Giclee Information

This is the fun part! Although a giclee on canvas or watercolor paper is beautiful as is, you can do a few things to enhance each print to make it special.

Embellish?

This technique refers to overpainting and possibly texturing areas in the giclee. The most simple example is to work on canvas, after it is printed and give it a textured look by adding strokes with a clear texturing gel. Fredrix makes one. The gel, when dry, completely becomes transparent and it is thick enough to go down with the type of brush strokes used. It also increases contrast, saturation and scuff protection.

Some artists take the canvas giclee and paint over some areas (i.e. tree leaves and branches on a landscape) to provide a unique piece. Others completely overpaint with semi opaque media to provide a very unique effect.

You can use oil and water base paints and varnishes as long as water resistant canvas is used. Non water resistant canvas, if sealed properly may work but it is not the safest medium.

Watercolor

A very interesting effect that has been done for years is deckled edges. This technique consists in "ripping" the borders of a watercolor print to achieve a somewhat irregular margin. Once the prints are mounted on a relief, they provide a stunning look. You can also use watercolor paint on watercolor paper to introduce metallic colors or other media.