Art Cards, Editions & Originals

What is an ACEO?

ACEOs are miniature pieces of art that measure 2-1/2" x 3-1/2". If a small piece of art has different measurements than this, it does not qualify as an ACEO.

The acronym "ACEO" stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals. They can be original art, print editions or photographs.

The majority of ACEOs are two dimensional, but three dimensional elements may also be incorporated. Pop-ups, books, collages, and sculpture can all be ACEOs as long as they measure 2-1/2" x 3-1/2"!

ACEO history

ACEOs stemmed off of Artist Trading Cards (ATCs), an idea developed by the artist M.Vänçi Stirnemann. He based the size of ATCs on sports trading cards. ATCs can only be traded or given away. Their purpose is to share art and to encourage creative exchange between artists.

Like ATCs, ACEOs may be made with any media, material, or method as long as they measure 2-1/2" x 3-1/2".

ACEOs are made with the intention to sell. The artist Lisa Luree started the ACEO group on eBay in part to make cards available to collectors.

Support

Your chosen medium will determine the best support for your ACEO. A sturdy support will help your artwork last longer. If your creation is somewhat flimsy, mount it onto a sturdier base. Whenever possible, invest in acid free support stock (and glues if you will be mounting your ACEO).

You can purchase die-cut blank cards made out of lovely papers or 140# water color stock. Experiment with as many of these as you can before you invest in a lot of blank cards.

Some papers may not be the same quality or weight that you usually use. You can always ask a seller what brand of paper they will be supplying before you buy!

You can cut your own blanks with a cork-backed ruler and a cutting blade. Or invest in a small, quality paper cutter. Paper cutters with a rotary blade do a nice job. I use the paper I have trimmed from regular paintings to make my ACEOs. The cards may not have the perfect measurements of a die cut blank, but they have the character of an original piece of art made by a somewhat measurement-challenged human!

Media

Treat yourself to professional grade materials: they will last you through many, many ACEOs!

There is no limit on what you can use for your ACEOS: oils, pastels, acrylic, pencils, watercolor, inks, collage, torn paper, crayons, polymer clay, cloth, photography, and any combination of the following!

Brushes

Please consider buying only synthetic brushes. What fun is painting when you know an animal had to give up its life for your brush? The quality range for synthetic brushes is the same as for brushes made with animal hair: Some are well-made and do what they should do, and some are poorly made and can't handle what you need from them.

For watermedia, choose a brush that has a good point and enough body to hold paint. If you use crosshatching in your work, look for finer point brushes.

Protecting and Displaying ACEOs

coming soon.

Mailing

coming soon.

How To's

coming soon:
  • Trading Cards for kids
  • Triptych collage Halloween
  • Watercolor card
  • Colored pencil card
  • Mixed media
  • Polymer clay
  • Handmade book for display
  • Envelopes

Suppliers

coming soon:

Books

There are many more art books that can teach and inspire than the ones listed here. The books listed here are more readily available than others. Some of these books are rare and,thus, expensive. Even if your local library doesn't have a copy, most libraries have exchange programs. Ask your librarian! He or she may have know of other helpful books as well. You can also check a used-bookstore or ebay for the titles below and for additional titles that may no longer be in print. The titles below are either still in print or are available used at Amazon or eBay.

Artist Trading Card Workshop: Create, Collect, Swap by Bernie Berlin Read Reviews from Amazon!

Miniature Painting: A Complete Guide to Techniques, Mediums, and Surface by Joan Cornish Willies

Big Art Small Canvas: Paint Easier, Faster & Better by Joyce Washor Read Reviews from Amazon!

The Techniques of Painting Miniatures by Sue Burton This book gives an interesting and concise history of miniatures (which were named after the red lead pigment minium which was often used in painting). Photographs follow several miniaturists step-by-step through their paintings. Artist recommendations on brush sizes (ranging from size 000 to size 4) are given. Many of the miniatures in this book are painted on sheets of Ivorine, a plastic substitute for ivory. Ivorine appears to be too delicate and temperamental for ACEOs, but the luminous character of this base shows through in the illustrations.

Information on the Web

coming soon.