Information: Lenox 100 Drawing and Printmakinag Paper

This fine 100% rag paper is machine made in the USA.  The textured finish of this fine art paper makes it ideal for silkscreen work, offset lithography, etching, embossing, pastel, colored pencil, charcoal and graphite pencil drawing. This 100% rag paper has good ink absorbency and is patterned after European mould-made sheets. It has a beautiful surface and clean white appearance that makes it a favorite for drawing, too. It's machine-made in the USA, out of 100% cotton. Neutral pH, no deckles. 250 gsm weight.  Machine made paper means that each sheet of paper has an even consistency of texture that is not possible with hand-made paper. 

I have been using this paper for more than 30 years with water-based silkscreen colors, collage, and colored pencils for many years.  It has just enough tooth in the texture to hold paint well without being intrusive for fine detailed work.  It is an ideal paper for printmaking using either oil based or water based inks.  Any dry media can be used without problems. It is a fine paper that does not yellow after many years of storage. 

ACEO – ATC – Information: What they are; History

Art Cards, Editions and Originals (ACEO) and Artist Trading Cards (ATC) are miniature pieces of art that measure 2-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches or 64 x 89mm.  

 

ACEO means: Art Cards, Editions and Originals.  ATC stands for Artist Trading Cards. The only real difference between the two is how they are exchanged. ACEO works are generally sold, while the ATC pieces are traded among artists. The ACEO style cam be bought and sold thus allowing everyone to join in the fun of collecting, displaying, and enjoying these miniatures.

 

Media: Any media can be used -- Oils, watercolors, pastels, acrylics, printmaking, graphite (pencil), Prismacolor, ink, pyrography (wood burning), jewels, fabric, glitter, collage – a great new world of art all in a tiny format that is collectible, affordable, fun, and exciting!  The size is the only rule which is 2-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches or 64 x 89mm.  

 

TheACEO or ATC is usually signed on the back.

Collectible treasures, these miniatures are an affordable way to collect original art. They can complement larger art pieces on walls, fill in odd areas where a 'regular' larger piece of art won't fit, and can be displayed in many different ways. They make lovely gifts. They can also serve as previews of an artist's larger works. 

 

History

Art Cards have an interesting history going back a long time. Art Cards or miniature paintings were the rage in the 16th century. Artists who did family portraits were also secretly commissioned by men to paint nudes of their mistresses.  These art cards were the first wallet "pictures." 

 

Early Art Cards were sold by artists -- not traded or given away.  Wealthy people who arranged marriages of their children commissioned artists to do miniature portraits of their sons and daughters which were exchanged during negotiations.

 

French artists were the first to advertise and promote their work by art cards.  In the mid-1700's English artists picked up on the idea of using the Art Cards for advertising their work.  Like standard decks of playing cards, early Art Cards of Europe are larger than ours.

 

Trading of Art Carts started during the Impressionist Period.  Impressionistic Artists traded art cards among themselves to study styles and techniques. Outside the accepted circle of traditional art, the Impressionists also traded or sold Art Cards for supplies, food and lodging

 

The "baseball" cards started to appear in 1887. Not mass produced, the early  baseball cards are now very rare.  During the period of 1902—1935, baseball Cards were mass produced and sold with such items as bubble gum, chewing tobacco and cracker jacks.  Early baseball cards were made in different sizes in relationship to the accompanying product.  The modern 2.5 x 3.5 inch size for sports cards was standardized during the 1960s.

 

ACEO/ATC -- Coveted, Collectible Miniature Artworks

Today there is a resurgence of hand made, miniature art cards for sale and trade. The ACEO and ATC are miniature artworks limited only by size.  Dimensions of the ACEO and the ATC must be 2.5 inches x 3.5 inches, or 64 x 89mm.  Collectables, the brilliant idea of this standardized size evolved from the popular Baseball Trading Cards. The difference between ACEO and ATC is defined by purpose.

 

Artists Trading Cards (ATC) 

Traditionally, the ATC was a single, unique original painting.  However, today printmaking media can be used to issue an edition of multiple originals from the same master image. In recent years the ATC or Artists Trading Cards have only been traded among artists who meet in person, by correspondence, or online to exchange their works for educational purposes and personal enjoyment.  Collectors who were not artists were excluded from the ATC circle. 

 

Art Cards, Editions, and Originals (ACEO) 

To fill this gap and to meet the needs of collectors who wanted to buy Art Cards, the ACEO was born. ACEO means Art Cards, Editions, and Originals. Like the art card rage of the 16^th Century, Art Cards, Editions, and Originals are now being created and offered for sale by artists. The World Wide Web has expanded the possibilities for Art Collectors to acquire ACEO miniatures through both trade and purchase.

 

Editions and Originals                                                                                      

Identical or similar impressions made from a master image are called prints or original graphics.  The series of prints issued from the same master image are called editions. Limited editions are serial numbered in fractions.  The first number of the fraction designates the particular print while the second number indicates the edition limit.

 

Unique, one of a kind (OOAK) ACEO/ATC miniatures are called originals.  A set or suite of ACEO/ATC images based on one theme but are different is called a series.

 

Signing of Miniatures                                                                

On the back of each ACEO or the ATC the artist writes part or all of the following information: Artist’s name, contact information, title of the miniature, name of the series or suite, and the serial number in fractions if it is part of an edition.

 

Small editions and unique originals are sought after by some collectors.  However, art works made with care that are issued in un-numbered editions or editions over 150 impressions are also collectible.  The larger edition or un-numbered editions mean that the collector shares the same image with a lot of other people.

 

Now you can create your own ACEO/ATC miniatures which can be done in any media.  

Artists and designers may use fine art papers, watercolor paper, printmaking paper, drawing paper, canvas, or acid-free cardstock. 

 

Professionally cut paper in the ACEO size can save artists much time, thus leaving them with more energy for their creative work.

 

Artists are urged to use the inexpensive Protective Sleeves made of thin, soft plastic or mylar are available to protect artwork from smudges, fingerprints, spills, dust, and other possible damage.  You might also consider obtaining a small portfolio for impressive presentations.  You can make your own portfolio from Acid-free Cardstock.

 

Minatures are easy to present for sale or trade on the Internet.  A special catagory for ACEO's is available on eBay.  Check out this catagory for a whole new world of tiny treasures.  -- ACEO - Self Representing Artists.