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I often get asked, "Should I frame this painting?" The short answer is yes! Far from being a mere afterthought, a well-chosen frame can enhance your artwork. Framing is an integral part of the artwork's presentation and preservation. By carefully selecting a frame that complements and protects your work, you're not only enhancing its beauty but also adding value and ensuring its longevity. When hanging it in your space, a well-chosen frame is the final touch that transforms your painting from a piece of art into a cherished treasure.
3 BENEFITS OF FRAMING ART
Let’s explore why framing is an essential and how to go about selecting the best frame. These are the three main reasons for framing your loved artwork, whether a painting on canvas or a watercolour on paper.
1. Enhancing the Artwork
The frame serves as the perfect finishing touch, drawing the viewer's eye to your artwork and providing a boundary that enhances the painting's visual impact. The right frame complements the colors, style, and mood of your piece, creating a harmonious relationship between the artwork and its surroundings. Whether it’s a minimalist, modern piece or a classic oil painting, the frame can amplify its beauty and make it stand out.
2. Harmonizing with your Interior Style
Framing also allows your painting or print to seamlessly blend with, or stand out from, its intended environment. When a frame is chosen with consideration for the interior space, it can harmonize the artwork with the room’s décor, making it a cohesive part of the overall design. This attention to detail can enhance the overall look of living or working spaces.
3. Preserving Your Artwork
Frames are not just about looks—they also play a vital role in protecting your art investment, especially if it is a work on paper, like a print or a drawing. A good frame, combined with quality matting and glass, shields the artwork from environmental factors like dust, moisture, and UV light, which can cause fading and deterioration over time. By framing your artwork, you ensure its longevity and preserve it for future generations.
BUYING UNFRAMED WORK
A framed artwork is often more appealing to buyers, as it removes the hassle of finding a suitable frame themselves. It’s a complete package, ready to be hung and enjoyed immediately. This convenience can be a significant selling point, particularly for those who may not have the time or expertise to select a frame that suits the artwork as well as you, the artist, can.
However, despite this many artists sell their artwork unframed. There are numerous reasons for this, which shouldn't dissuade the art collector from adding their own frame after purchase.
Cost: Framing every finished artwork is a big upfront investment for an artist, especially when you consider the time delay between finishing painting and selling a painting. Further to ship an artwork with a heavy frame also adds to the cost of freight.
Storage: It easier to store unframed artworks, especially works on paper that need to be framed in glass. Frames take up more room in the art studio or storage facility.
Personal taste: Some collectors may prefer not to frame a canvas which has a nicely finished edge. Or they may want to choose the frame themselves, to match the interior in which it will be displayed. Usually, an artist will select a simple frame that has broad appeal, which may not appeal to every buyer (like natural timber). Some artists offer the option of framed or unframed, especially when it comes to prints. Even just seeing an example of the print framed in an image can help the collector visualise the print in their own home with their own frame.
TYPES OF FRAMING
Floating frame
The most common frames for paintings on canvas are floating frames, which leave a tiny gap between the canvas and the frame, like a shadow line. When I am framing paintings for clients I usually recommend a natural oak, which is unvarnished and very neutral. However, depending on the colours in the painting and the surrounding wall, you may opt for a painted timber or a tinted varnish.
Behind glass
When framing works on paper, it's important to consider the shape, color, and thickness of the frame, as well as the width and color of the mat surrounding the artwork. The mat serves the important role of separating the glass from the artwork to prevent damage. It also provides breathing space between the frame and the artwork. The mat should complement the artwork rather than compete with it, and it should elevate the overall presentation.
Above: examples of prints in different frames.
GET A GOOD QUALITY FRAME
Not all frames are made equally. So if you're going to spend money on a frame, please make sure that it is a good quality one and not one from Ikea. You don't want it to warp the artwork or fall off the wall!
Framing can be expensive. When getting a frame with glass, try and go for a pre-made standard sized frame where you can and get a custom cut matt. This will save money and time. Frames Now have a wide selection of pre-made frames that are a decent quality.
If you're after a floating frame, I recommend getting a couple of quotes. Often your local framer will be cheaper than a frame from the well-known brands. My local framer is Forman Framing in Burwood and I highly recommend them.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP
An experienced framer will be able to assist you with selecting the best frame. If you have any questions about framing or need help selecting a frame for your new work of art, I am also happy to help and may even be able to get you a small discount from my local framer. You can email me your questions at info@leahmariani.com
Up next on the Artist Blog: Ten things to consider when buying art for your home.
About the artist
Leah is a Melbourne artist who makes figurative work about womanhood. Follow her artist journey on social media @leahmarianiartspace. You can see what other happy collectors have bought here.
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