The signature is also part of the work! Introducing the purpose of signing paintings and designs suitable for paintings!
Last updated: June 28, 2023
I am Nozomi Sobue, a calligrapher who is in charge of creating signatures at the signature creation service `` Kokuhide Sign .''
"I draw pictures as a hobby or for work, but I have never thought about signing..."
“I want to know what kind of design would be good for a signature on a picture!”
“I want to actually make a sign to put in the picture!”
I wrote an article for those people!
People who are interested in art have often seen signatures written on paintings, but some people may not be aware of the meaning or purpose of signatures on paintings.
In this article, we will introduce the purpose of signing a painting, the design required for a painting signature, and how to make a signature suitable for actually putting it on a painting!
《Person who wrote this article》
Nozomi Sobue
Representative calligrapher of quick signatures.
So far, more than 5,000 people have created signatures.
In his first crowdfunding on Makuake, he achieved a total support purchase of 26,668,000 yen (first place in Makuake service category).
We create many signatures for people who are active on the front lines of various industries, such as celebrities, models, professional athletes, politicians, doctors, lawyers, and business executives.
table of contents
・To guarantee the value of the painting
・To prevent forgery of paintings
・To make people feel attached to the painting and the artist
Conditions required for a signature on a painting
・Create a design that does not interfere with the world view or impression of the painting
-Avoid designs that are too simple or complex
・Make a design with originality
3 examples of autographs for paintings by famous artists
“Speed Signature” will create the signature you want to put on your painting!
Purpose of signing a painting
Famous paintings almost always have the artist's signature, but do you know what it means to sign a painting?
There are three main purposes for signing a painting:
・To guarantee the value of the painting
・To prevent forgery of paintings
・To make people feel attached to the painting and the artist
To guarantee the value of the painting
The signature on a painting includes the artist's name, initials, and the year the painting was created.
Also, signed paintings are generally valued higher than unsigned ones.
This is because a signature can prove that the painting was created by the artist himself.
To prevent forgeries of paintings
Signed paintings are said to be more difficult to forge than unsigned paintings.
Experts can easily tell the difference between a genuine painting and a forgery, as even an exact copy of a signature cannot express the same level of personality and style as a genuine signature.
To make people feel attached to the painting and the artist
The author's personality is reflected in the design, size, color, etc. of the signature, so by looking at the signature you can get a feel for the author's style and thoughts about the work.
Through autographs, you can feel a stronger connection with the artist, and it also means that it becomes easier to become attached to the painting and the artist.
Conditions required for a signature on a painting
When signing a painting, you need to be careful of the following points:
・Create a design that does not interfere with the world view or impression of the painting
-Avoid designs that are too simple or complex
・Make a design with originality
⚪︎Create a design that does not interfere with the world view or impression of the painting
Although a signature placed on a painting is an important part of the work, it must not detract from the worldview or impression of the painting.
Care must be taken not to make the sign too large or conspicuous, and the design must match the tone, atmosphere, and worldview of the painting.
For example, a bright and colorful painting can have a brightly colored sign, but a dark and subdued painting should have a sign with a simple design in muted colors.
⚪︎Avoid designs that are too simple or complex
If the sign design is too complex, it will be difficult to read, and if it is too simple, it will lack originality and be easily counterfeited, so it is important to have a well-balanced design.
The ideal sign is one that shows originality but is not too complicated, and by being conscious of the balance between these, it is possible to create a sign that meets the original purpose, such as ``preventing counterfeiting'' and ``getting people to feel attached to you.'' I can.
⚪︎Make a design with originality
Signs have the role of expressing the creator's personality and worldview, so they must be designed with originality.
Unique ideas such as expressing your name or initials in a unique design, incorporating motifs related to the work, or using colors used in the painting will lead to originality.
3 examples of autographs for paintings by famous artists
claude monet
"Impression/Sunrise" (1872)
This work is marked "Claude Monet 72" on the bottom left.
This sign has a simple, understated design common to Monet's paintings, and is written small enough not to detract from the overall impression of the painting.
Juan Sanchez Cotán
"Still Life with Hunted Game, Vegetables and Fruits" (1602)
The artist's name and year of creation are written at the bottom center of this work. As with Monet's works, a simple signature is drawn here so as not to spoil the worldview of the painting.
vincent van gogh
"Van Gogh's Chair" (1888)
This is a wooden box containing onions with a sign saying "Vincent" written on it, just like the store's name printed on it. Van Gogh's works are sometimes marked with signatures to blend in with still lifes and landscapes.
By signing a painting in this way, you can express the artist's individuality, commitment, and worldview.
If you want to focus not only on paintings but also on signs, it is best to ask a professional to design your sign, but there may be times when you cannot afford to spend much money on creating a sign.
For those people, the article below introduces a service that allows you to create signs for free, so if you are interested, please read it!
Image of signing a painting
I will post some images of what the quick-drawn signatures I created would look like in a painting, so I hope you will find them helpful.
"MG" (abbreviation speed writing type)
*Calligraphy delivery option applicable
The painting is signed in the lower left corner. Although it has a unique design that resembles a logo, it has been made to have a subtle impression so as not to detract from the overall impression of the work.
"Iwanaga Kei" (English alphabet practical type)
*Calligraphy delivery option applicable
The painting is signed in the upper right corner. The letter "I", which tends to be monotonous, is written boldly, but it is finished to give a sophisticated impression.
“K. Iwanaga” (abbreviated quick-hand type)
*Calligraphy delivery option applicable
I purposely placed the signature in the lower right corner of a bright background so that it stands out. I emphasized the "K" and adjusted the balance so that the outline became a triangle.
If you would like to see more examples of signatures, please read the article below!
I am introducing 60 types of signs that I have created so far, including 20 types of kanji signs, 20 types of English signs, and 20 types of abbreviated signs.
60 examples of sign designs created by calligraphers!
So far, we have introduced signatures that can be placed on paintings, but signatures are used in a variety of situations, not just paintings.
In business situations, it can be used for email signatures, business cards, signing contracts and approval documents, and logos for shops and brands.
In my private life, I do a wide range of activities such as hotel check-in, golf, SNS icons, baggage collection, embroidery on suits, name pens, etc.
The following article introduces how to create a sign suitable for each purpose, so if you are interested, please read it!
13 uses for signs! Let's make a sign that suits your purpose!
“Speed Signature” will create the signature you want to put on your painting!
Quick Signature was a third-party survey of 1,278 people in their 20s to 60s, and was based on ``customer satisfaction'', ``a signature creation service chosen by business owners'', and ``a calligrapher's signature creation experience''. It has been ranked No. 1 in three categories.
Additionally, we deliver autographs in 2 business days, which is the fastest delivery time in the industry, so we recommend this service if you need a signature right away.
Furthermore, by practicing using the included ``tracing sheet'' and ``stroke order video,'' you can learn the signature in about 5 to 10 minutes, so even those who are worried about whether they can learn the signature can use it with confidence.
・Tracing sheet (signature example: Yudai Tanaka) *Brush letter delivery option applicable
・Brush order video (signature example: Akira Uchiyama) *Brush letter delivery option applicable
In addition, we also provide "re-proofreading" for quick signatures.
We promise to proofread your work as many times as necessary until you are satisfied with the design and provide a signature that you are satisfied with.
*The attachments of ``tracing sheet'', ``stroke order video'', and ``reproofreading'' vary depending on the plan, so please check the following for details.
Quick writing signatures are recommended for the following people:
・Those who want a cool sign that suits their purpose
・Those with difficult characters in their names or those with many strokes in their names
・People who were not satisfied with the sign created by another company
・People who have trouble writing neat handwriting
・Those who want to write their name in a cool and smart way
・Those who frequently use signs for work or private purposes
I, Nozomi Sobue, have created signatures for over 5,000 people.
We offer a special experience in which you can use the five typeface signatures developed based on our expert technology and experience depending on the purpose.
Once you make a high-quality sign, you can use it forever as a ``sign for a lifetime'', so please take this opportunity to make your own sign!
Use the coupon to get a quick autograph!
Please copy and use this.
↓↓
sign@column
Summary: The signature is part of the painting! Increase the value of your work by adding a high-quality signature!
This time, we introduced the purpose of signing a painting and the conditions required to sign a painting.
Did you get an idea of what it would be like to sign a painting?
Although the signature does not have a very strong impact on the overall painting, it is a part of the work, and I hope you can understand that it is a very important element.
"Speed-hand signatures", in which a professional calligrapher is in charge of creating the signature, rather than a general designer, are suitable for people working in the arts, such as painters, ceramists, sculptors, and photographers. It has also been well received.
Utilizing the experience and skills I have cultivated as a calligrapher, I will create the highest quality signs that will satisfy everyone.
If you are thinking of creating a signature, please contact Speed Sign!