posted on June 2, 2003 09:18:34 AM
Is there a sure-fire, idiot-proof way to determine if an item is hand-painted or stencil-designed? This is probably a dumb question but it's one I've had for awhile. Thanks for any guidance/information/tips.
posted on June 2, 2003 11:34:10 AM
It's actually a SMART question! I wonder, too. I suppose off the top of my head, stencils tend to have that dabbed look and often are heavier in color around the edges of the individual item (like a leaf or a flower).
posted on June 2, 2003 12:17:28 PM
One way, that I would think you could tell if it is stenciled is to see if the colors used over-lap each other. Many stencilers will use say only 3 primary colors, but by combining them they can make variations from the 3 colors (blue on top of yellow makes green). Sometimes by checking the edge of a combination color (your greens, purples, oranges) you can see a faint outline of your primary colors (red, blue, yellow). That's probably an indication that it is a stencil. Hand painting would actually use a green paint rather than a combination of blue and yellow layers. Just my thoughts... (I'm no expert!)
posted on June 2, 2003 01:26:11 PM
if you look at the item through a magnifying glass you will be able to see brush strokes on a hand painted item. on transfer patterns you will see small dots that make up the picture.
just be careful because many transfer patterns will be enhanced with hand painting on some parts,such as flowers.
