Small vs. Large Artwork: What to Choose
The size of an artwork is essential to how the artwork is perceived and what response it provokes. Large artworks command attention, influencing passerby to stop and look from a distance, while smaller artworks draw a viewer in from afar to examine their detail. When designing a piece of art, size is a crucial factor to take into account. Do we want the artwork to stand out and make a statement? Or do we want the piece to be an accent to the interior design? While both large and small artworks can make an impact on a room, they serve different purposes in a space and need to be placed accordingly.
mini screen print I, mini screen print III, mini screen print IV
design by Laura Brophy Interiors
Small artworks are useful accessories to add a pop of color, a bit of texture, or an interesting graphic to a space. Due to their smaller size, they can be brighter in color or bolder in design and it won’t distract from the rest of the space, allowing someone to be more adventurous in their choice of artwork. Although a small artwork influences a more limited area, it can still add an intriguing or unexpected element to a room, especially since it can be more detailed in its design. It is crucial that smaller artworks are hung or placed in a manner that doesn’t diminish their size. Surrounding artworks by similarly sized items is an effective way to make them fit into a space. In one of her projects, Laura Brophy Interiors placed some of our Mini Screen Prints on a shelf in a kitchen surrounded by glasses, plates, and vases. The circle designs in the silkscreens mirror one another and create a playful interplay, connecting the rows of shelves to one another. In another kitchen, she used a one of a kind painting by VC artist Erin to rest on a shelf next to antique vases and bowls. The layered texture of the artwork plays off the antique finishes of the objects, creating a stimulating visual treat.
design by Jessie Ann Design
eclipse (tan + orange), custom eclipse (ash green + warm green)
design by Jenn Feldman Designs
Large artworks have the power to transform a space entirely, becoming the dominant element of a room. With that comes the greater responsibility of selecting a large artwork for a space due to the influence it can have. Larger artworks can elicit a powerful emotional response and are the perfect opportunity to make a statement in a space. Our XL silkscreens are some of the larger pieces we offer and are the perfect fit for above a console, bed, or sofa. Jessie Ann Design used our XL Horizons silkscreen in the indigo colorway above a console in one of her projects. The batman black ink used in the silkscreen complements the black accents in the room and ties the whole space together. Jenn Feldman Designs used two custom XL Eclipse silkscreens on opposite walls of a breakfast nook of a family home she worked on. The two silkscreens bring color and brightness into the neutral room, while adding a playful and graphic element.
design by KVID and Redline Design Group
high contrast (green), high contrast (black)
design by KVID and Redline Design Group
No matter the size of the space, pairing multiple artworks together helps to fill a wall and create visual intrigue. Using repeating shapes, colors, or motifs creates harmony between the artworks and makes the wall look balanced. KVID paired two of our High Contrast silkscreens together to fit the space above a couch in her Lending Tree project. The geometric forms complement one another and the bold, solid colors draw the viewer’s eye in. In the same project, KVID hung a selection of our Retro Panels together in a hallway. The repeating shapes in the series of artworks create visual harmony and the bright colors all fit the retro theme.
