Friday, June 25, 2021

How to pick a perfect frame for your painting or photograph?

Art is a discipline that takes time and skill, and nothing should get in the way of your artistic process. From coming up with an idea, to framing a final piece and putting it on the wall. Framing a final product is like decorating a cake with delicious frosting - it is not necessary, yet makes it more desirable and fun!  

 

Do all artworks need to be framed? No. You first need to make sure that framing benefits your work and does not take away its magic. Make sure your work has “room to breathe” and does not hide its full potential behind the frame. It is also important to consider what medium you are working in as some of them, such as prints, do not always need to be framed. 

 

If you decided that framing is for you, here is our take on that. 

 

Why do we think you should frame your piece? The main reasons that make framing valuable are protection and aesthetic. If you chose to create on fragile material, such as paper, a simple frame could save you a lot of trouble as your work will be safe from any potential damage. And of course, framing plays a huge role for the overall tone of the work, as well as makes it look professional. 

 

Now, do not order your frame just yet, as there are a couple of things to consider prior to your acquisition. First of all, the material of the frame is crucial and can drastically change the atmosphere of your work. If you are looking for a classy and old-fashioned framing, we highly recommend wooden frames. Wood texture presents a piece through a more professional and expensive style. It is favoured for oil paintings and photographs, as it creates a warm and cozy ambience that can highlight the brightness of the final product. 

 

Yet, if you want to go for a modern and risky look, metal frames are your perfect match! Many abstract artists use metal frames to add more "pozaz" and edge to their work. It is more unusual to see a metal frame over a wooden one which makes it more unique and innovative. The sharp texture and silver lining of the frame will not take away from the work, but will present it through a more subtle and creative lense.

Another important and tricky step of choosing a frame is the colour. Examine the overall mood of the work and try to find a colour that best “describes” your art piece. The tone of the work is what you need to keep in mind, in order to choose the colour of the frame that will compliment it best. Do not choose a colour of the frame that will camouflage with your work. A safe and easy solution would be to go for classic brown or grey shades so as to not interrupt the overall “feel of the work.” Keep in mind that each shade has its own subtext: light shades are for casual statements whereas dark shades are for bold statements. 

However, do not be afraid to experiment! Art never stops changing and innovating, so sticking to the “good old-fashion way” might not be something you desire to do. Just like choosing between classic wooden and alternative metal frames, you can find a bright and bold colorful frame that will make your work stand out. Nevertheless, it is essential to remember that colours must be following principle rules of design. The best way to know if the colour you are looking for will bring your work to the next level is by referencing the colour wheel. If you are looking for a complimentary colour scheme, you would choose colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel. For example, if your overall painting is red, your best match would be a green frame. Another option is the monochromatic colour scheme, where you choose one colour and its many shades. For example, if your overall painting is dark blue, then your frame could be a much lighter shade of that same blue. 

 

Lastly, the placement of your final product can dictate the kind of frame you should purchase. As a matter of fact, it is more important to examine your work's “future home” (the size of the room, its design, and colour palette.) After all, the main goal of your work is to decorate the environment it is in and make it visually pleasing at the end. 

And now you are ready for your purchase! 

We offer plenty of high quality frames of all kinds that are beloved by many professional artists, amateur photographers, and designers. 

Happy and creative shopping to you! 

For more information check out our website and submit your order today!