TINA FLETCHER ART
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you are browsing, preparing to buy, or waiting for your new piece to arrive, I hope this page answers all your questions. If there is anything else you need, please don\’t hesitate to reach out.
The Art & The Artist
What is the Active Void technique?
Active Void is a high-contrast acrylic technique where the entire paper surface is painted dark first, and the subject is carved out using pure white light. It is an instinct-driven process that relies on texture, negative space, and the belief that the dark is doing half the work. Read more →
What is the difference between an original painting and a print?
An original is a one-of-a-kind piece painted by hand on A3 paper. It comes with a signed Certificate of Authenticity and a Provenance Card. A print is a high-quality, faithful reproduction of the original, printed on fine-art paper. Both are beautiful, but an original is a unique, tactile object that exists nowhere else in the world. Read more →
Do you take commissions?
Yes, I do. If you have a specific subject, mood, or vision in mind, I would love to hear about it. Commissions start at $550 USD, and the process begins with a conversation. Read more →
What makes your art different from other wildlife art?
My work is not about painting a perfect, posed animal from a reference photo. It is about capturing the fleeting, real-life moments you actually experience in the Australian bush — a possum caught in torchlight, a frog in the laundry sink, a kangaroo standing still in the dark. It is deeply personal and deeply Australian. Read more →
The Purchase
How do I buy an original or print?
You can browse the full collection on the Shop All Art page. Once you find a piece you love, simply add it to your cart and check out securely.
Can I see the artwork on my wall before I buy it?
Yes! My website features an Augmented Reality (AR) viewer. On any product page, click “View on my wall,” hold up your phone or tablet, and the artwork will appear on your wall in real time, in the exact size it would be in real life. You can move it around and test it in different rooms. Read more →
What size print should I choose for my room?
A4 (21x30cm) is great for small spaces or gallery walls. A3 (30x42cm) is the most popular size — big enough to make a statement, but small enough to fit above a bed or desk. A2 (42x60cm) is a bold, statement-making size for large, blank walls. Read more →
Shipping & Delivery
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping is calculated at checkout. I offer free worldwide shipping on all orders over $200 USD. For orders under $200 USD, shipping is a flat rate of $14.95 USD worldwide.
How long does shipping take?
For Australian orders, shipping typically takes 3–7 business days. For international orders, shipping typically takes 7–14 business days, depending on the destination. I will send you a tracking number as soon as your order is dispatched.
How do you pack the artwork to keep it safe?
I take packing very seriously. Prints are carefully rolled in acid-free tissue paper and placed in a protective mailing tube. Originals are wrapped in acid-free glassine paper, protected with rigid cardboard backing, and shipped in a sturdy, Australia Post-approved box. Your artwork will arrive safe and ready to be framed.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, I ship worldwide. Please note that for international orders, you may be responsible for any customs duties, taxes, or import fees required by your country. These fees are not included in the shipping cost.
Will I get a tracking number?
Yes. As soon as your order is dispatched, you will receive an email with a tracking number so you can follow your artwork’s journey to your door.
Framing & Care
How do I frame my print or original?
The golden rule is to never let the paper touch the glass. Use a mat board or a float frame to create a small gap between the artwork and the glass. This allows the paper to breathe and prevents moisture damage. For frames, black, natural wood, and white are all excellent choices depending on the mood of your room. Read more →
How do you care for an acrylic painting on paper?
Caring for an acrylic painting on paper is surprisingly simple. Keep it out of direct, harsh sunlight to prevent fading, avoid humid areas like bathrooms or laundries, and if it ever gets dusty, gently wipe it with a soft, dry microfibre cloth. The most important thing is to frame it with a mat or a float frame to keep the paper off the glass, which allows the painting to breathe and prevents moisture damage. Read more →
What is a Certificate of Authenticity, and what do I do with it?
Every original painting comes with a signed Certificate of Authenticity and a Provenance Card. These documents prove that your piece is a genuine, one-of-a-kind work by Tina Fletcher. Store them somewhere safe — they add significant value to your artwork over time.
Returns & Policies
What is your returns policy?
We do not accept returns for change of mind. I am a small business, and every piece is carefully packed and shipped with love. Because each artwork is unique and handmade, I ask that you please take the time to confirm you truly want the piece before you place your order. If you have any questions about a piece, or if you are unsure about sizing, framing, or placement, please reach out to me before purchasing.
What if my artwork arrives damaged?
If your artwork arrives damaged in transit, please take a photo of the packaging and the damage, and contact me within 48 hours of delivery. I will work with you to arrange a replacement or a refund, depending on the circumstances.
Can I cancel my order?
If you need to cancel your order, please contact me immediately. If the order has not yet been packed and dispatched, I can usually cancel it. Once it has been shipped, I am unable to cancel it.
Deeper Into the Studio: Technique & Process
Explore the mechanics of the Active Void technique and the philosophy behind it.
What is Active Void painting?
Active Void is a high-contrast acrylic technique where the artist paints the entire paper surface black first, then carves the subject out of the darkness using pure white light. It is an instinct-driven approach built on texture, negative space, and the belief that the dark background is doing half the work. Read more →
Why do artists paint the background dark before adding light?
Painting the background dark before adding light creates a unified void that forces the artist to carve the subject out using only pale tones. This approach removes the distraction of a white canvas, creates intense dramatic contrast, and allows the unpainted dark space to actively shape the subject, acting as a natural shadow and depth-builder. Read more →
What is negative space in painting — and why leave parts unpainted?
Negative space is the empty area surrounding a subject in a painting, and in the Active Void technique, it is just as important as the painted parts. Leaving parts intentionally unpainted forces the viewer’s eye to focus on the light, creates deep atmospheric tension, and allows the dark background to act as a natural frame without the artist having to paint a background at all. Read more →
What is tenebrism, and does anyone still paint that way?
Tenebrism is a dramatic painting technique that uses extreme, almost theatrical contrasts between deep shadows and harsh light. It was made famous by the 17th-century artist Caravaggio, and while the style has evolved, the core idea is still very much alive today. I use a modern, stripped-back version of it in my Active Void technique, where deep textured gesso voids act as the shadow and pure white acrylic acts as the light. Read more →
How does an artist decide what to leave out of a painting?
Deciding what to leave out of a painting is often harder than deciding what to put in. After thirty years working as a designer, I learned that the elements you remove create the clarity, tension, and emotional impact of the final piece. I now treat the decision to leave parts unpainted as an instinct, stopping the moment the painting says what it needs to say, and trusting the empty space to do the rest. Read more →
How long does an acrylic painting actually take?
For a standalone piece, the physical painting takes about two to three days from gesso to final white highlights. But I rarely paint just one. I work in collections of six to eight pieces at a time, so the total production cycle for a full collection takes about two to four days of intensive painting, plus the upfront sketching, planning, and drying time between layers. It is a marathon, not a sprint. Read more →
Deeper Into the Studio: Buying & Decorating
Practical guides for choosing, hanging, and styling art in your home.
Does black and white art work in a colourful room?
Absolutely. In fact, black and white art is one of the easiest pieces to place in a colourful room, because it acts as a visual anchor. Instead of competing with your existing colours, it sits quietly in the background, allowing the room’s palette to play while providing a crisp, dramatic focal point that actually pulls a busy space together. Read more →
Does monochrome art work in a colourful room?
Absolutely — and not just black and white. In my work, monochrome means using a single, deep base colour (plum, teal, charcoal, or ochre) as the background, with pure white light carving out the subject. Because the base is always dark enough to create high contrast, monochrome art acts as a grounding, sophisticated anchor that ties even the most colourful, eclectic rooms together without competing with them. Read more →
How do you hang dark artwork in a bright room?
Dark artwork relies on high contrast, so placing it in a bright room requires a little strategy. Let the natural light hit the white highlights, give the piece plenty of breathing room on the wall, and use a simple frame that doesn’t distract from the painting. And if you want to test it before you buy, I have an augmented reality viewer on my site that lets you see exactly how it will look on your own wall. Read more →
What size art print suits a bedroom wall?
For a standard bedroom wall, an A3 print (roughly 30x42cm) is the sweet spot — big enough to make a statement, but small enough to sit comfortably above a bed, a side table, or a dresser. If you want more impact or have a large, empty wall, an A2 print (42x60cm) works beautifully. And if you are building a gallery wall, an A4 print (21x30cm) pairs perfectly with other pieces. Read more →
Why does monochrome art feel calming?
Monochrome art feels calming because it removes the chaos of competing colours. When your brain only has to process one dominant tone, it doesn’t have to work as hard to make sense of what it’s seeing. That leaves you with a quiet, grounded feeling — like the visual equivalent of a deep breath. Read more →
How do you start buying art on a normal budget?
You start small. You start with prints. And you start by buying something that genuinely makes you feel something when you look at it. Buying art doesn’t have to be a terrifying financial leap. It is a slow, gentle process of training your eye, building confidence, and slowly filling your space with pieces that actually mean something to you. Read more →
What’s the difference between buying an original painting and a print?
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. Read more →
How can I see artwork on my wall before I buy it?
The best way is to use an augmented reality viewer right on the artist’s website. You simply hold up your phone or tablet, point it at any wall in your home, and the artwork appears there on your wall in real time, in the exact size it would be in real life. It takes about ten seconds, it removes all the guesswork, and it lets you test a piece in different rooms before you commit. Read more →
How do you care for an acrylic painting on paper?
Caring for an acrylic painting on paper is surprisingly simple. Keep it out of direct, harsh sunlight to prevent fading, avoid humid areas like bathrooms or laundries, and if it ever gets dusty, gently wipe it with a soft, dry microfibre cloth. The most important thing is to frame it with a mat or a float frame to keep the paper off the glass, which allows the painting to breathe and prevents moisture damage. Read more →
Nightlife Collection: Questions & Inspiration
The stories behind the animals that inspired the Nightlife collection.
Which Australian animals are nocturnal?
Australia is home to some of the most fascinating night-time creatures on the planet. Our most iconic nocturnal animals include the koala, the ringtail possum, the flying fox, the barn owl, the green tree frog, and the frilled-neck lizard. These are the animals that own the night, and they are the exact creatures I chose to feature in my Nightlife collection. Read more →
What is a frilled-neck lizard’s frill actually for?
The frill is a built-in panic button. When the lizard feels threatened, it throws open its spectacular frill, opens its mouth wide, and hisses loudly to make itself look bigger and more intimidating than it actually is. It is a dramatic, theatrical display designed to startle predators long enough for the lizard to make its escape — all bark, zero bite. Read more →
Are ringtail possums good to have in your garden?
Yes, absolutely. Ringtail possums are gentle, native herbivores that help pollinate native plants and add a wonderful sense of life to your garden. The only catch is that they are expert roof-hoppers, and they will treat your gutters and powerlines like their own personal highway system. They are good for the garden, but they are also a little bit cheeky. Read more →
Why do green tree frogs come inside Queensland houses?
Green tree frogs come inside Queensland houses for three simple reasons: they love the warmth, they love the damp, and they love the insects that are drawn to your porch lights. They are not looking for trouble. They are just looking for a cosy, bug-filled spot to set up camp. And once they find it, they are very hard to evict. Read more →
What makes Australian wildlife art different from generic animal art?
Australian wildlife art is different because it carries a lived-in energy. It’s not about painting a perfect, posed animal from a reference photo. It’s about capturing the fleeting, real-life moments you actually experience — a possum caught in a torchlight, a frog staring at you from the laundry sink, a kangaroo standing still in the dark. It’s deeply personal, deeply Australian, and it doesn’t try to be anything else. Read more →