Oil paintings and decorative prints are increasingly difficult to distinguish at a glance, especially when viewed online, framed behind glass, or described using confident but imprecise language. Textured surfaces, visible brush-like marks, and traditional presentation often create the impression that a piece must be hand-painted, even when modern printing and finishing techniques are designed specifically to replicate that look. Over time, repeated descriptions and visual cues substitute for verification. Understanding how this confusion forms matters because mistaking a decorative print for an original oil painting can inflate expectations, complicate insurance and resale, and create credibility problems when the medium is later questioned.
DJR Real vs. Fake™ guides are designed to help readers understand what commonly goes wrong before money, reputation, or documentation is committed.
This guide explains how professionals think about the difference between oil paintings and decorative prints, focusing on:
Where surface appearance creates false confidence
Why texture, framing, and presentation are often misleading
How context is mistaken for conclusion in artwork evaluation
Where uncertainty enters when visual resemblance is treated as proof
Inside this guide, readers will learn how to:
Separate surface texture from method of creation
Recognize why painterly effects do not confirm originality
Understand how language and presentation shape assumptions
Identify when restraint is the correct decision
Avoid relying on framing, stories, or retail descriptions
Decide when professional escalation may or may not make sense
This guide does not authenticate items or assign value.
Its purpose is to restore clarity, enforce restraint, and prevent irreversible mistakes at the decision stage.
Digital Download — PDF • 4 Pages • Instant Access
Oil paintings and decorative prints are increasingly difficult to distinguish at a glance, especially when viewed online, framed behind glass, or described using confident but imprecise language. Textured surfaces, visible brush-like marks, and traditional presentation often create the impression that a piece must be hand-painted, even when modern printing and finishing techniques are designed specifically to replicate that look. Over time, repeated descriptions and visual cues substitute for verification. Understanding how this confusion forms matters because mistaking a decorative print for an original oil painting can inflate expectations, complicate insurance and resale, and create credibility problems when the medium is later questioned.
DJR Real vs. Fake™ guides are designed to help readers understand what commonly goes wrong before money, reputation, or documentation is committed.
This guide explains how professionals think about the difference between oil paintings and decorative prints, focusing on:
Where surface appearance creates false confidence
Why texture, framing, and presentation are often misleading
How context is mistaken for conclusion in artwork evaluation
Where uncertainty enters when visual resemblance is treated as proof
Inside this guide, readers will learn how to:
Separate surface texture from method of creation
Recognize why painterly effects do not confirm originality
Understand how language and presentation shape assumptions
Identify when restraint is the correct decision
Avoid relying on framing, stories, or retail descriptions
Decide when professional escalation may or may not make sense
This guide does not authenticate items or assign value.
Its purpose is to restore clarity, enforce restraint, and prevent irreversible mistakes at the decision stage.
Digital Download — PDF • 4 Pages • Instant Access
Image 1 of 1