Qualities Of Good Picture Framing

Three qualities are essential for good picture framing; taste, proportion and craftsmanship in that order. In framing, it is difficult to err on the side of simplicity.

Advantage should be taken of good tradition, but the needs of modern living must be kept in mind. The artist and craftsman should not be swayed by "fads" in framing such as covering a Victorian atrocity with whitewash and calling it "smart".

The three requisites mentioned above can only be developed with time and through experience. However, if sufficient study is given to the picture before it is framed, errors will be reduced and better frames will result. Before either making or finishing the frame it should be remembered that the proportions, that is, the width and depth or "profile" of the molding is of more importance than the finish.

It is much easier to commit the fault of "over-framing" a picture than it is to make the frame too plain or narrow.

The following general rule should always be borne in mind: The more elaborate, colorful or detailed the picture, the simpler should be the frame and vice versa. A monotonous effect can be avoided easily by giving the frame an interesting textural finish or by decorating it with a continuous line of geometrical shapes. These should be based on the seven primary forms so well outlined in the book 'A Method for Creative Design' by Adolfo Best-Maugard.

Applied singly or in combination, along the outside, the inside, on the face or a raised portion of the molding, the decoration will be unobtrusive and yet provide interest. The combinations of carving, texture and color are almost endless, therefore no picture need be without its individual, perfect finish.

Ideas On framing Different Types Of Art

A few words on present day, conventional picture framing might be in order, but just a few. Extended discussion of contemporary methods of framing would be wasted; styles and fashions in frames will undoubtedly change in a relatively short time.

Therefore, the following are only general indications of how pictures in various mediums are ordinarily framed at the present time.

Original prints in black and white such as etchings, lithographs, etc., are usually matted in white, off-white or cream mats and framed with glass in very narrow Moldings of natural wood or black. A narrow gold line is sometimes added to relieve the severity of the black frame.

Original color prints, as distinguished from reproductions, such as color wood blocks, colored etchings or lithographs and serigraphs are also matted and then framed in narrow Moldings with glass. More latitude in the use of color in both mats and frames for this type of picture is becoming increasingly popular.

Watercolors are usually put in proportionately larger mats and the frames are somewhat wider. Glass is always used with watercolors. Frames for them are still being made in simple, natural wood or painted finishes, but with the tendency to give the medium the importance it deserves, they are often as heavy, decorated and textured as are those for oil paintings.

The frames for pastels are similar to the ones used for water-colors, except that they are matted only when necessary. Glass is always used, as is a concealed insert to separate the picture from contact with the glass surface.

Oil paintings are framed closely except for the occasional use of extra wide inserts, which give the appearance of mats. It has been popular lately to employ less ornamentation and gilding and to bring the finish into closer relationship with the picture.

Photographs may be given more importance on a wall by matting them. They are ordinarily framed close with glass in natural or stained wood, silver or gold.

Fine reproductions of oil paintings, watercolors and prints are framed to resemble their originals.

Minimal Is Often Better

There is a good tendency today towards minimizing the heavy ornamentation of so-called antique or Barbizon-type frames by giving them an all-over neutral effect with only touches of color or gilt as accents.

The beginner in frame-making is often confused as to the choice of molding or finish for a particular picture and therefore falls back on the practice of copying a frame or finish he has seen elsewhere. Every-one learns by imitation, but it is certainly better to develop one's own critical faculties by trying to work out each problem individually.

Since framing is a skill that requires experience to develop to the point of real facility, analysis of each framing problem by oneself will add to confidence and the next job will be that much easier to do.

Picture framing follows all general changes in sound decorative style, so no one can expect to produce a frame which need never be changed. By keeping the principles of good taste always in mind, we will not turn out something faddish or freakish.

There will be times when a small or even tiny picture gains in importance and is not necessarily over-powered by a very wide molding if used judiciously.

Again, a very large picture may only require the simplest of narrow Moldings to set it off properly. There is no call to be precious, but care employed when choosing the exact value of color for the frame or mat may make a tremendous difference in the final effect.

Craft Needs