates artwork)
POLL: Size and location of the Artist's Signature
BEFORE you start reading - please answer this poll (but please only complete this poll if you are an artist who creates and signs their artwork)
Pros and Cons of Signing Artwork - plus TIPS
PROS
* enables an artist to assert the artwork was created by them
* assists with issues and disputes relating to copyright
* collectors like artwork to be signed
* galleries like artwork to be signed
CONS
* flashy signatures can detract from a painting - and make it more difficult to sell
* no signature creates problems for dealers and those who inherit your artwork
* if people can't read your signature then it effectively has no signature and might be claimed by anybody as their own work
* leaving your signature off means an artist can be "rediscovered" as an artist of merit in the centuries to come - because nobody knew who the artwork was by!
TIPS
* sign your art - somewhere!
* keep your signature simple and recognisable.
* make your signature readable by anybody (not just the people who know you) - illegible signatures help no one
* keep your signature consistent over time helps to avoid misleading people
* signatures are traditionally placed in one of the bottom corners - however you can sign a painting anywhere you like!
* you can sign artwork on the reverse as well as the front
* you may have signature status with your art society - but that doesn't mean you have to include the initials in your signature!
* it's less easy to identify an artist from a monogram or initials than you might think
Note: The signature in the image is that of Vermeer.
POLL: Do you date your artwork?
BEFORE you start reading - please answer this poll even if you don't date your artwork (but please only complete this poll if you are an artist who creates artwork)
Pros and Cons of Dating Artwork plus TIPS
PROS
* dates help to establish an artist's progression and development over time
* dates are very helpful to establishing the authenticity of works of art
CONS
* dates age an artwork and not all collectors like to buy art which is not "fresh"
TIPS
* you can always date an artwork on the reverse. That way you preserve the integrity of the record of any artist's work while avoiding the negative associations with "dated" artwork
Note: The image is the monogram autograph of the painter Albrecht Dürer
TIPS: How to Sign a Painting
TIPS include making a decision about:
* what your artist's name will be e.g. whether to use your full name, surname, initials or a monogram / hallmark
* which name you want to use for your signature (try to stick to this!)
* what's the best way to sign your chosen name - in a way which is not too difficult to do
* whether the colour of the signature will be standard or vary with the overall colour scheme of the painting
* whether the signature will always have a consistent position - or the position will change with the design of the artwork
* whether the signature will be obvious (e.g. red paint) or unobtrusive (e.g. a monogram tucked away in the painting somewhere)
* sign the painting in the same media as used to create the artwork - or you may find one fades faster than the other
* sign the painting BEFORE you varnish or glaze it
* sign the painting BEFORE you frame it!
* use a colour compatible with the artwork - unless you have a monumental ego which demands everything be signed in red!
* date your art - it doesn't have to be the same place as the signature and you can date a work on the back
Below you will find a series of links to articles in which people discuss the importance of a signature and provide some tips on how to do it
- Signing Your Art, Sign Clearly, Signature Tips | artbusiness.com
- Signing your art is an integral part of the creative process. The instant you apply your name to a piece of your art, you declare that art officially finished and ready for public exposure. No matter what your signature looks like, what form it takes or where you put it, no work of your art is complete without one.
- Increase the Value and Prices of Your Artwork - For Artists | artbusiness.com
- I bet you don't know you can take the finished artwork that's sitting around your studio and increase its value right now, do you?
- MAKING A MARK: POLL: Do you sign and date your artwork?
- Introduces poll and includes comments from other artists on what they do
- MAKING A MARK: Do you sign and date your artwork? (Poll results)
- 214 people responded to the October Making A Mark Poll which asked "Do you sign and date your artwork?". This post summarises the findings
- MAKING A MARK: Creating a signature on your art
- One of the perennial issues which comes up time and time again concerns the best way to sign your art. Here's a checklist of things to think about before you sign:
- How to Sign a Painting | painting.about.com
- Find out where, how and why you should add your signature to a painting when you've finished it.
- Portrait Artist Forum - How to sign a painting?
- Now...at the risk of being burned at the stakes, I'll throw this one in the arena:
How do you sign a painting? - Mike Barr - The artist's signature
- I dont know about you, but I have often looked at a painting and wondered who the artist was.
- Artist Signature
- In many respects your artist signature is your trademark, and it is the indicator that you are the artist of a work that is officially completed. .
How to sign a watercolour painting
- How to Sign a Watercolor Painting with your Signature
- Learn where to put your signature. Tips on how, where and why to sign a watercolor painting.
How to create a monogram
- Monograms - Artists' Signatures
- Monograms Monograms and Initialed Signatures This section is arranged alphabetically, according to the letters in the monograms or initialed signatures.
- Create Fancy Monograms in Word | PCWorld
- Personalize documents by adding your initials, logo, or other elements.
How to sign a fine art print
tips and techniques for printmakers
The convention to maintain the distinction between hand-pulled fine art prints and prints which are mechanical reproductions is that
* limited edition fine art prints (ie hand-pulled) are signed and
* unlimited reproduction prints are NOT signed
An artist's name on a print can increase the price by two or more times, and creators generally view signing and numbering works as a valuable source of income for themselves.
What's the value of a signature on an art print - Daniel Grant - Huffington Post
TIPS include:
* Only sign a fine art limited edition print if you approve it (ie you are happy to have your name and your signature associated with this print)
* Only sign limited edition prints
* Make sure the edition number is clearly indicated before you sign - on the bottom left of the print
* Sign close to the edge of a limited edition print - on the bottom right of the print
* Sign in pencil - NOT pen
* Do NOT sign an unlimited edition reproduction print - it's meaningless and you risk being accused of passing it off as a limited edition print
* Do NOT sign any art prints you are not happy with - and make sure you deface them
* Do NOT sign blank pieces of paper - this totally undermines the value of the work
- MAKING A MARK: How to sign an art print
- The Do's and Don'ts of Signatures for Printmakers
Here's a summary of the conventions - and a few tips about what NOT to do - Daniel Grant: What's the Value of a Signature on an Art Print?
- Several years before his death in 1987, Andy Warhol sat down and signed his name on copies of the tabloid magazine Interview, of which he was the editor. Regularly costing $2, he charged buyers $50 for these signed copies and they sold pretty fast.
- How to Sign an Art Print, the Printmaking Conventions
- Fine art printmaking has an established convention for how and where to sign, and what to use for your signature.
- How do you sign a print?
- I have made prints for holiday gifts and I wanted to make sure they were signed and dated before I gave them out. Is there a proper way to go about it? Is there a different way to sign a mono-print as opposed to a numbered print? What medium do you recommend I sign it in?
How to sign a copy of another painting
- How to Sign a Copy of an Old Master Painting
- Find out how you should sign a copy of an Old Master painting so it's evident it's a copy and that you're not trying to pass it off as an original.
The monogram autograph of the painter Albrecht Dürer
HOW TO IDENTIFY AN ARTIST'S SIGNATURE
The history and meaning of the artist's mark or signature
- ArtLex on Signatures and Signing
- signature, signed and unsigned - A signature is a person's name as written by that person, as distinguished from how anyone else would sign either that person's name or their own name. A signature on an artwork usually establishes the identity of its maker.
- Signatures, Monograms, and Markings / American Art
- Be aware that not all names found on an object belong to the artist. For example, previous owners may have written their names on the back of an object.
Examples of Artists Signatures
- Artist signatures - Browse Artist signatures - page 1
- Signature for the artist - art prices. Antique paintings, modern art, watercolor, prints, sculptures and more.
- Signatures and monograms. Find the artist. Auction price
- signature for the artist - art prices. Antique paintings, modern art, watercolor, prints, sculptures and more.
- Category:Monograms of artists - Wikimedia Commons
- Monograms of artists From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
Monograms of visual artists used as signatures on their art - Signature Finder - Artist signature identification
- Identify Artist Signatures with our database containing over 430.000 artist names
This site matches the name you find on a painting to the name and dates of artists in the database - Identify Artist Signatures - a collection of illustrator and commercial artist signature examples
- A Selection of Illustrator and Artist Signatures from the 20th Century
John Castagno's Artists Signatures
John Castagno's research into Artist's Signatures has led to an unparalleled resource for all those endeavouring to identify the signature of an artist. His resources helps to identify the signatures, monograms and initials of thousands of artists from various countries
His lifetime's research is made available via:
* books - specific to the area of interest. These are not cheap! They are however the standard reference books used by galleries, museums, libraries, and collectors around the world. They are used to help identify, authenticate, or verify signatures and works of both well-known and little-known artists.
* an online service providing fast and easy access to a comprehensive database of fine art research information and hand-copied signature examples. This provides a priced access to the research.
The Artists' Signatures website incorporates the contents of all 17 of John Castagno's books as well as additional corrections and unprinted research. Most importantly, Artists' Signatures makes it possible to discover an artist's identity when the only information available is an indiscernible or monogrammed signature.
- Artists' Signatures - Fine Art Research and Signature Discovery Service Directory
- Welcome to Artists' Signatures
By John Castagno, World Renowned Fine Arts Researcher
65,000 Artist Listings - ArtNews - December 2007 - 55,000 Signatures and Counting - Artists' Signatures
- This is a feature article from the December 2007 issue of ArtNews Magazine. It was written by Milton Esterow
- John Castagno's Blog
- Photographs by John Castagno
Saturday, June 14th, 2008 1:43pmVarious photographs I’ve taken over the years are available by clicking here.Uncategorized | Comments (5) Art by John Castagno
Saturday, May 10th, 2008 5:30pmYou can now view my personal art gallery, including my famous series of ar - John Castagno's Blog | Blog Archive | A Mini Biographical Look Into John Castagno
- A Mini Biographical Look Into John Castagno
Who Am I? And Why Am I Who I Am? - About Us / Contact Information - Artists' Signatures
- About Us / Contact Information
What is Artists' Signatures? - Rates and Monthly Plans - Artists' Signatures
- Rates and Monthly Plans
Old Masters
Old Masters
- Old Masters - Artists' Signatures
- This section covers Old Master artists from the 14th Century and born no later than 1800.
Most Old Master paintings usually are not signed; and when they are signed, it is a difficult task to seek them out and record their signatures. The 2,700+ signature examples of the 1,700+ artists listed in this section are the result of seeking out numerous auction sales since 1980.
BOOK: Old Masters II: Signatures and Monograms
Old Masters II: Signatures and Monograms
Amazon Price: $99.62 (as of 05/28/2012)
List Price: $125.00
In the first volume, Old Masters Signatures and Monograms, 1400-Born 1800, Castagno provided identification for some 2,700 signature examples of more than 1,700 artists. In this second volume, there are more than 800 artists listed, with more than 1,100 signature examples. In addition, this volume now treats artists from the early 19th century, thereby broadening the time period covered in the first volume.
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European Artists
European Artists
Artists from Britain and Mainland Europe
- Irish/British Artists - Artists' Signatures
- Irish/British Artists
- Latin Artists - Artists' Signatures
- Latin Artists
- Russian Artists - Artists' Signatures
- Russian Artists
BOOKS: European Artists: Signatures and Monograms From 1800
The second volume, published by Scarecrow in 2007, identified an additional 2,100 artists and featured 3,000 signature examples.
The third volume features an additional 2,800 artists and signatures. In addition to the standard signature entries, the book features sections for monograms and initials, common surname signatures, alternative surname signatures, and illegible signatures.
Less than five percent of the entries in the third volume volume are listed in the original volumes-and these are included to provide additional information about the artists.
BOOK: Jewish Artists
Jewish Artists: Signatures and Monograms
Amazon Price: $146.00 (as of 05/28/2012)
List Price: $150.00
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Great Artists - Resources for Art Lovers
Artists of the Americas
North American Artists
- Canadian Artists - Artists' Signatures
- Canadian Artists
The butterfly motif of James McNeil Whistler
photograph: Katherine Tyrrell
African-American Artists - signatures
- African-American Artists - Artists' Signatures
- African-American Artists
BOOKS: American Artists Signatures and Monograms
books on Amazon
Great American Artists
South American Artists
- Amazon.com: Latin American Artists' Signatures and Monograms (9780810832930): John Castagno: Books
- Amazon.com: Latin American Artists' Signatures and Monograms (9780810832930): John Castagno: Books
BOOK: Latin American Artists' Signatures and Monograms
Latin American Artists' Signatures and Monograms
Amazon Price: $132.80 (as of 05/28/2012)
List Price: $168.30
Used Price: $126.20
In addition to the artists' signatures, each entry includes, if applicable, nationality, birth and death dates, key letters to a listing of reference sources, and the most recent auction results (if any) of the last twenty years. Most entries also include some of the following information: birthplace, schools, countries of work/travel, retrospective/solo/group exhibitions, awards, review and literature sources, and gallery agents.
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African, Asian and Middle Eastern Artists
Indian Artists
- Indian Artists - Artists' Signatures
- Indian Artists - This category includes all Indian artists who sign their paintings using westen characters or various Indian languages, technically called "Prakrit".
- Prakrit (Indian) Signatures - Artists' Signatures
- Since Indian art has recently made a strong appearance in auction sales throughout the world this category will prove to be informatively important for anyone seeking signature examples and reference information on Indian artists.
BOOK: Artists as Illustrators
Artists as Illustrators
Amazon Price: $158.41 (as of 05/28/2012)
List Price: $200.75
Used Price: $42.41
Publisher's description: With more than 14,000 entries of nineteenth- and twentieth-century artists, this book is the most comprehensive international listing of artists as illustrators compiled to date. The entries include illustrators, sculptors, and fine art artists who have done illustrations for books, magazines, records, and posters. Biographical reference keys are provided with each entry. Approximately 4,000 of the listed artists are shown with a signature facsimile.
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Abstract Artists
BOOK: Abstract Artists: Signatures and Monograms, An International Directory
John Castagno (Author)
Abstract Artists: Signatures and Monograms, An International Directory
Amazon Price: $195.30 (as of 05/28/2012)
List Price: $275.00
Used Price: $195.29
This volume - published in May 2007 - includes the signatures and monograms of artists who have spent all or a part of their careers in abstract art. These include painters, printmakers, sculptors, and photographers worldwide.
Circa 3,900 signature and monogram examples of how 2,300 artists signed their works are included in this book.
In addition to the standard signature entries, the book contains sections for monograms and initials, common surname signatures, alternative surname signatures, symbols, and Cyrillic signatures. This book also lists an additional 1,500 artists whose entry bears no signature. All 3,800 artists are listed with the most updated information on nationality, birth, and/or death date
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Monograms, Initials and Symbols - and the Indecipherable
Monograms and Initialed Signatures
- Monogram - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Monogram From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A monogram is a motif made by overlapping or combining two or more letters or other graphemes to form one symbol. Monograms are often made by combining the initials of an individual or a company, used as recognizable symbols or logos. A series of uncombined initials is properly referred to as a cypher (e.g. a royal cypher) and is not a monogram. - Monograms - Artists' Signatures
- Monograms and Initialed Signatures This section is arranged alphabetically, according to the letters
- Illegible Signatures - Artists' Signatures
- Illegible Signatures, Monograms, Initials and Hebraic This section includes signatures, monograms and initials which are difficult to decipher.
- Symbols and Oriental - Artists' Signatures
- Symbols and Oriental Symbols and Oriental Signatures
This section is devoted to artists' signatures which can be described as symbols. Chinese and Japanese characters can also be classified as symbols. The few Asian artists listed in this category have had their art included in exhibits and auctions of Western Art.
BOOKS: Artists Monograms
books on Amazon
Services for Art Collectors
- Art Consultant, Consulting, Sales, Marketing, Prices, Services
- Includes Identifying an artist signature
- Historical Autographs | Painting and Illustration
- typically autographed letters relating to artists and illustrators
BOOK: The Art Forger's Handbook
The Art Forgers Handbook
Amazon Price: $273.97 (as of 05/28/2012)
List Price: $21.95
The international art world was plunged into turmoil when it was revealed in 1980 that many drawings previously attributed to artists as varied as Brueghel, Piranesi, Pontormo, Corot, and Augustus John were in fact the work of the English artist Eric Hebborn (1934-1996). Here, in The Art Forger's Handbook, compiled shortly before his mysterious and untimely death, Hebborn unpacks the secrets of his forging techniques. 64 illustrations. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Top Art Galleries and Museums
Resources for Art Lovers: includes links to top art galleries and museums in Paris
SIGNATURE MEMBERSHIP
About Signature Membership
This is MY definition of signature membership
"Signature membership (for artists) means all those people who have qualified to use a set of letters after their surname and be known as a full member of an art society. The process of becoming a signature member is almost always defined by a set of criteria which varies from art society to art society. It usually means you are also a fully paid up member in good standing as well."
- MAKING A MARK: Signature membership
- What's the definition of "signature membership"? On announcing I'd got my 'signature membership' of an art society, this was the first question I was asked by non-artists! So here's my definition.
- Signature Membership
- Signature Members are committed artists whose work is of professional quality. They have exhibited in galleries, museum shows or professional divisions of open juried exhibition. Click here to see the qualifications for and benefits of signature membership.
- How to Become a Signature Member of the American Watercolor Society and Member Listing
- Any artist who has exhibited in 2 previous AWS Annuals may be considered for membership. Write for details to:FRANK WEBB,5 Grandview Avenue, Apartment 401,Pittsburgh, PA 15211.
- International Plein Air Painters Signature Members
- International Plein Air Painters juried Signature Members.
No Signature applications are being accepted.
Making A Mark
Artist and author Katherine Tyrrell draws and writes about art for artists and art lovers.
Topics include: artists, art exhibitions, art blogs; art history; art techniques and tips; art business and marketing; art economy and making a mark with pastels, coloured pencils and pen and ink.
Making A Mark Reviews......
a consumer's guide to quality and value in art books, art supplies and services to artists
My aim is to try and identify good quality and good value. Read reviews about art books, art supplies and other products and services used by artists.
This blog highlights:
- book reviews (art instruction and art history)
- reviews of art media, art materials and art equipment
- reviews of places where you buy (art shops, online art suppliers and art bookshops)
- reviews of other products or services used by artists
- summaries of good quality and relevant reviews by other practising artists
If you like this resource please give a thumbs up
and/or share with your friends
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Comments and Feedback
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Comments are always welcome and ANYBODY can comment
However please note that all comments are moderated before publication and all html is stripped out of comments. Spam is not published.
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pencil boy
May 8, 2012 @ 8:22 pm | delete
- I liked your post,very informative and helpful.
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ionee_25
Feb 3, 2012 @ 12:08 am | delete
- Thank you for this lens. It is very helpful. Signature is part of the artist's personality and personal achievement.
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PeterStreep
Jan 27, 2012 @ 6:20 pm | delete
- mmm, I do not think there are any rules according to how to sign your work. A lot of great artists do not sign there work, because it is obvious who made the work. Most artist sign on the back of there painting, not because they are shy but simply because a signature is disturbing the picture. Personally I always sign my work + date, but the place depends.
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seosmm
Jan 8, 2012 @ 6:49 am | delete
- Very interesting and informative. Very nice lens!
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nikhelbig
Nov 6, 2011 @ 10:18 am | delete
- A little confused now... I just sign the way I always do...full name 'cos not famous enough to be recognized w initials or monogram... Using the same paint as in the painting... Size and position to match the comp. No date.
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artbyrodriguez
Oct 23, 2011 @ 1:32 pm | delete
- Interesting and informative lens.
I usually go by instinct when signing.
You gave some details I haven't considered.
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efcruzarts
Oct 21, 2011 @ 11:35 pm | delete
- nice calligraphy lens samples
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cffutah
Oct 15, 2011 @ 5:42 am | delete
- special lens indeed on painting detail, enjoyed it, earned a 'thumbs up' from me this morning.
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_Hana_
Oct 7, 2011 @ 8:34 am | delete
- I'm also considering QR code on my art, what do you think?
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makingamark
Oct 9, 2011 @ 9:20 pm | delete
- What's a QR code - and how would you apply it?
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About Me
Who is makingamark?
Resources for Artists and Art Lovers
by makingamark
I'm an artist and writer who enjoys sharing information about art. Making A Mark is rated #3 in the top 25 UK art blogs. I'm also a member of the Giants... more »
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