Giclée Art Reproduction Process:
Museum Quality at an Affordable Prices
by Kevin Pawlowski, Paradise Found Studio
How often do you browse through your favorite art gallery (hopefully Paradise Found Studio!), fall in love with a piece, and are then heartbroken because the price for the original is out of reach for your budget? Giclée reproductions offer a solution that allows you to bring home museum-quality pieces at an accessible prices.
What Are Giclée Reproductions?
Giclée (pronounced “zhee-clay”) reproductions are high-quality prints of original artwork created using a specialized inkjet printing process. The term "Giclée" comes from the French word gicler, meaning "to spray," referencing the method of precisely spraying archival inks onto fine art paper or canvas. This advanced printing technique ensures exceptional detail and vibrant color accuracy, capturing the texture and nuances of the original piece.
Strict quality control is followed with every step of the reproduction process, and carefully overseen by the artist himself.
Step 1: Capturing the Image
Photographing large oil paintings for high-resolution giclée reproductions requires meticulous preparation to capture the artwork's finest details while minimizing distortions.
The process begins with selecting a high-resolution camera, preferably a medium-format digital camera or a full-frame DSLR with exceptional image clarity. A stable tripod and precise alignment ensure the painting is photographed straight-on to avoid perspective distortions.
Lighting is a critical factor. Two identical light sources, often fitted with diffusion filters, are positioned at a 45-degree angle on either side of the painting to evenly illuminate the surface and reduce glare. Additionally, a polarizing filter is attached to the camera lens to work in tandem with the lights, minimizing reflected artifacts while preserving the texture of the canvas and the intricate details of brushstrokes. This technique, called cross-polarization, ensures that the photograph retains the dimensionality and character of the original artwork.
Post-production adjustments fine-tune color accuracy, contrast, and brightness to match the original painting closely. Kevin Pawlowski, the artist of the original paintings, reviews the final scan printed
The result is a high-quality image that maintains the depth and vibrancy of the artwork, ideal for creating lifelike giclée reproductions.
Saint Kolbe original oil painting being expertly imaged.
Step 2: Giclée Printing Process
Giclée is an advanced printing technique ensures exceptional detail and vibrant color accuracy, capturing the texture and nuances of the original piece. If you saw a giclée reproduction next to the original, you would be hard pressed to sell the difference.
One of the key advantages of Giclée printing is its use of pigment-based inks and high-resolution technology, which results in prints that are not only visually stunning but also long-lasting. These inks are fade-resistant, ensuring the artwork retains its brilliance for decades when properly cared for. Additionally, Giclée prints can be made on a variety of surfaces, including watercolor paper and canvas, offering versatility in presentation.
For oil paintings images printed on canvas, a mat varnish is applied to protect the final image and reduce glare.
Step 3: Finishing
Since canvas giclée reproductions are crafted to emulate the look and feel of the original painting, the same care is applied for this finishing work.
Once printed, the canvas is stretched over a "stretcher" frame, a wooden framework designed to hold the canvas taut and maintain its structural integrity.
The stretcher frame is constructed from durable 3/4 inch deep wooden strips. This depth is considered standard in the art world, providing a balance between sturdiness and aesthetic appeal. The 3/4-inch depth ensures that the canvas lies flat against the frame while accommodating various framing options.
Stretching the canvas onto the frame mimics the process used for original oil paintings, giving the reproduction an authentic, gallery-ready appearance. The tautly stretched canvas not only enhances the visual appeal but also protects the artwork, preventing sagging or warping over time. Whether displayed as-is or framed, canvas giclée reproductions offer a professional and timeless way to showcase fine art in any setting.
At Paradise Found Studio, Giclée reproductions of Kevin Pawlowski's artwork allow you to enjoy museum-quality pieces at an accessible price. Each print embodies the essence of the original creation, making it a perfect choice for collectors and art enthusiasts alike.