Framing an Original or a Print
Original Oil Painting Frame (Left), Original Pastel Painting Frame (Right)
You have brought the art, you can’t wait to receive it, it’s in the post! You have the space on the mantelpiece or the living room wall. But here is another question that seeps into your mind. How on earth do I frame it, or, do I even need to? It can get a little confusing knowing what to do. Here are some handy tips for getting the best out of your piece of art.
The Surface of an Original vs a Print
Oil paintings, Pastel Paintings, Watercolour Paintings, all of which have different surface qualities - Oils will possess the most texture, creating highlights with their bigger brushstrokes and impasto style, Pastels - are a chalk like material that is very sensitive to touch, Watercolour - once dried is permanent but is susceptible to damage if it comes into contact with other liquids whereas prints are finished with a flat, smooth texture, usually created by the high-quality of the paper stock coupled with the ink (dye-based or pigment) that is used by the printer.
To preserve your Artwork
An Oil Painting (Left) without Glass, a Pen Drawing (Right) with Glass
Oil paintings are traditionally framed without glass or any other type of protective surface, this is due to the paint taking a long period of time to dry, where any moisture or dust ‘trapped’ within may cause unwanted damage. On the whole, Original Oil paintings do not need a protective surface as they are more robust and can easily survive, just remember that the artist will sometimes ‘varnish’ the piece. On the other hand Prints/Pastels and Watercolours are usually framed behind a glass or perspex cover to protect against light, moisture, dust, fingers, splashes etc.
To Mount or not to mount
Framing top to bottom: A; The outer Frame, B; Glass, C; The Print, D; Matting or Mount, E; Back Board.
For Oil paintings, there are usually no requirements for mounting, and I would not suggest it. Oil paints and the additives used in its creation require it to ‘breathe’ and trying to encompass it with matting (a board with a window) will create a number of issues such as bleeding onto the paper. Mounting for Prints, Original Pastels or Original Watercolour Paintings on the other-hand can add aesthetic value and create a ‘space’ between the piece and the glass protecting it. There are a few techniques to understand. Matting (placing a border around the print), Dry-mounting (applying a board to the reverse of the print) and Float-mounting (allowing the print to ‘float’ within the frame.)
Regarding the different mounting techniques, you can use a few at a time, for example, Matting a frame around (creating one, or even three ‘borders’) and Dry-mounting will add aesthetic properties to the piece and make sure the piece does not warp.
Framing to look good!
With Original Oil paintings, there are many, many styles of frames in existence from Ornate to Modern, we would recommend to find a frame that enhances the piece itself. Framing a Print, Original Pastel Painting or Original Watercolour Painting gives you a little more option in flexibility. Firstly, you choose the matting (or board with a window), there are many colours to choose from! Then the frame itself, similar to the Original Oil Painting, who have a huge choice in style, colour and material from classic, Gilded frames to Modern Oak. After investing in the first instance, we strongly suggest working with a local framing company (this is one in Peterborough), not only are you supporting a local business but they will give you insight/thoughts/recommendations on many options in style who will then make a bespoke frame that fits your needs.
