Exhibition organization. Part one. Framing your art.

Any frame I choose should complement the art it framing.

There are literally hundreds of thousands of choices.

There are some rules we should count:

1. Blending with the environment.
Frames should blend successfully with the interior/exterior environment.

2. Learn frames types and make the best choice for your art work.
Frames are classified according to the following types:

• Contemporary -- have clean lines and very little crafted decorative
details and are usually made from wood,
synthetic wood and metal; usually silver.

• Traditional — also referred to as “Classic,” are wood and metal frames
with gentle curves.

• Italian — features elaborate textures and blended colours.

• Rustic — or “Cottage” frames take on distressed and/or washed out looks.

• Tropical — typically uses bamboo as the main material.

Within each one of these categories are a variety of styles, materials, finishes, colours and sizes (widths). (By Leslie Rubin, http://www.tonyscustomframing.com)


3. Find your Art work size:

the measured size of the actual image, not including borders or paper size.
It is easier when we have canvas painted fully – just measure the size of canvas.




4. Decide: should you show your art work completely or use a classic frame overlapping the picture. Here types of framing we can use:

• Classic frame:
 Without glass
 With glass
 With mount (or many mounts)
 Without mount

• Float framing:
 Without glass
 With glass
 With mount (or many mounts)
 Without mount
 Box type (glass box, wooden box,etc)

Here some samples of framing my art:

Adobe Photoshopprograme will help you to choose the best frame for your art!

My acrylic painting “Fall” 60x80cm



Floating frames:



Float frame could be multi-framed or single framed:



The canvas is gallery wrapped and mounted to the frame from behind causing the canvas to appear to float inside the frame. This is the best form of framing for a painting that continues around the edge of the canvas because it doesn't obstruct any of the painting. It does, however, set the painting off from the wall, framing the outline as a professional (finished) piece, and gives it visual interest.

There is very nice type of floating frames: glass float frame where the artwork is mounted between two sheets of glass. But careful attention must be paid to the wall colour your artwork is to be displayed on, or your artwork can disappear.



Multi-frames is a great idea for displaying a set of art works:



5. Rabbet is the inner lip or groove of the picture frame, which holds the frame’s components, including the glazing, mat(s), artwork and backing.



6. Using mount.
Mount Board – is the board on which artwork is mounted upon inside of a picture frame.
Mounting is the act of attaching artwork to the mat board, mount board, backer or display board.
Mat Board is a material that covers and protects the image. Mat boards have a window (also known as the exact mat opening) cut in the centre through which the image can be viewed. In addition to protecting the image, mat boards are available in many different styles and colours for the purpose of enhancing artwork.

(from http://www.framedestination.com/Picture_Framing_Glossary.html)

There are some styles of picture framing with mount:
• Single mat with one window.
• Single mat with floating picture:

My watercolour painting sample with floating picture:



And overlapping mount board:



• Multi-Opening Mat Board is a mat board with more than one window opening.
Multi-opening mat boards are often used for photo collage projects.

My pastel seascape paintings:



• Single with overlapping picture
• Multi-mat.
Double Mat consists of two mat boards (top and bottom). The window (opening) of the bottom mat surrounds the image. The top mat covers the bottom mat. It has a larger window, which allows a small border of the bottom mat, called the reveal to be shown.



Reveal is a term used to describe the small bottom or middle mat border left visible in a double
or triple mat application.

• Bevelled Edge when the inside edge of the mat board window is cut to a 45 degree angle. All of Frame Destination's mat board windows are have a bevelled edge.

My persian miniature shows double mat + bevelled mount edge:



• Weighting.
Bottom-Weighting - when the bottom border of the mat board is wider than the other borders. The concept of bottom-weighting is based on the fact that the optical centre (the place where a viewer's eye spends most of its time) is slightly above the true geometric centre in a rectangular region.



7. DIY. How to calculate the size of the mount board mat.
• Choose the Right Standard Frame Size.
The actual dimensions are a bit larger than the quoted dimensions as they include the frame border inside.
In the quoted standard frame sizes, are always given in 'Width x Height' format. That is, the first value is always the width and the second value is the height in inches.
While choosing a frame, another factor to be taken into consideration is what size will suit the picture. Landscapes tend to look better in large frames. Personal photograph frames tend to look better in smaller sizes. Of course, in case of paintings what matters is that you get a frame that fits their size. Many times, we frame prints of original painting which can have varying sizes. So one thing that needs to be taken into consideration is the size of the picture or painting that you plan to frame while choosing frame sizes. It is a good idea to even carry a paper or card paper cutout of the actual painting that is going to be framed. That way, you can actually test if the picture fits the frame.

List of Standard Frame Sizes
Finally here is a list of standard frame sizes available in United States of America. This list also includes standard photo frame sizes as well as art frame sizes of the ready made kind. You can find contacts online of companies that can create customized frames according to your requirement. Here are the standard frame sizes in inches that are available in ready- made form:
24" x 30" 14" x 18" 12" x 16" 8" x 10"
24" x 36" 16" x 20" 11" x 14" 6" x 8"
20" x 30" 18" x 24" 10" x 13" 5" x 7"
22" x 28" 20" x 24" 9" x 12" 4" x 6"
22" x 28" 20" x 30" 8.5" x 11" 4" x 5"

• Measure the actual size of the picture: the measured size of the actual image,not including borders or paper size.





To find the outer size of the board mat – measure the dimension in inner groove (rabbet) of the frame. The window size (inner dimension) of board mat equals picture size. It is easy if we have glass in the frame – we give the outer size of mount board.

8. Calculate a Picture frame size: when the frame will be created after picture.
Look No5. The outer canvas or picture dimension will give the measurement between opposite grooves (rabbet) of the frame = inner window size of the frame from the back!!! Measured between grooves:



The outer dimensions of the frame = picture size + double width of the moulding measured from the back

9. Multi-pictures frames ideas:



10. Hang It Up!!
Your art is matted and framed, now you want to display it. What are your options? There are four basic methods of hanging framed art: Wire, D-Rings, Security Hardware and Z-Bars.
Wire. The most common method is wire. Wire is generally used on most framed art and is the easiest to hang. However, it is also the most fragile, every little bump and nudge dislodges it from centre. You’ll be constantly straightening the art.
D-Rings. D-Rings are another method of hanging your artwork. D-Rings, however, require a little more patience and care to hang since the slightest miscalculation will result in a crooked picture. But, the end resort is well worth the extra time and effort since the art will remain steady against the wall.
Security Hardware
Security Hardware is only used when specifically requested since it locks a picture to the wall (largely to prevent theft). Hospitals, public areas, hotels and commercial offices displaying art are all examples of where we might recommend security hardware.
Z-Bars. Z-Bars are generally used in hanging large mirrors and other large art. The Z-Bar consists of two metal brackets that lock together on the wall. One bracket is secured to the wall and the second to the mirror or art. The Z-Bar is the best option where extra support is needed.
Material used from: http://www.framedestination.com/Picture_Framing_Glossary.html


12. Framing a sculpture:
Sculpture in custom white float frame:



Idea from http://www.laureltraceygallery.com/framing.php


13. Wall pedestals provide a great solution when showing sculpture.


sculpture of Donald Judd.

14. Plinth.
Plinths allow sculpture to be at the optimum height for viewing and may be designed to separate or link the piece from its surroundings. Dimensions, colour, reflectivity and texture of the plinth can make a huge difference to how each sculpture is viewed. A bespoke plinth in wood, steel or stone can accompany your choice of sculpture.