How to Make Art Reproductions
You can find reproductions of fine art hanging in hotels, living rooms and student studios. Although art reproduction is not considered a fine art itself, students sometimes develop their skills by studying and replicating the works of the masters.
Professional art reproduction takes training and patience. In order to convincingly and effectively reproduce the work of a master, the painter must not only be a good artist but also incredibly observant and sensitive to different techniques.
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Instructions
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Sketch several pencil studies of the original piece. Study the proportions of the original, as well as the technique of the original master.
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Choose the medium you'll be working with. Match the medium to the type of medium used in the original masterpiece. If the artist did the painting in watercolor, work with watercolor. If the artist did the painting in oil, do the painting in oil.
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3
Place a high-resolution color photocopy of the painting you are replicating in a position where it is clearly visible. Place the canvas or paper on your easel at a height that is conducive to painting.
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4
Draw onto the canvas or paper (if this will be done in watercolor) the basic forms and design of the painting. This should be done lightly and without inclusion of too much detail. Practice reproducing the colors you see in the original painting. Do this on the palette, and mix the colors with the paint brush.
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Paint the first washes of color. Cover the entire picture plane. Work deliberately, with brush strokes of a similar style to the painting you are reproducing. Although the painting you are copying may have thick, textured brush strokes (like a Van Gogh), most artists start with a thin layer of paint and build up from there. At regular intervals, try turning the painting and photograph upside down and compare them.
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Tips & Warnings
Before beginning to reproduce the work you have selected, study the artist that you have chosen. Make yourself aware of the artist's techniques and design choices. This will make the observation of your chosen piece more productive and informed. It is better to look at the actual original painting than it is to look off a color picture, but most people will find this impossible since most art reproduction is done of famous paintings, and most famous paintings are hanging in museums. However, if you have the opportunity to go to the museum where the painting is located, you may be able to draw several studies at the museum. Once you've gotten far into the painting (but before you're finished) take some time away from the canvas. Do not look at it for several hours or days. Return when you have a fresh perspective, make changes as necessary. Stand away from the painting and compare it again to the photograph of the original.
Before you attempt to sell or display the reproduction, show it to someone you trust. It is better if this person has some training in art, and is familiar with the piece you are reproducing. Ask for constructive criticism regarding the form, color, painting technique and brush stroke. Make changes as necessary.
