I sometimes forget that I have more than your average understanding of framing than most people from my MANY years working at the frame shop!
There are countless ways you can frame art, depending on what it is made of, what your aesthetic is, and what you have access to. The big questions are always based on preserving the art, and preferences for the look!
So, let's dive into the different aspects of framing, what they can look like, and why they are important. Specifically I want to chat about framing options for paintings/art that DON'T require glass. i.e. art on canvas or panel that has been varnished.
2-D art generally needs either glass or to be varnished to be safe from the elements and UV protection from fading. That means your standard drawing/painting on paper needs glass, paper especially is vulnerable to fading, and getting eating by the little bugs we don't want to think about in our homes, but we will dive into that a different day.
Art on canvas or panel usually means it has stretcher bars or support pieces behind the flat surface, so you have something to attach hanging materials to if you want to not frame it at all and leave it raw.
If you do want to add a frame, there are two main options I use and suggest for paintings: floater frames, and traditional frames.
Floater frames? That means the frame is not touching the edges of the painting, which gives the effect of floating inside the frame rather than sitting inside. This is by far my favorite way to frame my art, and abstract art in general as it feels like it it doesn't distract from the art, but supports it n a minimal way. There are SO many types of floater frames. Some are very thin and simple, while others can be much more ornate with textures and can be much more thick that the standard ones I use. You can also add a regular frame (with a lip meant to have the art sit in) to a floater frame, essentially turning any regular frame into a floater....... As I said, the options are endless!
Again, this is my go-to for all my art, big and small. It gives the art a nice finish without being obtrusive.
Traditional frames? That is any frame that has a rabbit (lip) that sits on top of the art. This is the usual go-to for most people first getting anything framed. There are also one million optiosn for this rout! Big, small, textured, gold leafed, metal, etc. If you and your art and aesthetic are more traditional then this can be a great option for you as well!
The visual limitations for me is that the art is getting covered, just a tiny bit, but it can feel at times that the frame is crowding the art rather than supporting it. If you love this rout, make sure you talk to your framer about getting the right size and style for what you are framing. Going just basic for traditional like a matte black or wood grain can sometimes take away from the art.
We're just skimming the surface of framing here, but its a great place to start, and the most common questions I get asked about for displaying my art.
We will dive into framing with glass and mats next month, but in the meantime, shoot me any questions you have about framing. I love to chat art and make sure everyone is framing their art so it will last forever!
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