Sign-of-the-times

(C) 2016 Dale DiMauro

In a recent post I mentioned that I have been considering updating how I sign my finished paintings. Usually I sign a painting in sepia or black in a discreet fashion on the bottom of the picture in from the corner so once it is framed it is still visible. I have been using popular micron pens, which come in a wide range of colors. I have been using my first initial followed by my last name to keep it simple and not take up too much space. Up to this point I have hand lettered my name rather than signing it in cursive.

Since reading master watercolor painter Joseph Zbukvic's book on painting where he mentions signing his pictures in red, I have taken to experimenting with his approach. In the above practice run, I practiced using cadmium red right out of the tube with no water. I like that it adds some flair yet does not overwhelm the other colors. I find the red really gives life to the grays and blues so often used in watercolor painting. I also gave a try at putting my first initial within the first letter of my last name to create overlapping D's.