October 28, 2008
gapingvoid getting serious about the lithograph business
[Me working on “DesertManhattan”. Photo courtesy of Deborah Smail.]
After a couple of years of thinking about it, I’m finally moving forward in the lithograph department. Here are some initial thoughts:
1. Yes, I’ve done lithographs before e.g for Techcrunch, Stormhoek and Microsoft. Those were produced digitally, for high-numbered editions [one thousand or so]. This new effort will be much more high-end and exclusive. We’re talking very small editions [say, 25 or so], done not via digital, but by old-fashioned etchings on metal plates.
2. We’ll be using the highest-quality paper and inks we can find, bar none. We won’t be sparing any expense.
3. The pieces will all be framed by hand, using highest-quality woods and mats. No industrial factory-framing for these babies etc.
4. As of today, I have no idea how much I’ll charge for them. My plan is to put the first few ones onto Ebay, let people bid for them openly, and see what happens. I reckon this will establish a solid, relatively transparent market price, a lot better than mere guesswork ever could.
5. The size will be roughly the same as my recent large works on paper i.e. approx. 23x29 inches etc.
6. I haven’t decided what image, or what style of image I want to use for the first run. Do I go with my familiar cartoon format say, something like this, or do I go with something a bit more “arty” say, something like “Fred 44″? This is a conversation I hope to be having with y’all over the next few weeks, so please feel free to leave a comment below, Thanks.
7. Yes. I am SERIOUSLY excited about this project. Rock on.
"Hugh's Daily Cartoon" Newsletter.
A new cartoon sent out every weekday morning to your inbox [RSS version here.].
A wee chuckle to start your day off right etc.
I would buy a print of “being totally fucking amazing is job 1″ in a second (provided I could afford it in the first place, that is).
awesome.
i’d better start making a lot of money at my new job, so i can afford one. heh.
I’d definitively go for it! It would be great to have the “being totally fucking…” litograph hanging in my office.
I’m goin’ for “Fred 44″ as the arty choice…
Casting a vote for something like “Fred 44″ which is more “deserving” of the texture possibilities and ink & paper dynamics of a lithograph.
Pocketbook has got a leak in it right now, so while I wish to buy one, cannot.
Is it an either/or question, cartoon or Fred 44/arty? Why not both?
Good idea Hugh. What size(s) are you considering?
I’d vote for Fred 44 — it’s something I could stare at for hours and always see something new, which makes for interesting art on the wall (imho).
The first thing that comes to mind when I look at the cartoon format is that the end product will remind me too much of one of those “you’re mom doesn’t work here, pick up after yourself” placards that people put up in their homes. If you want to go for the kitsch angle then the cartoon format will fit. I think that something like Fred 44 would do well as a lithograph, so that’s my vote!
Ps I hope I can afford to buy one.
Love the approach, love the way you are using the new tools, ebay, twitter, blog, etc., to bring everyone in on the entire process. Makes us love you MORE!
I’d vote for Fred 44
I would definitely vote for the Fred 44 style. I agree it would be less kitsch, but also really move you forward. You’ve done business cards, and you should keep doing it. But not in the large, litho format.
Also agree with Patrick — Fred 44 is something you could stare at for hours. I really enjoy artists like Freek Dent, and even Keith Haring, whose works you can just look at forever. Same thing would happen if I had a Hugh Macleod on my wall.
I vote for the “being totally…” format.
Go Artsy — I’d buy one — or at least try! The high end quality paper, ink etc would be wasted on the cartoon, no matter how great..
I don’t think a vote is the right way to choose art. What I like about art is that it tells me things from the artist’s perspective not mine. A vote is all about my perspective.
On the other hand, a business is about giving the customer what they want.
I suspect art that is also financially successful gives the customer something they want but didn’t quite know they wanted it till they saw the art.
So be conscious walking that line between business success and artistic integrity.
Having said that — here’s my 2 cents. I don’t like things with words on them other than cartoons or bumper stickers. I don’t wear clothes with words on them for example. But I love the cartoons on biz card size. For larger Stuff I don’t like cartoons. I do like larger pieces that you can enjoy from far away but have enough detail to also see something different close up. Fred 44 fits that bill.
Congrats on this next step. Nothing like seeing one’s art on the wall, hanging, weighty, massive, off the screen. Hurrah!
I vote for Barack..oops..I say “arty”, baby..you have beautiful work that deserves the honor of a permanent place on a wall.… in MY house..as soon as I read “Herd”, understand it, and start making some money…that is.
Like the idea that you’re going to sell your lithographs now, but on evilBay? Not sure if that will give you a true idea of market value – seems like less and less people are using eBay nowadays. Plus, not sure if the eBay audience is who you are targeting. eBay does not equate art in my mind.
On an unrelated note, have you checked out City Magazine? New logo and they’re giving out free Elizabeth Peyton posters. Nothing better than free art…except exclusive originals of course.
Well Id buy “being totally amazing.…” Nice going.
hugh go see robert arber in marfa
http://www.30x30cmproject.com/index1.html
i was a resident artist down there at chinati
started the first radio station at that time in marfa
robert is a friend and a master printer right in your hood so to speak
enjoy
best of luck
let me know how it goes
Ah, Hugh, you lucky devil. Is the etching done with sharp tools in a ground on zinc? Or what process, I wonder. Any way you go in printmaking is a breathtaking journey. I recommend that you do not decide what your subject will be until you actually encounter the plate. It will tell you soon enough.
You’ll surely be successful with this endeavor!
I wote for you native format.
Hugh,
Are you doing the printmaking yourself?
Rachel
Rachel, no, I’ll be subcontracting out. Proper pint making takes about 10 years to master.
Besides, I’m a cartoonist, not an artist;-)