Frequently Asked Questions
We are located in Cumming, Georgia. If you do not see an answer to your question, you are more than welcome to contact us.
You may place an order by phone (678-341-9801) or by email here: Contact Form. We accept personal checks and all major credit cards. COD shipments must be certified funds and are at our discretion. Please allow 5 additional business days for shipping when paying by personal check. Make all checks payable to Atkinson Fine Art. Charges will show Atkinson Fine Art and Collectibles, Inc. on charge statements.
We show gallery retail prices on almost all items. This is a good starting place, put many factors can play into the purchase price of the artwork. Some artists like LeRoy Neiman, are past publication and price is based more on supply and demand as well as availability. Some works may be 40 – 50 years old and thus have condition issues, as well individual sellers of sold-out works may demand different selling prices which translate into lower or higher dealer costs. Artwork still in publication may stay true to published retail but one should always call or email for the price and availability. We do our best to ensure the very best price for you as we want to earn your business.
Yes, we offer convenient layaway plans from 3 to 6 months on most items. Call us and we can discuss your needs. We can provide a plan that works within your budget. Because we do not offer credit, we will hold the artwork until it has been paid in full.
Absolutely! We know just about every reputable person in the business. In most cases we can tell you what the current retail is on the piece and save you considerable dollars on your purchase.
Yes, we can catalog your item and sell it to one of our existing clients or arrange for your item or items to be sold through auction. We work with some of the largest auctions in the country and can arrange for estate sales or individual pieces to be sold with respect and optimum profitability.
We ship using common carriers (FedEx, UPS and freight companies). Depending on your artwork, size and condition, we use different companies to accomplish the very important task of having your pieces arrive in the same great condition they left. We ship all of our art insured. We do not overcharge for shipping like many companies do. In fact, we typically undercharge. All shipping charges are discussed upon purchase. There will be no surprises.
We are not licensed appraisers but can give you a letter stating our opinion of the value of your collectible and its authenticity. This is based on our expert knowledge of the industry and the replacement value of the item. Our Certificate of Authenticity and Statement of Value documents have been accepted by insurance companies, the IRS, and courts of Law. To date, we have never had an issue with our documents. If you need a written statement establishing the value of your collection, we can help. We can only facilitate this within the spectrum of those artists in which we make a market.
Serigraphs
Serigraphs are commonly referred to as silkscreen prints. A screen of porous material, usually silk, nylon or polyester, is stretched tightly across a frame. For every color used in the original painting, a design is made in stencil form on the mesh by blocking out parts of the material. The remaining open areas allow the ink to be forced through to the paper below, resulting in the final printed image.
Although many prints may be made from each set of screens, each serigraph is printed individually, showing no degradation from the first print to the last. Therefore, serigraphs, like other graphics media, are termed “multiple originals.” Due to the labor involved and the end result, serigraphs are considered to be the finest form of limited edition printmaking.
Serigraphs are the most expensive form of printmaking and are routinely done by hand. Each serigraph can have 40 to 90 or even more different screens.
Giclee
Displaying a full color spectrum, Giclee prints capture every nuance of an original painting – be it watercolor, oil, or acrylic. The Giclee has garnered wide acceptance from contemporary artists like David Hockney and Robert Rauschenberg, as well as institutions like the Chicago Art Institute and LA County Museum.
The process involves spraying more than four million droplets per second onto archival art paper or canvas. While similar to airbrush, the Giclee process is much finer. Each piece is carefully hand mounted onto a drum, rotating during the process. Exacting calculation of hue, value and density direct the ink of four nozzles. This produces a combination of 512 chromatic changes. This allows for a possibility of 3 million colors of highly saturated, nontoxic water-based ink. The artist’s color approval and input are essential for creating the final custom setting for the edition.
Giclees are becoming one of the most popular forms of printmaking largely because they can be printed as needed and the incredible color separations available. They can be printed on paper and canvas.
Lithographs
Lithographs are prints made from plates – similar to how a newspaper is made. This is the least expensive form of printing. Lithographs are also the oldest form of printmaking.