How Permanent are Your Prints

'Blue Boy' 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Mixed Media on paper.

When I started producing my own prints I was very concerned about their longevity.

I bought a printer that uses Epson UltraChrome K3 pigmented inks and I always use an archival paper but I still had no definitive figures on permanence.

However I have now discovered that Henry Wilhelm has researched the longevity of different inks and surfaces.

The website is an absolute mine of information for anyone wanting to find out how permanent combinations of ink and surface are.

The website is http://www.wilhelm-research.com/

There are different ratings depending on how the prints are stored, for example:-

Prints framed under glass

Printsframed with a UV filter

Displayed prints not framed

Album/Dark storage

Tests have also been done on the following:-

Unprotected resistance to ozone

Resistance to high humidity

Resistance to water

Are optical brightners present

There is a lot of information how the tests were carried out and a note that in some cases they are ongoing.

The pdf file for my printer was 9 pages long.

I'm pleased to say that it very much looks like my prints will not fade for very many years however they are stored.

Grey and White Cat in mixed Media

'Summer's End'

an ACEO by Gayle (2.5 x 3.5 inches)
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I decided to create another aceo today, I like to use this small format to try out ideas for future larger pieces.

Black Cat ACEO

'Colours of Black'

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I decided it was about time I created another ACEO.

I had fun with this one using various pink, blue and purple coloured pencils to create the black fur.

Two ACEO's, Lion and Cat.

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I've had another busy day printing so I finished two ACEO's.

The lion is on Fisher 400 pastel paper, the cat is on Uart 800 premium sanded paper.

I have ordered a floor standing card stand so that I can display my cards to better effect at the shows I plan to attend. It is a collapsible, rotating model, keep your fingers crossed it is easy to put together. Cody's in season and Rio and Clinton have become singing dogs so my brain is frazzled and will not be able to cope with anything complicated.

I'll post a photograph once it's all set up.

The Dark Side - Black Cat AEO

'The Dark Side'

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This is another ACEO, mixed media on Arches Watercolour Paper.

I'm trying to sort out an entry for 'Wildlife Artist of the Year, which is why I've been quiet for the last few days. Hopefully I will have something to show soon.

' I Wish it was Spring'

'I Wish it was Spring'

Mixed Media, 2.5 x 3.5 on Saunders Waterford paper.

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That's the title of my newest ACEO and it is exactly how I feel.
In common with an awful lot of other people we haven't seen any sign of gritting since this 'cold snap' began. As we live at the top of a steep cul de sac with a steep drive and my car doesn't do snow or ice it has remained motionless for the past four weeks.
Today my eldest son decided it would be alright if we went an errand in my car (note he didn't want to move his own car) so off we went. I got three feet before the ABS kicked in and cut the power as the back wheels had decided to do things totally unconnected with what the front wheels were doing.
So we switched off the ABS and slid the rest of the way down the road, no brakes, no steering, lots of muttering, but as it's very quiet with no through traffic we simply slid to a halt at the bottom.
No problem doing the errand but no way was my car going back up our road, it performed a few pirouettes, lost an inch of rubber off its very expensive new tyres but didn't move an inch forward.
So I carefully reversed back onto the flat and left it in disgust.
Later this afternoon together with eldest son we mounted a rescue operation and returned it to the drive were it will remain until Spring.

Winter Tabby ACEO

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No snow here in Yorkshire but it's cold and frosty so I thought I'd try a seasonal ACEO.
This is mixed media on Arches paper.

Another Tabby Cat ACEO

I started another ACEO at the Supreme but due to work committments I've only just finished it.

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Thank you to all the people that made the Supreme Cat Show a really enjoyable experience.

Silver Tabby Cat ACEO

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Still getting ready for the Supreme, still creating ACEO's. This one is coloured pencil and acrylic on Arches hot press paper.

Small Works and another Tabby Cat on Fisher Paper

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Above is my latest tabby cat ACEO on Fisher paper. I spent most of my day doing marketing tasks or wiping hundreds of paws so I didn't have time to work on something larger.

Cody has decided to study plants judging by the amount of leaves she brings inside. She likes chewing them up and then spitting them out in little soggy piles, I'll leave you to imagine what the little soggy piles look like.

I added a page for small prints on my website today. The prints of ACEO's are proving very popular so you can now buy them direct from my website.
Small Works

Tabby Cat Eye Study Number 3

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The third ACEO tabby cat eye study.

The birds are back in town, at least they're back in the garden. After a quiet summer the feeders are starting to get busy.
While sitting at my drawing board this morning I twice looked up and saw a Heron looking back. It was on the edge of the small pond looking for breakfast I imagine. We have a couple of large golden orf in that pond but fortunately there are still plenty of water lilly leaves to hide under. After the heron left there was a pheasant wandering about which sparked a barking frenzy in the dogs, (they had decided the heron looked to big to mess with). Then a flock of long tailed tits passed through.

Sleeping Tabby on Fisher Paper

Another ACEO on Fisher paper, this time a sleeping cat.

Second Tabby cat eye on Fisher Paper

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My first tabby cat eye was successful so I decided to do another one. his is also 2.5 x 3.5 on Fisher paper.

Another Tabby cat study on Fisher Paper

This is another aceo but I think I'm ready to go back to larger pieces now.

Study of a Tabby Cat's Eye on Fisher Paper

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Another ACEO, this time I used Fisher paper and was really happy with the result, especially as I found I was able to get my usual effect with far less layers.
I decided to make the highlight into a bird and call it 'I Spy a Bird'

Creating a Book of my Blog

'Sunny Spot'

I created another ACEO today, coloured pencil and acrylic on Arches.

The process was continually interrupted as I made frequent trips into the very wet garden with Cody. Why is it that on nice dry days she knows why she has gone out, yet when it is pouring down she pretends that I've taken her out to look in the ponds, visit the bird feeders, have a stroll on the patio etc. As soon as I suggest we go back inside she assumes the pained expression of a puppy desperate to go.

One of my cyber friends pointed me in the direction of a website where you can transform your blog into a book.

It's as easy as making a couple of clicks. I was very impressed when I had a go, so impressed I've ordered the book I created. I decided to include posts from 01/01/2008 to date. I thought it would be something to show people when they ask me how I work. The actual book will take up to a month to arrive, but I'll let you know what the quality is like when I actually see it.

Have a go, there is no committment to buy:-

www.blog2print.com

Cougar, Puma ACEO

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Another small one, this time a Puma, coloured pencil and watercolour on Arches.

This is the reason for time spent on art being a little restricted at present, meet Cody.

Tiger ACEO

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I seem to be stuck in the small mode at present, it has a lot to do with the newest member of the family, Cody.

Cody is a huge character in a smal body with plenty of energy and sharp puppy teeth. I'm sure Roxie was trying to work out how to put her in her sleeping cage and fasten the lock today.

This is my latest ACEO, with the original title of 'Tiger'

Black Cat ACEO

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Another small one, again ACE size 2.5 x 3.5 on black paper.

This is a study for a larger cat I want to do using this technique.

ACEO Cat on Blue Pastel Paper

'Wish Upon a Star'

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I've done almost no art this last week due to a four footed addition to the family, I'll share some photographs soon.

I did have time to do this ACEO, 2.5 x 3.5, coloured pencil and watercolour on blue pastel paper.