Framing art simply implies mounting it inside of a picture frame, usually behind glass. Fine art, art prints, antique posters, photographs, or any other piece of artwork can be protected against UV rays, water, dust, and scratches by framing. By highlighting colors and details and giving the artwork a more polished appearance, frames can raise their value and improve their appearance.
Extreme environmental changes, such as those in humidity, heat, and lighting, can harm artwork. Mold may develop on canvases, paper, or even paint itself if the art frame grows and enables contact with the environment. Additionally, these negative impacts may cause colors to lose their vibrancy and pigments to fade. When hanging art, keep the following in mind:
- Keep your artwork away from heat sources. Artwork should be protected from smoke by being framed behind glass. In some instances, soot damage from burning candles is also possible.
- In direct sunshine, some pigments deteriorate. Always choose a wall that has some shade. Aside from that, keep pieces of art away from light sources unless they are LEDs.
- Hanging artwork on freshly plastered or moist walls should be avoided, especially if those walls are near air vents.
- Avoid using a cloth when dusting artwork; use a soft artist's brush instead. The paint's surface may be harmed or scratched by this.
Not all pieces of art require framing. Many times, a frame is utterly unnecessary. In fact, several painters from the early 20th century ignored frames entirely. Leaving a piece of art unframed causes the viewer's attention to focus exclusively on the piece, emphasizing it as an object.
The canvas is stretched using the gallery wrap technique, which secures the canvas to the rear of the stretcher bars rather than to their sides. When the piece is placed without a frame, the sides of the canvas are smooth and devoid of any obvious staples or tacks, giving it a polished appearance. The sides of paintings are frequently extended or painted in a complimentary neutral by the artist.
Types of Art Frames
Choosing the best kinds of art frames can seem a little overwhelming. How do you know which of the various frame finishes, display designs, and materials will look best? Let's explore different types of frames, what makes them distinctive, and some popular ways to display them.
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Gallery Frame
A mat is used in gallery frames to raise the frame-in-frame illusion that is frequently seen in museum installations. Put your most valued artworks in this type of frame, then group a few of them to make the gallery wall you've always wanted. For a striking effect, try assembling a collection of four or more frames. Don't be afraid to mix and match frame finishes along the way because it adds variety and visual appeal. Additionally, it's an easy shortcut to the kind of subdued yet elegant color palette that unites different elements of the room.
Modern Frame
Modern frame designs have a slim profile that allows your canvas art to take centerstage for a simple appearance, emphasizing the art. For an impressive display, combine two huge frames or mix and match various sizes of smaller frames. Keep in mind that your frames don't necessarily need to match the other metal finishes in your room just because you have them.
Floating Frame
To provide the appearance that your print is floating on the wall, floating frames employ clear glass or acrylic in place of a mat. These frames add subtle, one-of-a-kind details that give your art startling depth and dimension. Some floating frames also employ frame-grade acrylic to enhance UV protection and save weight. The floating frame serves as a showcase for "the one." It creates the illusion that your iconic masterpiece is standing alone and grabbing everyone's attention where it belongs.
Deep-set Frame
A deeper mat and deeper frame are used in deep-set frames to drive the attention inward towards the artwork, taking a page out of the shadow box playbook. This distinctive profile adds depth where none previously existed by casting a soft internal shadow. For a tiered appearance, try placing this frame design along a mantel or shelf. To maximize the visual impact of the deep-set artwork, space out the placement of your other decorations.
How to Choose a Painting Frame
When framing artwork, there are a lot of things to take into account. The goal of a frame should be to draw attention to the artwork and shield it from outside elements that could deteriorate its appearance over time. The appropriate framing, which is a form of art in itself, can significantly improve an artwork. It's crucial to take into account the painting's medium and the support it's on, in addition to the frame's aesthetic qualities. You can make accommodations for things that might affect the artwork if it is not framed properly by being aware of their properties. Here are some considerations to make while picking the ideal frame.
Color, Material, and Style
While it's crucial to choose a frame that is less striking than your artwork, frames that are too similar in color or too decorated should also be avoided. Consider how a frame can best display the piece; for instance, a black frame on a light painting can provide contrast and make the piece stand out. The location of the artwork's presentation is a crucial factor, but for optimum results, select the ideal frame for the piece rather than trying to match it to another frame.
The frame style will be suggested by the painting's style. For instance, a classic gold-leafed frame or a lovely dark wood frame is ideal for paintings with classical subjects. Paintings that are lighter or more abstract typically look better in simpler frames, like a box frame with a thin border. You might select a frame that blends old and modern styles for paintings with in-between subject matter. Black or white are always wise selections if you're not sure whether to add color to a frame. Simple black frames can provide depth and drama, and white frames go well with brightly colored artwork and white walls.
Framing Paper-Based Art
A piece of paper should be protected by a frame while also attracting attention to its aesthetic appeal. The handling and framing of artwork created with mediums like graphite, charcoal, or pastel is delicate and needs to be done with caution. Additionally, watercolor drawings on paper might be brittle. The ideal way to frame these pieces of art is with a mount, or "mat." The work will be better protected from deterioration if the mounts and backings are 100% acid-free.
By separating the artwork from the frame and focusing attention on it, the mount aids in highlighting the piece. By preventing the glass from directly touching the artwork, they also aid in the preservation of delicate pieces of art. Condensation resulting from this can harm the paper by allowing mould and mildew to grow. While a mount is not required, it usually improves the appearance of works of art on paper and gives them a more sophisticated appearance. When a work of art on paper is 'floated' above the mat, a framer will utilize materials of the highest conservation standard to safeguard the back of the piece.
The most common mounts are typically neutral in color, while various hues can give an artwork an intriguing new depth. Think about using double matting if you want to add a subtle color. The windows of the two mats are cut such that just about 1/4 in. of color is visible from the top of the colorful mat, which is positioned beneath the neutral mat. A "liner," typically a piece of wood that functions as a separate inner frame and is slotted beneath the rebate around the inner edge of the frame, can also be used to frame the artwork.
Additionally, it's crucial to confirm that the glass includes a UV filter. This is essential for shielding artwork from UV radiation, which will cause it to fade over time. The ideal glass is low-reflective because it does not obstruct the viewing of the artwork. Large artworks can benefit from acrylic glazing, often known as Plexiglas, because it is significantly lighter than glass. Despite being relatively scratch-resistant, it is not shatter-proof. It typically offers about 60% UV protection and is available in standard and non-glare variants.
Framing Oil Paintings
When considering framing alternatives, it's crucial to consider the qualities of oil paintings. Oil paint dries through oxidation rather than water draining out of it, unlike acrylic or watercolor. After a few weeks, oil paintings may feel dry and be okay to handle, but depending on how thick the paint layers are, they frequently take considerably longer to totally dry.
For oil paintings, a varnish finish serves as a protective barrier. In addition to enhancing the colors, varnish stops debris from penetrating the paint's surface and harming it. Additionally, it forms a barrier to stop the paint from being scrubbed off during cleaning.
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Framing Acrylic and Mixed Media Artwork
Oil and acrylic paint dry in different ways, which may have an impact on how acrylic paintings are framed. Oil paintings become very hard films when they dry because of the oxidized oil. The degree of dilution of the acrylic with water will determine how easily the paint will soften in extreme heat. This may indicate that an acrylic painting may be susceptible to cracking if kept at unstable temperatures as it heats and then contracts as it cools.
When creating a mixed media piece, think about the proper mediums based on the composition of the painting. Three-dimensional pieces and impasto-heavy oil or acrylic paintings are frequently left unframed. Make sure to account for any additional dimensions that the materials may be contributing when framing this kind of artwork.
There are many different types of frames, therefore there are many options to make sure the frame matches the artwork. When framed improperly, a piece of art may be overshadowed or fail to receive the respect it merits. Get your artwork custom-framed for display, or purchase framing tools from an art supply store and do it yourself.
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