A great print can look amazing on its own, but what if you could make it even better? By adding highlights (lighter areas) and adjusting the value (light and dark tones) of your print, you can make your artwork stand out even more. Whether you’re printing on canvas, fine art paper, metal, or peel-and-stick wall art, adding these touches can give your print depth and vibrancy. At Giclee Fine Prints, we want to show you how you can turn your print into a truly special piece of art.
Understanding Highlights and Value
Highlights are the brightest parts of an image, where the light hits most. They make certain parts of your print pop. Value refers to how light or dark different parts of your artwork are. By adding highlights and adjusting the value, you can:
- Make key details stand out and catch the viewer’s attention.
- Create depth, making your print feel like it has 3D form.
- Change the mood by making certain areas darker or lighter.
Choosing the Right Medium for Enhancement
Each print surface works differently with paint, pencils, or markers. Here’s what works best on each type:
- Canvas: Canvas is textured, so acrylic paint, oil paint, or pastels work well and blend easily.
- Fine Art Paper: This paper is more delicate, so colored pencils, charcoal, or gentle watercolor techniques work best.
- Metal Prints: Metal is smooth, so you’ll need special primers and paint markers to make your enhancements stick.
- Peel-and-Stick Wall Art: Use markers or watercolor pencils that won’t damage the removable adhesive surface.
Techniques to Try
There are many creative ways to add highlights and adjust the value on your prints. Here are a few techniques you can try:
- Dry Brush Techniques (Canvas): Lightly brush acrylic paint over raised areas to highlight textures.
- Pastel Overlays (Fine Art Paper): Add soft touches of light with pastels to bring out details or deepen shadows.
- Ink or Marker Details (Metal Prints): Use paint pens or markers to add bright white highlights or outline important parts of your print.
- Watercolor Washes (Peel-and-Stick): Gently brush watercolors over areas to adjust the light and dark parts of the image.
Pro Tip: Always test your technique on a small part of your print before working on the whole piece.
Balancing Enhancements with Original Quality
It’s important not to go overboard with adding highlights and changing the value. You want to enhance the print, not cover up the original artwork.
Tips for balance:
- Start slowly: Make small changes and build up until you’re happy with the result.
- Don’t hide the original print: Make sure your enhancements don’t cover important details.
- Step back and look: Periodically look at your print from a distance to make sure your changes improve the overall picture.
Contact Us
Our address is: 3816 Pioneer Trail Ste #3, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Email: Info@gicleefineprints.com
FAQs
No, as long as you use the right materials and work carefully. Always test on a small area first to make sure the technique works well with your print.
Some techniques can be changed or lightened, but permanent paints and inks are harder to fix. Take your time to make sure you’re happy with the changes.
Yes, high-quality inks (like the ones we use at Giclee Fine Prints) are stable and won’t smudge when you use gentle techniques like painting or drawing.
