Method of framing

[Anne H. Ward]

can't believe in this HUGE community of plein air painters, no one has any information, suggestions, help on way they frame their paintings. if you change your mind...I am still interested.

[lucy schwartz lucyschwartzartist]

Anne, I am a water media painter and have done outside shows for 20 years. I watch the folks that come into my booth. I learned that if you use consistant framing , all the same profile that they tend to stay and look longer.The psychology of that is. No confusion, seeing all the different moldings tends to send them out. I did garage sale frames until one day a really professional artist friend of mine, who was selling right-and-left, showed me what I am telling you. We watched the people. Damm if he wasn't right. Now I do all metals, usually black , for the watercolors and 4in. sides in greys and creams for the oils. Usually a liner. These canvases with the wrap around system do great for the smalls and the squares. Another tip is to frame your grouping in a frame. each side of the hung pieces need to be in a line and the spaces between each piece need to be the same width. Ex. 2 to 3 inches on all sides from the other piece. That is called a containment. This also helps patrons to view orderly. Anything odd is disrupting.   Well I hope everyone is getting out  and enjoying the sun. We are still cool and windy here. I try to paint in my car with the heater on. hehehe Happy painting, Lucy schwartz Wa. state

[Luz Maria Perez]

Hi Anne,

I've tried finding good frames at many well known  places (they shall remain nameless), but they do not specialize in plein air frames.  The best service and the best frames for plein air are at kingofframe.com - Randy Higbee, owner, and Terry are the best.  Call them at 800-506-7624 or just look up their website. They are in Costa Mesa.  As to the process, I use the S shaped brads to hold the painting in until I decide that this is the permanent frame for the painting and I will not be using the frame for other exhibits.  Once I decide this is the permanent frame, I then put the protective paper backing, add a large label with all my info and perhaps a little story about the painting and my inspiration to paint it. 

[Cecile Hines]

Hank Buffington said:

I haven't done a plein air worth framing yet. My other paintings are framed mostly with off-the-shelf frames from the craft store. A few are custom framed.

[Cecile Hines]

Hey, took another look at your postings.....if those aren't worth framing i'm going to fall on my paintbrush

[Bruce Bundock]

Anne,

   I have a lot of experience framing art. I started in 1975. My creative life extends to working as a museum preparator on valuable collections. I don't usually dispense advice on framing because it can be highly subjective and personal but one of my former teachers, Robert Kulicke, used to say, " a work of art must be presented in the most sympathetic manner possible:

a frame should never dominate the work, but play best supporting role."  Another highly experienced man in the framing business used to say :" what is the basis for good design?"  It can be answered in 3 words: " It shouldn't hurt."  I would say even now this continues to be sage advice. 

  best, Bruce Bundock

[Bill Bonham]

Great Points Bruce. I use the PCC approach.The purpose of a frame (should one be needed) is to Protect, Present & Compliment the work. Deciding on the presentation of the work should be part of creation process. I do agree that the process is somewhat subjective but there are principles that should be employed.