Nothing enhances a portrait like a stunning frame. A suitable frame can cost a hefty sum. So, the easiest way to improve your dog framed art is through DIY framing. The frame you choose can give your portrait another dimension. The style you use for framing becomes a part of it, affecting its appearance, longevity, and quality.
By framing a portrait yourself, you not only save money but also have complete creative control. Your portrait is now extra special because of the personal investment. It certainly doesn't hurt that this aids you in gaining a new skill along with giving you a chance to put old frames to good use.
Listed below is a collection of art framing tips to take your DIY frame to the next level.
Styling Tips:
- Conventional and formal frames are generally ornate. They are ideal if you want to make a statement. Ornate frames draw your eyes to the artwork. However, if they are not tastefully selected, they can overwhelm the portrait itself.
- Presumably, you need a wide frame for large art. Sometimes, however, a wide frame on a small painting can make it look larger, more extravagant. Additionally, a narrow frame for a larger portrait can give it a contemporary look.
- The color must compliment the painting. Usually, neutral colors do the trick. If your pet has blue eyes, a frame to match that color would make the portrait stand out.
Tips for oil Paintings:
- Oils need room to breathe. Hence, it is recommended that you avoid using glass for oil paintings.
- If you want to hang your portrait on the wall, open back frames are an excellent choice. They are sold as only the frame face. They don't come with backing material, glazing material, or hanging hardware. Open back frames are generally used for traditional profile stretched canvases. Also, they are deeper to fit.
- Oil paintings on canvas are usually quite stable, so hanging them without UV protection in indirect sunlight, doesn't do much damage. In this case, you can skip the glass that covers the front, and the mat.
- Be mindful of the frame depth. The frame depth indicates the frame rabbet which is the inside depth of the frame. It's the space where the content is placed and needs to be held in place. To ensure that a frame accommodates your portrait, look for a frame that has at least the same measured depth and frame depth. If you get a pre-made frame that isn't very deep, view it from the front to avoid seeing the extra canvas.
Hardware like an L-bracket, or clips can be used to attach the canvas to the frame. For hanging, screw eyes, and wire can be used but a sawtooth hanger is quite easy to operate.
Tips for Pastels, Acrylic, Conte, or Prints:
To frame for the long haul, ensure that the materials are archival or acid-free, a dust cover should be there on its back. Traditionally, there's a glass layer on the front but acrylic is also used sometimes. While acrylic is shatterproof and lightweight, it gets scratches easier than glass. Regardless of the material, it should be treated for protection against UV rays. Watercolors and textiles are sensitive media. For these, UV protection on the glass is not sufficient, they should be kept in darker lighting to prevent the colors from washing out.
If you want to frame it yourself, put a couple of pieces of tape on the back of the top corners of the art. Make sure it is facing up. Proceed to place a mat over the art and press the corners. Then, turn it over, and tape the other corners; the art should not be loose. Finally, tape all edges, put the mat behind the glass in the frame, and attach the backing board.
Linen tape is ideal as scotch or masking tape can dry out and start to crack. Avoid using a fixative on the art. The art should not touch the glass when done. Plexiglass attracts pastel particles, so avoid using that. Since, pastels can smear more than Conte and graphite, be careful while using them.
In conclusion, the frame you use for your portrait could either improve it or potentially ruin it. It's best to be mindful and pay attention to the details. Measuring everything works quite well, but here, eyeballing it and trusting your instincts might be more important. Hopefully, these photo framing tips have given you enough to start and explore DIY framing.