Editions, Technique and Framing

MATERIALS

The majority of the work shown on this site are created on either:

• Fabriano 300gsm Watercolour paper or
• Arches 100% cotton 300gsm HP watercolour paper.

All artworks are created with deckled edges (rough, textured edges typically seen on handmade paper), but these can be trimmed should you prefer sharp edges.

Mediums used include:

• Inks
• Waterclours
• Fineliners
• Watercolour pencil crayons
• Copic markers
• Pencil
• Metallic leaf
• Household materials

 

SIZES

Niki’s work is generally made in 2 standard sizes. Unframed, they are:

• Medium variant: 28 cm x 38cm (11x 15 inches) – all first editions are created at this size

• Large variant: 38cm x 56cm (15 x 22 inches)
• Some works naturally deviate from these sizes and shapes.

 

LIMITED EDITIONS

Niki creates limited-edition original handmade pieces of some of her hand-printed works.

She produces between 1 and 5 numbered, hand-printed and painted originals of these artworks (available edition numbers of her early work were higher, but since 2022, each work is limited to strictly 5 editions or fewer).

Each edition in the series is a hand-crafted original and as such, while they look alike, no two are the same, due to the nature of the technique and materials used.

Some works, notably hand-drawn work, commissions and work entered into competitions, are limited to one edition.

 

ARTISTIC TECHNIQUES

 HAND-PRINTED AND PAINTED ARTWORKS

This work is created using hand-printing and mixed media. Images are drawn, found in public domain collections or purchased, composed into digital collages and then hand-printed to archival paper and worked into with a variety of media. There are 2 standard sizes, but smaller or larger sizes are available for commissioned work.

 

HAND-DRAWN AND PAINTED WORK

Niki creates hand-drawn portraits, welcomes commissions and is happy to work from high-quality photographs provided by the client. She is also available to do photoshoots to obtain images at no additional cost to the client. Clients are welcome to choose surreal, fairytale and fantasy themes for their portraits should they wish.

Photographs are reproduced in inks, pen and pencil, using leaf and embossing techniques depending on the clients’ preferences. Portraits are produced on Archer’s or Fabriano Artistico 300g gsm HP watercolour paper. Hand-drawn work is limited to single editions.

 

RECOMMENDED FRAMING STANDARD

Niki’s work has been framed in many ways according to the purchaser’s preference.

The below recommendation is not intended to be prescriptive and is simply the way she frames all her own work. 

It is displayed at its best when float-framed using medium-dark natural wood (preferably Kiaat or similar).

Frame: Kiaat (or similar natural wood): I cm wide x 4 cm deep. White frames are sometimes also used for the ‘blue’ works, and some clients prefer a dark red or deep mahogany stain.

Mount board: White with a 5mm raised section, which lifts the image off the back that extends to within 1cm of the edge of the picture. This displays the deckled edges of the work to best effect.

Border spacing: For larger works, a 4-5cm space between the picture and frame and for smaller works either a 3cm – 3.5cm gap.