A painting on canvas or on paper - what's the difference? And what formats do you paint in?

The decision as to whether it should be a mixed media painting on canvas or on paper is ultimately entirely up to you. Sometimes you fall in love with a very specific work - and the medium is secondary. I offer paintings on different media and in different formats: The mixed media works on canvas can be hung directly and do not need to be framed. All canvas paintings are painted on the edge and most of them come with a picture wire on the back, which you can use to hang the painting professionally on a hook in the wall. My paintings are mainly painted on stretcher frames with a wide frame in artist quality. These canvases are not only high quality, but the wide frame also looks elegant. But perhaps your taste lies more with framed, flatter works? My paintings on paper (mainly in the usual Din formats) usually come without a frame, as a frame is an individual, personal taste and has to match the interior. In these cases, you buy your own individual frame and can frame and hang the picture as you wish. If you prefer to have a complete package of picture and frame delivered, it is also possible for me to order a suitable frame for you in consultation with you and send you the framed picture directly (prices on request). Of course, a frame like this also gives a picture an elegant look - but it will always reflect something, even if you choose a version that is as anti-reflective as possible when you buy it. I personally feel that an (unframed) canvas painting invites the viewer in and "draws" them into its world, whereas a framed paper picture projects outwards and reflects into the room. The usual formats for my canvas mixed media paintings are: 50x50, 50x60, 50x70, 60x80, 60x90, 70x100 and 80x80, whereby I mainly work on edge (some of the works are also horizontal, however). For my works on paper I mostly use the formats Din A2 and Din A1. If you commission a custom painting from me, you are, of course, welcome to choose other formats in consultation with me.

FAQs Archive | Sonja Neuroth

Q: I'm not sure if this painting really fits my taste and into my home. Can you help me?

Are you unsure if you really like the picture shown on this page and if it's "yours"? Or if it will really fit into your home? My paintings are often very intense in color and rich in detail. Not everything can always be captured in photos, and the original colors sometimes differ from those in the photo. If you are looking for something very specific for your home or are unsure if you like the pictured artwork in all its details, please feel free to contact me. I can provide you with additional photos (including detail shots of a specific area) or videos of the artwork. If it's about whether it will fit your home in terms of color or style, please send me photos of the specific spot where you'd like to hang it, and I can visualize the artwork there for you using a photo montage or provide you with any further information you might need.

Q: How do I properly care for my new original painting?

A painting is inherently "low-maintenance." It's perfectly sufficient to dust it occasionally (preferably with a feather duster – not a damp cloth). I use artist-quality paints that are as durable and fade-resistant as possible. Additionally, I protect the paints with a varnish, which is a protective layer, so they remain vibrant for as long as possible. Nevertheless, it is recommended not to choose a location for the painting that is exposed to direct sunlight from the very beginning – so that the colors do not fade. Excessive humidity in the room should also be avoided.

Q: How does the shipment for original paintings work?

When you order your new painting from me, I will check it again before packing, clean it and usually attach a picture wire so that you can hang it up immediately. I also issue a certificate of authenticity and write a personal handwritten message with a dedication to you. I pack each painting according to the best practices in art shipping and as securely as possible. In particular, I secure the corners and use bubble wrap to ensure that everything arrives safely. I usually ship paintings up to 80cm within Germany with DHL; for larger paintings and abroad I use other providers (Hermes, DPD or UPS). If one of these providers works best for you, please let me know. If shipping with this provider makes sense in your case, I will be happy to arrange shipping according to your preferred provider. In any case, you will receive a tracking code by email, which you can use to check when your parcel has been announced for. If you agree at the time of ordering that I may pass on your e-mail address to the shipping service provider, you will also be informed directly by them when your delivery is imminent.

Q: Is it possible to pay my new painting or commissioned works in installments?

Yes, in individual cases this is possible. However, the artwork will remain with me until the final payment has been made. Installment payments are currently not available through the shop, and an additional fee applies for this option. If you’d like to use this option, feel free to contact me directly—I can then make you a personalized offer for the piece you’re interested in.

Q: Which styles and materials do you use in your paintings?

For each series I lay down some "rules" before painting, so in this series I concentrate on one style and also limit the materials used a little. However, there are some components that I always fall back on: My approach to materials is "mixed media", which means that I basically combine different media in each picture. I do this because I want to make use of the best properties of each material: I start with a charcoal drawing and then build up further layers layer by layer; from transparent to opaque. In this process I usually use: collage techniques, acrylic ink, spray paints, markers, acrylic paints and finally oil paints. Oil paints are now almost always used, as they bring an enormous vibrancy to pictures that can only be achieved to a limited extent with acrylic paints. In some of my paintings, the proportion of oil paint is very high, while in others I only use it for the final layer to give them that certain something. This varies a little from series to series. I also deliberately start some paintings on a black base coat and paint them with lighter colors to create a very specific glow that the black background gives to some colors. In terms of style, my basis is abstract realism - this means that parts of the painting are realistic (usually the figures), while in other places (e.g. the background) it becomes abstract. As my painting style is very fast and expressive, this is the best mixture for me. However, I am also inspired by other styles from time to time and integrate small aspects of them into my art, e.g. art deco, surrealism, tattoo design (fineline).

Q: Is every painting unique? And what if my favorite painting is already sold?

Yes, every artwork is unique – but I do have art prints made from some of them, which are then marked as art prints and are less valuable. Each original painting comes with a certificate of authenticity, which records the artwork and its value at the time of sale. With this, you have my confirmation of authenticity as the artist. If your favorite piece has already been sold, feel free to look around to see if there isn't another one in a similar style (for example, from the same series with the same underlying theme). You will find here a portfolio of all my works since 2024. If you are looking for something specific (e.g., a particular animal or a picture in specific colors), please feel free to contact me, so I can help you find "your" picture. I never paint the same subject twice, so it is not possible to reproduce the same picture again. However, it is possible to, commission a custom piece from me, which can be inspired by existing works. In such a commission, I can incorporate the elements you loved from your original favorite piece while also including your individual personal wishes.

Q: Do I need a frame to hang my new painting? And how to hang it?

You don't need an extra frame for my paintings on canvas. The sides are painted or printed (in the case of art prints) and it is ready to hang. Works on paper, on the other hand, should be framed. As a rule, I deliver my paper paintings without a frame, as tastes differ and the frame should match the furnishings. However, if you wish, I can order a suitable frame for the respective painting for an individual surcharge and deliver both together. Just write to me so that we can find a suitable solution for you. The paintings on canvas and (exceptionally) already framed works on paper are ready to hang. They are either fitted with a picture hook or a picture wire that allows the picture to be aligned on the wall. For most pictures, it is perfectly sufficient to hammer a single nail into the wall - I only recommend two nails for greater stability with larger works from 90 cm upwards (especially with landscape formats or square formats). It is not necessary to drill a hole in the wall. If you buy a frame yourself to frame a canvas or a work on paper, please pay attention to the instructions that come with the frame, as it may well be that a different procedure to the one I have suggested is necessary.

Q: How do I find the right mixed media original painting for myself?

An original painting and the decision to hang it in your home is something very personal. Of course, the painting should appeal to you visually and also fit into your home in terms of color and style. But my art is much more than that: my art collectors are often magically attracted not only by the look of a painting, but also by the stories and meanings behind the pictures. My recommendation is to first look at the titles and short descriptions of the series to see which one appeals to you most thematically. Then pay attention to which painting catches your eye again and again. And then read through the titles and descriptions of the paintings. Perhaps you even have your own associations with the respective painting that are not in the description? That's okay too, because of course everyone sees something different in each picture. And perhaps the animal or person depicted reminds you of something or someone from your own personal life. I would be happy to help you if you are unsure whether a picture you have your eye on really fits in the place in your home where you would like to hang it. If you need more photos of a picture or would like to send me a photo of the corner where you would like to hang the picture - so that I can advise you, please feel free to contact me. Feel free to contact me as well if you are looking for something special: a painting in certain colors or on a certain theme. If this painting is not yet available from me or if all paintings of this type are currently sold, you can also contact me. Your very own commissioned work designed to your specifications.