Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a giclee?
Giclee is a French word that was coined by an American to refer to a reproduction medium. It basically is a print on canvas or paper that comes out of an ink jet printer from a digitized image. It is a reproductive medium that can print a single or small number of prints and still be cost effective. When compared with lithographs, serigraphs (multiple screen silk screen prints), or etchings, it is a revolutionary change because these other methods do not make single copy or small number printings financially viable.

What are diptychs, and triptychs?
These are words to describe multiple panel works. A two panel is a diptych, a three panel is a triptych, a four panel quattrotych, a five panel quintatych, six – sextych, etc. The reason for using multiple panels vary, from ease of transport (smaller panels combined to make a giant piece) to avoiding a wide angle bird’s eye view of scenes (by breaking up a panoramic view into smaller segments that the human eye can naturally see). A particular advantage of a multiple panel work is the flexibility in showing the works. You can also divide up a multiple panel work to decorate different rooms, or spread apart panels to decorate a large wall.

How do you price your paintings?
There are various factors that influence the prices of Braden’s paintings. The busier the artist commissioned work schedule becomes, the more expensive the painting become. Currently the price per square foot for detailed “easel style” work is between $800 - $1000. For “mural style” work that involves using larger brushstrokes and meant to be seen from a great distance or a “study” it is $450 - $500 per sq. ft. So called “Published Works,” or pieces that will or have been published as posters, cards or in some way the image has been distributed widely, the price will increase to 3 times the value. That rule would also apply to prestigious commissioned works such as the original of the image “E Komo Mai,” or the current Haleakala commission. As a rule, the artist will not reduce his rate so as to protect clients who’ve bought his work previously at galleries. To meet the high demand for originals we are now creating “Braden Studio” work. These are pieces signed “Braden Studio” as opposed to “Bill Braden” signed pieces. They are works created under the artist’s supervision and many actually do contain a lot of handwork by the artist himself, but there is no guarantee of that. To obtain a painting truly 100% painted by Bill Braden, you would need to buy one with his name on it. The prices of the “Braden Studio” work is half of the usual price, and thus his vision in one-if-a-kind originals become more available to galleries. The historical precedence of studio work can be seen in the works of old masters, e.g. Michaelangelo, Rubens, Rodin, etc., who had many assistants to help with the workload.

Is direct sunlight bad for the images?
Yes, direct sunlight does make art fade. Original art is generally the most durable; reproductions can be replaced if they fade.

How do you create public scale artwork? Private commission art?
For Public Scale Artwork, we usually first meet with the client, their designers, and contractors (as needed), and determine what the needs are. During the second meeting, we will prepare small-scale proposals of different ideas from which the client can pick and chose what is best for their needs. Finally, we will create either scale renderings, or in many cases, scale models of the site from which we can viscerally see how our proposals will feel when the full-scale artwork is realized. Visit Bill’s works for examples of his pieces.

Private commission art is treated pretty much like the public scale artwork. The only difference would be if a model is truly necessary. For canvas images usually a “thumbnail sketch” is sufficient. Basically pleasing the client is the number one motive.