FAQs
Robert Benson paints landscapes, figurative work and still life in watercolor and acrylics. Contact: 707.481.1956
[email protected]
[email protected]
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How is the artwork shipped?
A: I ship unframed giclee prints in a rigid mailing tube, rolled up. It is suggested that you remove the print from the tube soon after receipt to allow it to flatten out and be ready to frame. Shipping for these pieces is included in the purchase price.
Unframed originals are sandwiched between two sheets of foamcore board and shipped priority mail, or UPS Ground. Shipping of these pieces is also included in the purchase price. They are insured for the price of the art.
Original acrylics on canvas, or watercolors that are framed must be custom packed and crated. I have had my customers pay the packing and shipping company directly, that I use locally. They build a custom box for the painting, and double box the piece with shipping popcorn inside. Santa Rosa Custom Packing and Shipping can provide you with a quote.
Q: Will it come framed? Do I get to choose the frame?
A: I sell framed and unframed work. The watercolors I have framed now are done with a simple wood molding, and are under an acid free Alpha Matte. Most are framed using plexiglass for ease of shipping. All watercolor competitions now require this.
Q: What are the shipping costs?
A: Shipping is included in the price of the unframed work. Framed pieces require a custom box and shipping method, and can add another $ 200.00 - plus to your cost. The pieces are insured for the price of the piece. If a claim has to be made because of damage to the piece you are covered that way, and would need to file a claim with the shipper.
Q: Do you have a guarantee or return policy?
A: I've honestly never had this issue come up. I've never had a customer ask to return a piece, and sales are final. I shoot accurate photos of my work that are color correct and true representations of my work. If you require more detailed photos of a piece prior to purchase I'm happy to provide them.
Q: Does the item come with a Certificate of Authenticity?
A: This question used to come up more when Giclees were a new thing. People were concerned about the quality of printing and whether the inks were lightfast. I will draft a Letter of Authenticity if you require one. Giclees now all have UV protection built into the inks, and now the printers make use of warm and cool reds, blues, greys, so that the color reproduction is now even better than the old CMYK color model. I have a hard time telling the difference between a reproduction and an original of my work, they've gotten that good.
Q: How is it maintained or cleaned?
A: My first word of advice is to NEVER place any artwork in a place where it gets direct sunlight beating on it. UV rays can damage originals and prints. My watercolors are framed under plexiglass or some have museum glass, both of which have UV protection, to some degree, still you do not want to have sun damage on art. To clean the glass, I use the foamy glass cleaner as it works really well. There are specific cleaning products to use on plexiglass so you don't scratch the surface. Never spray Windex directly onto the glass, as it can creep under the glass and stain the matte blue. Examples of my frames are shown below.
Q: What does "Gallery Wrap" mean?
A: The canvas the piece is painted on is on stretcher frame with 2 inches of depth, and the painting goes around the edges of the piece. This eliminates the need to frame the work on canvas, but you can if you want in the future.
Q: How is the artwork shipped?
A: I ship unframed giclee prints in a rigid mailing tube, rolled up. It is suggested that you remove the print from the tube soon after receipt to allow it to flatten out and be ready to frame. Shipping for these pieces is included in the purchase price.
Unframed originals are sandwiched between two sheets of foamcore board and shipped priority mail, or UPS Ground. Shipping of these pieces is also included in the purchase price. They are insured for the price of the art.
Original acrylics on canvas, or watercolors that are framed must be custom packed and crated. I have had my customers pay the packing and shipping company directly, that I use locally. They build a custom box for the painting, and double box the piece with shipping popcorn inside. Santa Rosa Custom Packing and Shipping can provide you with a quote.
Q: Will it come framed? Do I get to choose the frame?
A: I sell framed and unframed work. The watercolors I have framed now are done with a simple wood molding, and are under an acid free Alpha Matte. Most are framed using plexiglass for ease of shipping. All watercolor competitions now require this.
Q: What are the shipping costs?
A: Shipping is included in the price of the unframed work. Framed pieces require a custom box and shipping method, and can add another $ 200.00 - plus to your cost. The pieces are insured for the price of the piece. If a claim has to be made because of damage to the piece you are covered that way, and would need to file a claim with the shipper.
Q: Do you have a guarantee or return policy?
A: I've honestly never had this issue come up. I've never had a customer ask to return a piece, and sales are final. I shoot accurate photos of my work that are color correct and true representations of my work. If you require more detailed photos of a piece prior to purchase I'm happy to provide them.
Q: Does the item come with a Certificate of Authenticity?
A: This question used to come up more when Giclees were a new thing. People were concerned about the quality of printing and whether the inks were lightfast. I will draft a Letter of Authenticity if you require one. Giclees now all have UV protection built into the inks, and now the printers make use of warm and cool reds, blues, greys, so that the color reproduction is now even better than the old CMYK color model. I have a hard time telling the difference between a reproduction and an original of my work, they've gotten that good.
Q: How is it maintained or cleaned?
A: My first word of advice is to NEVER place any artwork in a place where it gets direct sunlight beating on it. UV rays can damage originals and prints. My watercolors are framed under plexiglass or some have museum glass, both of which have UV protection, to some degree, still you do not want to have sun damage on art. To clean the glass, I use the foamy glass cleaner as it works really well. There are specific cleaning products to use on plexiglass so you don't scratch the surface. Never spray Windex directly onto the glass, as it can creep under the glass and stain the matte blue. Examples of my frames are shown below.
Q: What does "Gallery Wrap" mean?
A: The canvas the piece is painted on is on stretcher frame with 2 inches of depth, and the painting goes around the edges of the piece. This eliminates the need to frame the work on canvas, but you can if you want in the future.