Frequently Asked Questions
What makes an Original Watercolor so special?
The Original Watercolor Painting is the backbone of Brookside Studio. Robin uses Windsor Newton watercolor paints on 300 lb. handmade paper from France. To give each painting unity, she uses only three colors, cadmium red, cadmium yellow and prussian blue. She then mixes these colors individually and lets them blend together. This makes the subtle colors of each Original truly breathtaking. Because of the personal connection Robin has with each of her paintings, many people consider the purchase of an original to be an investment.
What is a Limited Edition Print?
Limited Edition Prints are copies of an original watercolor painting. Robin works closely with the printer, Pencil in the River Studio in Tonawanda, NY as they painstakingly photograph the original painting, match color and print it using an Epson 11880 printer. What makes a limited edition print special is the fact that the edition has been limited to a certain number of prints. After the edition of prints has been made the image will no longer be available. Each print is signed by Robin and numbered at the bottom of the print image. The bottom number is the number of prints in the edition. The top number refers to the order in which that print was made. People who collect limited edition prints often search for the lowest top number they can find. Accompanying each print is a certificate of authenticity certifying that it is a limited edition print from Brookside Studio.
What is the difference between mats and frames?
When framing a watercolor painting or print there are three components that need to be considered. The first is the backing board. When we frame a piece of art at Brookside Studio this backing board is a piece of acid free foam core.
The next component is the matting. Mats are not simply pieces of colored cardboard (mat board) with a window cut out matching the size of the painting. They are specially treated to be acid free. The use of these boards help to preserve your artwork for many years of enjoyment. Mats are custom fitted to your painting. They come in various colors and textures, and are used as a means to enhance the artwork. At Brookside we choose to double mat all artwork. Double matting gives extra space between the glass and the artwork which is an added measure of preservation.
Frames can be either wood or metal, depending on your taste. Try to have the artwork, mats and frame near each other while making your choices. Sometimes a fantastic looking frame doesn't look so fantastic if the mats clash with its color. All components should complement each other.
What is conservation glass and is it worth the extra couple dollars it costs?
Conservation glass should always be used on a watercolor painting, print or reproduction. It not only protects the art from dust, insects and flying debris from your nine year old son's science fair project, it also protects it from the suns damaging rays. Conservation glass is the wisest choice when framing artwork. This type of glass blocks around 99% of the suns UV rays and can be found at any frame shop. It only cost a couple extra dollars and it will protect your art from fading for years and years.
What's the big deal about "acid free"?
One of the best ways to understand the damaging effects of acid in paper is to look at a newspaper printed today and one saved for ten years or more. The ten year old paper is brittle and yellow, even if it was stored undisturbed in the bottom of Aunt Ethel's doily drawer. The paper turned yellow because of the acid used in the production of it.
At Brookside Studio we use only acid free materials. All backing boards, mats, papers, inks and adhesives are carefully chosen because of their acid free rating.
If I buy a piece of artwork from Brookside Studio, will you mat and frame it for me?
It would be our pleasure to help you through this process. Either stop by the Studio, or give us a call to describe what you need and we'll make sure that your artwork is carefully framed using conservation glass and acid free materials.
Will Brookside Studio do custom framing?
We would be happy to frame your personal photographs, artwork or related memorabilia, i.e. sports, military award related, etc. Simply give us a call so that we can answer any questions you may have regarding this service. No job is too big or too small for our experienced framing specialist.
The Original Watercolor Painting is the backbone of Brookside Studio. Robin uses Windsor Newton watercolor paints on 300 lb. handmade paper from France. To give each painting unity, she uses only three colors, cadmium red, cadmium yellow and prussian blue. She then mixes these colors individually and lets them blend together. This makes the subtle colors of each Original truly breathtaking. Because of the personal connection Robin has with each of her paintings, many people consider the purchase of an original to be an investment.
What is a Limited Edition Print?
Limited Edition Prints are copies of an original watercolor painting. Robin works closely with the printer, Pencil in the River Studio in Tonawanda, NY as they painstakingly photograph the original painting, match color and print it using an Epson 11880 printer. What makes a limited edition print special is the fact that the edition has been limited to a certain number of prints. After the edition of prints has been made the image will no longer be available. Each print is signed by Robin and numbered at the bottom of the print image. The bottom number is the number of prints in the edition. The top number refers to the order in which that print was made. People who collect limited edition prints often search for the lowest top number they can find. Accompanying each print is a certificate of authenticity certifying that it is a limited edition print from Brookside Studio.
What is the difference between mats and frames?
When framing a watercolor painting or print there are three components that need to be considered. The first is the backing board. When we frame a piece of art at Brookside Studio this backing board is a piece of acid free foam core.
The next component is the matting. Mats are not simply pieces of colored cardboard (mat board) with a window cut out matching the size of the painting. They are specially treated to be acid free. The use of these boards help to preserve your artwork for many years of enjoyment. Mats are custom fitted to your painting. They come in various colors and textures, and are used as a means to enhance the artwork. At Brookside we choose to double mat all artwork. Double matting gives extra space between the glass and the artwork which is an added measure of preservation.
Frames can be either wood or metal, depending on your taste. Try to have the artwork, mats and frame near each other while making your choices. Sometimes a fantastic looking frame doesn't look so fantastic if the mats clash with its color. All components should complement each other.
What is conservation glass and is it worth the extra couple dollars it costs?
Conservation glass should always be used on a watercolor painting, print or reproduction. It not only protects the art from dust, insects and flying debris from your nine year old son's science fair project, it also protects it from the suns damaging rays. Conservation glass is the wisest choice when framing artwork. This type of glass blocks around 99% of the suns UV rays and can be found at any frame shop. It only cost a couple extra dollars and it will protect your art from fading for years and years.
What's the big deal about "acid free"?
One of the best ways to understand the damaging effects of acid in paper is to look at a newspaper printed today and one saved for ten years or more. The ten year old paper is brittle and yellow, even if it was stored undisturbed in the bottom of Aunt Ethel's doily drawer. The paper turned yellow because of the acid used in the production of it.
At Brookside Studio we use only acid free materials. All backing boards, mats, papers, inks and adhesives are carefully chosen because of their acid free rating.
If I buy a piece of artwork from Brookside Studio, will you mat and frame it for me?
It would be our pleasure to help you through this process. Either stop by the Studio, or give us a call to describe what you need and we'll make sure that your artwork is carefully framed using conservation glass and acid free materials.
Will Brookside Studio do custom framing?
We would be happy to frame your personal photographs, artwork or related memorabilia, i.e. sports, military award related, etc. Simply give us a call so that we can answer any questions you may have regarding this service. No job is too big or too small for our experienced framing specialist.