Selecting a Fine Art Print

Several factors should be considered when selecting a fine art print. Among these are the intended display purpose and location, as well as the expected viewing distance..

Display Purpose and Location

Prints can be small or large, bold and dramatic, or soft and subdued. Prints that will be in a key focal point in a room (over the couch, above the mantel, on the large conference room wall, etc.) will typically be larger and somewhat more bold or dramatic (though large, soft and elegant images work well also). Prints that will be displayed on minor walls or that will act as accent pieces will naturally tend to be smaller and be somewhat less dramatic than the larger artworks in the room.

But a small image can be used to command attention. Smaller images of unusual subjects or with bright and bold colors can draw attention to a portion of a room with limited display space. An appropriate image can draw people into a portion of the display space they might otherwise avoid.

The overall power of an image to convey a mood should be an important consideration when selecting a print. If you wish to convey a sense of tranquility and peace in a display area then selecting a print with neutral colors, lots of intricate detail, and a contemplative subject matter may be a good choice. If you wish to convey a sense of vibrancy in a room then you may wish to select an image with bold colors, unusual or stark subjects, and composition and lighting that command attention.

When selecting a print consider the intended mood and purpose of the display space and then choose a print that either complements or defines the intended purpose of the space. Selecting a print in this way will help your display space feel harmonious, unified, and complete.

Viewing Distance

To ensure that the overall impact of an image can be properly appreciated, one must consider the minimum viewing distance of the print. Minimum viewing distance is generally considered to be the distance that is equal to the diagonal length of the artwork. So, if an image is 16x20 inches in size, then the minimum viewing distance would be equal to the distance from the upper right corner of the image to the lower left corner of the image; in this case just under 26 inches.

One primary concern with viewing distance is that those who view the image may be forced to view it at too close a distance. This can happen if a large image is displayed in a narrow hallway, for example. In such cases the overall scale and scope of the image cannot be appreciated since the viewer is forced to take in only smaller portions of the image at any one time. To avoid this problem images should be located where a viewer can step back at least the minimum viewing distance so they can take in the entire image at one time.

The opposite problem may also occur where a small image is placed behind an obstacle such that persons viewing the image cannot get close enough to see details. This might happen if a small image is placed behind a large piece of furniture, for example. To ensure each image can be appreciated in its entirety and with great detail it is essential that persons viewing the image should be able to stand (or sit) comfortably at the minimum viewing distance from the artwork.

Print Size

Minimum viewing distance is a primary consideration when selecting a print size for images that will be displayed in confined spaces. In confined spaces smaller images are generally better. For open spaces, however, larger images prove to be more satisfying and rewarding to the viewer. A viewer will tend to naturally stand at the minimum viewing distance or or a little further from an image. Therefore, if an image is smaller it will tend to be viewed at a much closer distance, making the image seem small in a large space. When considering a print for open spaces, step back from the wall to where you would expect viewers to stand while taking in the image. The distance from the wall should be roughly equal to the diagonal of the ideal image for the space.

For example, if you would expect people to stand back three feet from the wall when viewing an artwork, then the print should be roughly 36 inches when measured diagonally. This would mean an overall print size of roughly 20x30 inches. This would be a good size in a room where a viewer can stand back three or four feet from the display wall without feeling they are crowding into the wall or furniture behind them.

Common errors in selecting a print size are selecting a print that is too large for a small space and conversely selecting a print that is too small for a larger space.

Theme Consistency

Another common problem is selecting images that do not provide or support a common theme in a room. If you have a room full of wonderful artworks of flowers, adding a picture of an erupting volcano (even though you really love the primordial feel of that picture) will only serve to break the mood in the room. Sometimes this can be done to good effect as a contrasting element, but this must be done with care. In most cases an image that is far from the general theme or mood of the room will cause visual chaos and will disrupt the overall feeling and atmosphere of the room.

Themes can apply to more than just subject matter. If you have a room full of soft focus images of flowers, then adding a flower image with hard and crisp edges could break the feel of the room, taking it from mellow and relaxed to hard and edgy. This can happen because this one standout image may become the focus point for art in the room and the other images can easily become mere supportive artistic elements. Consider the thematic elements of subject matter, lighting (bright or more subdued light), focus (or image detail clarity), composition, and overall style when selecting a print. Try to select a print that will match the existing or planned theme for a room rather than simply selecting a print because it looks attractive in and of itself.

Try This

One method to try when considering print sizes is to cut out (or paste together) a sheet of thin artists paper to the planned size of an artwork. Draw a rectangle (or other shape) on the paper to simulate the print size and position within the artwork. Then shade the print area lightly with a crayon or magic marker. Using black pen, write your name in small letters in the lower right corner of the print area as if it were a small artist's signature. Scale the size of the signature so it is appropriate for the size of the print. Now tape the paper on the wall (using a tape that will be easy to remove and that will not mar your paint or walls) in the expected display position. Now stand back and see if you can take in the entire picture from the intended viewing position. If not, then the artwork may be too large. Alternately, if the artwork seems to be overwhelmed by the wall or the size of the room, then the artwork is probably too small. This experiment is a great way to see if your expected artwork size is a good match for your display space. Oh, and about your name written in small letters. If you can't read these at the intended viewing distance then the print size you have selected may be too small.

Avoid This

Often people who are considering an art purchase will select an image based upon its predominant colors. This is often done to match the colors in the artwork with the dominant colors in the intended display room. This works well until there is a decision to move to a new residence or office, or the room is completely redecorated. In such situations the artwork may now appear to be woefully out of place. It is generally wise to avoid selecting an image based on color matches, but to instead select an artwork because of its subject, composition, clarity, color balance, and projected emotion. Color is an important consideration when selecting an image, but color matching an existing decor should not be a primary reason for selecting a particular image.

Rules of Thumb

Here are some rules of thumb you might consider when selecting a print. These are clearly not absolutes since art is often a subjective thing. Indeed, art is often used to directly violate rules of thumb. Nonetheless, here are some guidelines you might consider when selecting a print.

Avoid large prints in narrow or confined spaces. Large prints in small spaces often look blurred or lacking in detail because they are viewed from an inadequate distance.
Avoid small prints where viewers are unable to stand comfortably at the minimum viewing distance. Small prints viewed at larger distances can seem to be lacking detail since the eye has a way of avoiding details at increasing distances.
Use large prints in key areas such as over the mantel, above the couch, over the dining room sideboard, etc.
Select lighter colors and images with contemplative subjects when attempting to create a peaceful and relaxing environment
Select bold and bright colors, images with minimal detail, and easily recognized subject matter when creating an energetic and uplifting environment.
Very large display spaces can be handled by using one large dominant artwork and two or more smaller and complimentary artworks above, below, or beside the larger artwork. Be sure that the minimum viewing distance of the smallest print is considered.
Avoid selecting a print because its main colors match colors in an existing room. This can lead to "too much of a good thing" and can make the image a poor fit should it be moved to a different location or if the room is redecorated in different colors.
Try to develop and then keep to a theme for artworks in a room. Try to select images based on subject matter and photographic style so they complement other existing or planned artworks in a room and fit with the intended overall mood or purpose of the display space.
Ask for opinions. Others can often share an insight that you had not considered. It is easy to show an image to others so you can get their opinion about how the image will work in your intended room. Jot down the Image ID number. You can then enter the Image ID number in the Quick Search form on the left column of any screen to go directly to the large version of the image. You can then show the image to others at home, at work, or at a friend's house to get their input into how the image will fit with your display requirements and overall themes.