An original is the one-of-a-kind piece that I painted with my own hands, brushstrokes, texture, and all, and it comes with a signed Certificate of Authenticity and a provenance card detailing its history. A print is a high-quality, faithful reproduction of that original, printed on fine-art paper. One is a unique, tactile object. The other is a beautiful, accessible way to own the same image.
Let’s start with the honest truth.
I love prints. I genuinely do. They allow people who love my work to bring a piece of it into their home without the financial anxiety of an original purchase. They are beautiful, high-quality, and they make art accessible.
But they are not the same as an original. And I think it is only fair to be completely transparent about that.
So let’s talk about the real differences.
The original: a one-of-a-kind moment
When you buy an original painting from me, you are buying a single, unique object that exists nowhere else in the world.
It is the piece I started with a blank sheet of A3 paper, coated in grey gesso, then deep black gesso. It is the piece where I sketched in chalk directly onto the dark void. It is the piece where I carved out the white highlights with a dry brush, layer by layer, until the subject finally came alive.
You can see the texture in the brushstrokes. You can see where the paint catches the light. You can see the tiny imperfections and decisions that make it uniquely mine.
And when you buy it, you are not just buying an image. You are buying a moment in time. You are buying the exact piece that I was standing over in my studio, brush in hand, deciding where the light should fall.
The provenance and the certificate
When you buy an original, I don’t just send it in a box and wish you well.
Every original comes with a signed Certificate of Authenticity. This is a document that certifies the piece is a genuine, original work by Tina Fletcher. It includes the title of the piece, the medium (acrylic on paper), the dimensions, and my signature.
It also comes with a Provenance Card. This is a small, beautifully designed card that tells the story of the piece. It includes the date it was painted, the collection it belongs to, and a short note about the inspiration behind the artwork.
Why do I do this? Because I want you to feel like you are buying something special. An original is not just a product. It is a piece of history, and I want you to have the documentation to prove it.
The print: a beautiful reproduction
A print is a high-quality reproduction of an original painting.
It is printed on fine-art paper using archival inks. The colours are accurate. The contrast is sharp. And when you hang it on your wall, it looks almost identical to the original from a few feet away.
What it doesn’t have is the physical texture. You can’t see the brushstrokes up close. You can’t see the tiny variations in the paint. You can’t see the exact spots where I added a little extra white acrylic to bring out a highlight.
But you do get the composition. You get the drama. You get the exact same image that I spent days planning and painting.
Which one is right for you?
Here is the way I think about it.
If you are just starting your collection, or if you are working with a budget that doesn’t stretch to an original purchase, a print is a brilliant choice. It gives you the same image, the same emotional impact, and the same ability to transform a room.
If you have fallen in love with a specific piece, and you want to own the one-of-a-kind object that I actually painted, an original is the way to go. It is a commitment piece. It is the one you will hang on your wall and know, deep down, that no one else in the world has the exact same one.
Both are valid. Both are valuable. And both will bring something beautiful into your space.
A quick note on value
There is a misconception that originals are purely for “serious collectors” and prints are for “everyone else.” I don’t believe that.
I have seen first-time buyers fall head over heels for an original piece and make it theirs. And I have seen seasoned collectors pick up a print because it was the image that truly spoke to them.
Buy what makes you happy. Buy what makes you stop and look every time you walk past it. Buy what feels right for you, right now.
A small tip for displaying originals
If you do decide to buy an original, consider framing it with a little breathing room.
A float frame (where the paper sits inside the frame with a small gap around the edges) allows the texture of the paper and the edges of the gesso to be seen. It feels less like a poster and more like an artwork.
Shop the Collection
Ready to explore?
You can browse both originals and prints in the shop. And if you have any questions about a specific piece, I am always happy to answer them.
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