How I sign my paintings

I have always felt a bit uncomfortable about signing my paintings as I felt it detracted from the image- I didnt want it to draw attention to itself.

Some artists sign the back of the paintings and others have quite bold statement signatures. I wonder if it has anything to do with your personality?

Why Sign a Painting

While it's not a legal requirement, if you don't add your name to a painting, it will be difficult for a viewer to identify you as the artist. You may argue that you have a very familiar style that people will recognize, but unless you are already famous, you may not get the credit you deserve.

If a piece of art is hanging in a gallery, it'll have a label with your name on it, but if it's in someone's home, the owner may forget you are the artist. Or those who purchased it might know, but their heirs might not, especially if it's not identified in their will.

I like to paint my initials in a painted box about a cm square depending on the size of the image. I like to use a colour that I have already uesed so it feels cohesive and ‘belongs’ to the rest of the painting. I like to use a tool such as a brad awl and scratch into the square while its wet. The colour beneath will show through and this will be my actual initials.

Here’s an example. You will find that all my paintings are like this. I also add a title and profile card on the reverse and sign the back of the actual painting before it is framed. Have you ever seen a signature and it put you off the artwork? I know I have!