Is there a ‘right’ frame for your artwork? Do you choose the frame and materials to suit the artwork or to match the surrounding décor? Hmm…. And with all these different types of frames: custom molding, ready made frames, slip frames – where do you even start?

The choice is left entirely to the artist or your personal taste and perspective. A good starting point is to make sure that different framing materials complement the type of artwork you’re hanging and that the frame, overall, does not compete with the artwork for attention. Andy Parks, the author of The Picture Framing Handbook, discusses all the important points of choosing a frame that is a right fit and that complements the type of artwork that you are framing.

Oils & Acrylics

These types of paintings give you the most freedom when choosing a frame. Because oil and acrylic paintings have a texture, and are usually painted with big brush strokes with lots of paint, you are almost dealing with something that is in relief – so you don’t want to cover them up completely or hide anything. You can frame them in narrow frames, like wood or metal. These thin frames are also suitable for paintings that are ‘strong’ to stand on their own. On the other hand, a strong painting can also pull-off a strong frame. So go with a big frame, especially if the painting is small, then the size of the frame can focus the eye on the painting itself.

Few good examples of frames that might work:

Watercolors

Since watercolors are less durable than oils and acrylics, it is recommended that glass should be used to cover these paintings. If the artwork has muted, subdued tones, then frame should also be light and muted. However, if your watercolor artwork is bright and vibrant – a brighter frame may suit it better. And lastly, since watercolors have a fragile appearance, it is generally not a good idea to pair them with a densely colored mat but it’s better to stick with neutral mat colors.

Photographs

Frame treatment for modern photographs is similar to framing of watercolors but there are much more framing options for this type of artwork. If you have old, sepia photos – perhaps a traditional style frame can be used if you’re going for a nostalgic look. If the photos are black and white, maybe a bright colored frame may work nicely. Color photos then, in contrast, can be placed in black and white frames. Or if you really want to go bright – pair it with the frame in a same color that is present in the photograph to keep the theme going. Lastly, modern photos tend to look their best in a simple setting with a narrow metallic band or a plain black frame and a natural colored mat.

We found few great options:

Prints

This type of artwork definitely has limitless options to suit your individual style. You can stick to simple frames, colored wood frames, or metal ones. The only rule you must follow for prints is to leave the edge of the print showing. They say that ‘in a good print this edge should be a crisp line but all edges are interesting because they show how the colors of the print are laid on top of each other so that they meet in their exact positions in the compositions.”

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3D Artworks

Have a favorite quilt, old t-shirt, collage, collection of medals, or a big mix-media artwork that you want to display and keep safe? Then the best framing option for you is a box frame. Usually deep inset and definitely placed under glass.

Here are few shadowbox options we found:

And before we part, , here are few more nuggets of advice on choosing picture framing glass and a mat.

Framing glass & framing mat

Most common variety of a framing glass is the plain glass and they usually come at about 2 mm thick. Also available is diffused or non-reflecting glass but this type of glass should only be used when one mat is used because if you have more than one mat – then you will not be able to see your artwork clearly. There is also specialized, museum glass, available with specialty framers. This type of glass protects artwork from more harmful UV light but these are very expensive and recommended if you are framing an extremely valuable artwork.

Lastly, when choosing picture framing mats, keep in mind the color options that we discussed above. Second point of consideration is the border width. According to the rules: the mat should be wide enough to help viewer into the picture but if it’s too narrow, then the picture may appear squished. As an example, 10 x 8 photograph with a mat border of 2 ½ inches on each side will be balanced and look its best.

Few mat options below:

There you have it! Lots of good information to take with you when choosing that perfect frame for your artwork. And if you are unsure which frame will go best with your artwork, stop by your local framing place and ask for assistance. These shops are usually staffed with knowledgeable people who can help you make the best choice to suit your style, your budget, and your artwork.

The Art of Framing Your Artwork