Frequently Asked Questions

My Practice

Where do you work?

I work full time on my art from my studio in the Dartmoor National Park.

How long does it take you to create a painting?

This is very difficult to answer. Some works are in my studio for a few weeks while others take over a year or more.

I also recycle paintings I'm not happy with, sometimes incorporating parts into a new painting, which can add unplanned layers of texture and pattern.

What materials do you use?

I work with high-quality acrylic paint and mediums. I prefer acrylic paint because it dries rapidly and I can work more spontaneously and layer paint quickly, (whereas oil paint can take months to dry). Sometimes I also use pigment sticks, acrylic markers, acrylic spray paint, acrylic inks and so on.

I use whatever tool is appropriate for the task in hand, such as a brush, palette knife, squeegee, sponge, silicone shapers, scouring pad, in fact, anything that gives the desired finish, including my hands.

I work on good quality cotton canvas, cradled and uncradled wooden panels and archival quality art paper.

I produce collages which can be made from whatever paper is to hand or specially painted papers.

Do you title your work?

My work is purely abstract. Titles are by nature evocative and often wistful or romantic. I don't give my paintings titles because it may influence the viewer's interpretation of the work, steer them to look for answers in the painting that don't exist or unnecessarily contextualise the work, and thus undermine the point of abstraction.

Most collectors of abstract work fall in love with the pieces they are buying. Their reaction and the feelings they experience are unique to them and do not necessarily reflect the experience of the artist. That specific emotional bond is what moves them to collect the piece and find pleasure in it for decades to come.

I leave my work untitled but dated with the day and year it was completed. My work is an assemblage of emotional expressions that I prefer to articulate with paint rather than verbalise. The work is a conduit and record of my thoughts and feelings at that specific time. Hence the accurate date sequence: century + day + year = 20 123 21, for example. I use this sequence so that the date becomes an anonymous serial number and doesn't influence the viewer’s response to the work.

Do you sign your paintings?

My work is signed and dated on the back. I do not sign the front as my signature is not part of the work.

All are accompanied with a Certificate of Authentication.

General Advice for the Collector

How do I care for my painting?

Generally, paintings are almost maintenance-free. Simply dust lightly with a duster or dry, lint-free cloth.  

Your painting is protected by a layer of water-based, archival UV varnish. This means that in addition to the paint’s built-in lightfastness properties, there is an extra layer to protect the colours from the sun's harmful rays. Being archival quality also means the UV varnish layer can be removed by an expert in future if repairs need to be done.

However, to preserve the painting in its original state, please site your painting away from direct sunlight, moisture, grease and heat. It is not intended to be in a bathroom, over a cooker top or an open fireplace. Direct heat may crack the paint, constant moisture may soften the paint and cause mould or loosen the paint from the substrate.

Please DO NOT use any cleaning agents, water, spirits or scrubbing tools as these will damage the surface of the artwork.

Why do you use matt varnish?

Gloss varnish artificially enhances colours and creates a sheen on the surface which can cause reflections that interfere with viewing the work. I prefer matt varnish as it is neutral and the result is true to the intended colour, and it does not catch light so easily and cause unwanted reflections.

Are your paintings framed?

Some paintings are framed. Please click on the painting you are interested in to find out. Works on paper require glass frames which I cannot ship safely, so they arrive flat in a beautiful off-white mount.

Any painting can be framed for you and this is a bespoke service that takes more time to fulfil and is an extra charge. Please note that this will add to the weight of the package and therefore the cost of shipping. For international orders, it may be preferable to ship unframed.

I am happy to discuss framing with you - please get in touch at hello@brianmccabestudio.com

Will my painting arrive ready to hang?

Framed art has hanging wire attached to the frame with D brackets. Sometimes, for smaller work, I use sawtooth fixings. Unframed work does not have any fixing attached or included. Work on paper arrives in a mount but not a frame and therefore not ready to hang.

Will my painting look the same as the online image?

All domestic computer screens differ very slightly from one another. This is because they are not calibrated to colour match each other as they would be in a professional design studio. I make every effort to colour match my digital images to the original art. Your screen may present that digital image with no perceptible difference to the untrained eye, or slightly cooler or warmer. Usually, any colour shift is so negligible that it doesn't impair the new owner's enjoyment.

However, I cannot guarantee your digital image and my actual artwork will be identical and inconsistencies will not be a valid reason for return. If you are unsure I suggest you view the artwork on several different devices to formulate a consensus.

Can I see your work in person?

Unfortunately, because of the covid-19 pandemic, my studio is not open to the public and art fairs and galleries are either closed or showing online only. Any changes to this situation will be announced in my newsletter. Please sign up to keep informed at hello@brianmccabestudio.com

Can I commission a painting?

Yes, I would be delighted to paint a work specifically for you. The process is very simple so please do get in touch.

How can I find out about new work?

I send out Studio News about 5 to 6 times a year. This is a short newsletter emailed to subscribers which lists soon-to-be-available new work and includes thoughts and observations that give a background to my practice. Sign up at the bottom of this page.

I also usually show new work a bit later than the newsletter on my Instagram account: @brianmccabestudio

What's the difference between an art print and an edition?

An art print is a high-quality reproduction of an original artwork. A colour-matched professional photograph is made of the original art and a specialist printer uses the giclee printing process to reproduce the image using archival inks and acid-free paper.

An edition refers to the number of prints made. An open edition generally means the image is printed to satisfy demand and may involve multiple and ongoing print runs. This is mass production and of little value to the collector.

A limited-edition means the total number of prints produced in that edition is limited. So your print will be individually numbered and signed by me at the point of printing. For example, 1/50 means you own print number 1 and there will be 49 other prints made in total. I do not offer Artist's Proofs (AP).

All editions are signed, dated, numbered and include a Certificate of Authentication.  They come unframed, but I can advise you on what type of frame to specify at your local framer. They are despatched in a sturdy cardboard tube. 

Payments

What type of payments do you accept?

PayPal

I accept payments through PayPal in British Pounds Sterling. You can use PayPal as a guest with your normal debit or credit card.

PayPal Credit

PayPal now offers interest-free loans to successful applicants which means you can own your painting today and repay the loan as you choose.

Credit Cards

I accept Visa and MasterCard. I do not accept American Express.

Bank Transfers

I do not normally accept bank transfers but please do contact me if you do not have another way of paying.

Can I pay in instalments?

ART IS FOR EVERYONE!

I strongly believe art should be an essential part of everyone's life as it can be uplifting, meaningful, enriching and transformational.

That means everyone should be able to afford art. I try to make my art as accessible as possible through instalments programmes, gift cards and the #artistsupportpledge.

So, for any work of art over £200 simply pay a 50% deposit today to hold the work and commit to paying the balance, (including shipping and, if chosen, framing costs), in two equal instalments over the following two months. (Other options are available, please ask.) The painting will be marked as sold and carefully stored by me. The painting remains the property of the studio until the final payment is received, whereupon it is despatched to you, the new owner. It is not a credit scheme supported by a third party as such, but an interest-free agreement based on trust between you and me. You will receive a statement confirming each payment via email and the usual shipping costs and return policy will apply.

Not paying the balance within the agreed time will mean the work will be offered for sale again and any money paid will be returned to you minus a handling fee of £25.00.

For details on Gift Cards please see below.

If you would like the painting sooner, PayPal Credit offers an interest-free scheme for successful applicants, which would mean you could have the painting today and pay it off as you choose.

I also participate in Matthew Burrows' international initiative, The Artist Support Pledge, which continues to support artists through the global coronavirus pandemic. Works of art are sold for a maximum of £200.00. After the equivalent of £1000.00 of sales, the artist pledges to spend £200.00 on another artist or artists, thus redistributing 1/5th of proceeds. You purchase directly supports at least two artists and, indirectly, countless others.

To see the paintings I have on offer under this scheme please visit the relevant section of my website and for more information please visit #artistsupportpledge.

Do you offer Gift Cards?

Yes. Gift Cards are available in British Pounds Sterling to any amount and are sent out in one of my printed cards.

Please contact me to arrange this.

I hand write a standard message inside, but if requested, this can be personalised and sent directly to the recipient. They can be redeemed against any works of art for sale on my website to the same value or, if the painting costs more, the difference can be paid in the normal way. At the moment part or full refunds are not available against Gift Cards.

How can I buy a present for someone else?

You can select a painting yourself or purchase a gift card from the website. I can include a short personalised, handwritten message from you. Please email me to discuss the details.