The questions I get asked most before people buy. If you can't find what you're looking for, write to me at hola@juanfran.art.
What you get
What's the difference between an original, a print and a canvas?
- The original is the watercolour I painted. There is only one.
- The print is a giclée reproduction of an original I also painted, on cotton paper, in a numbered limited edition and with a certificate.
- The canvas is a large-format print mounted on a stretcher, with a floating frame, in an open edition.
Why does a print cost €69 when big chain stores sell them for €12?
Because it isn't the same object. This print comes from a watercolour I painted and is printed one at a time in a fine art print lab, on textured cotton paper. It is numbered, in a limited edition of 25 per size, and comes with a certificate. Shipping is included. A catalogue poster is made to be replaced soon; this one is made to stay.
Why an original rather than a print?
Because there is only one. It's the actual paper I painted on, with its grain and the marks the water left, and once it's sold, it's gone.
Are the prints signed?
They carry my printed signature, their edition number and a certificate of authenticity. Each one also comes with a letter from me.
What is each piece made of?
- Originals: watercolour on 100% cotton paper, 300 gsm, acid-free.
- Prints: giclée print on 100% cotton paper, 310 gsm, matte and textured.
- Canvases: giclée print on polyester and cotton canvas, 340 gsm, matte.
What does the certificate include?
The title of the work, the number of your print within the edition, the size, the paper, the date and my signature.
What happens when an edition sells out?
That size and finish are never printed again. The number on your print is real.
Why aren't the canvases numbered?
Because they are an open edition: the point of them is the large format, not the print run. That's why I don't present them as a limited edition.
Are the colours the same as on screen?
They may vary slightly depending on how your screen is calibrated. The photos of the originals are taken in daylight so they come as close as possible to the real colour.
Choosing size and frame
How do I know which size to choose for my wall?
Each product page shows the sizes and a scale guide. A tip: cut a sheet of paper to that size and stick it where you want to hang it.
Should I get it framed or frame it myself?
The framed version arrives ready to hang, with a mount, and is the easy option for a gift. Unframed is cheaper and lets you choose the frame you like.
How do I frame an unframed print?
The sizes are standard, so they fit any standard frame you can find, including at big chain stores. If you'd rather not bother, choose the framed version, which arrives ready to hang.
What colour is the frame on an original?
You choose. The frame is made to measure for your order: just tell me the colour when you place it.
Shipping and delivery
How long does it take to arrive?
It depends on what you order. These are the approximate delivery times, in working days:
| Original | 7 |
| Framed original | 14 |
| Unframed print | 15 |
| Framed print | 20 |
| Canvas | 10 |
Will it arrive in time for Christmas?
It depends on what you order. These are the last order dates:
| For Christmas Eve | For Three Kings' Day (6 Jan) | |
|---|---|---|
| Framed print | 24 Nov | 1 Dec |
| Unframed print | 1 Dec | 9 Dec |
| Framed original | 2 Dec | 10 Dec |
| Canvas | 3 Dec | 11 Dec |
| Original | 14 Dec | 21 Dec |
If you've missed the date, the gift card arrives instantly by email.
Is shipping included?
Yes, to mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands. The price you see is the final price. I don't ship to the Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla or outside Spain for now; if that's your case, write to me and we'll look into it.
How does it arrive?
- Originals: presented in a mount, with their certificate, in rigid packaging with reinforced corners.
- Prints: well protected, together with their certificate of authenticity and a letter from me.
- Canvases: mounted in their frame, with the hanger fitted and ready to hang.
Gifts and returns
Does it make a good gift?
Yes. You can send it to a different address, and no package shows the price. With originals I can include a handwritten note; just ask in the order comments. And if you don't know what to choose, there's the gift card.
Can I return it?
Yes, you have 14 days from the day you receive it. Return shipping is at your expense. Framed originals can't be returned, because the frame is made to measure for that order.
What if it arrives damaged?
I'll send you another one or refund you, at no cost to you. Photograph the packaging before you open it and write to me.
Do you take commissions?
No. I only sell work I have already painted.
Caring for it at home
How long will it last without fading?
- Originals: they are painted on acid-free 100% cotton paper, the kind of paper used so that a watercolour lasts.
- Prints: according to the lab that prints them, a giclée print like this lasts about 80 years on display in daylight and up to 200 years stored in the dark, if well cared for.
- Canvases: according to the manufacturer, it is an archival-quality canvas, made to last for generations.
How do I look after it?
Hang it out of direct sunlight and away from heat and damp. Better not in an attic, a basement or on an outside wall, where the temperature changes more. If you frame it yourself, make sure the mount and the backing are acid-free.