To Frame or Not To Frame…
Framing is an art in itself. Available today in thousands of styles, there’s no reason not to give your frames the same attention as the artwork and photographs they are framing. It’s important to remember that the artwork and the frame are always viewed together and if executed correctly, can really enhance the colours, textures and shapes within the art.
The world of framing has become more imaginative as it’s increased in popularity, with options from scalloped, to hand-painted, to enameled on offer.
When choosing the colour of the frame, try not to pick a frame too similar to the artwork, as it could overpower the artwork or not give it the definition it deserves. The scheme of the room should also not influence the frame too much, as the focus should be on the artwork. If it’s well framed, the artwork will work in any scheme. Don’t be afraid to mix styles either, as a contemporary artwork can work really well in an antique frame.
When it comes to mounting artwork, ensure you consider the proportions of the artwork when deciding the width of a mount. Avoid coloured window mounts as these can be acidic. Instead use unbleached, pH neutral cotton-rag mount boards or opt for a wooden frame as they can be bleached or stained in different colours. For photographs, the frame needs to be robust and durable, so thin aluminium frames are an excellent choice.
Tray frames have become very popular for framing canvases and they are a great way to display large scale artworks without glazing. With a stretched canvas, it sits in the tray and is held in place by screws from behind allowing you to see the full extent of the artwork. There is a wide range of depths and finishes available to best fit your artwork, you can also choose if your artwork would like to sit flush with the frame directly around it or have a dark shadow gap surrounding it.
Ensure you consider the size of your artwork when choosing the glazing. Perspex can be good for larger pieces because it’s light and is now long-lasting, however it does scratch easily. To eliminate reflections from the artwork, museum glass is the best option as it’s both UV-protective and anti-reflective.
Zulufish’s Trusted Framers
Established in 2016 by Benedict Foley, A.Prin Art offers both a gallery and curation service with a key aim of making any space a pleasure to inhabit through living with art. A.Prin believe that an artwork can be completely overtaken by a bad frame and likewise a good frame can make a work sing.
Bourlet combines exquisite craftsmanship with a restrained, elegant aesthetic, offering traditional original fine art frames from the Golden Age. Their work encompasses the creation of all kinds of fine art frames, including gilded, veneer, carved and hand made as well as fine art and frame restoration.
Darbyshire Framers are a modern framer and pioneer in the world of framing solutions. With a variety of framing options including metal, wood, custom, tray, painted, stained and gilded, as well as more experimental materials such as formica, corian and glass.
For over 30 years Project Framing has offered a range of products direct from the manufacturer, having the quality of interior design at rivaled prices. They have a true passion for picture framing and carry an extensive range of frames, mouldings and mount board from all of the UK leading industry suppliers.
