Pastel Painting Lessons & Techniques
"Important Tips About Properly Framing Pastel Artwork"
By Emma Ralph
The beauty of paintings is magnified only when framed. Framing pastel artwork completes the masterpiece. Imagine letting a painting hang on the wall with dust falling onto it. Not framing your valuable paintings will ruin the magic of colors, and it will diminish the overall effect of your painting. If you really want to preserve your pastel artwork, then it's important to frame it. Below are three tips to consider when framing pastel artwork:
Tip #1: Plan before you paint.
Planning is the essential. Before you start painting, leave enough space around the boundary edges of your artwork to accommodate a frame. Ensure that the space left on all sides is equal otherwise your painting will not look asymmetrical. Therefore, take the time to set the margin spacing correctly. Don't worry about matting just yet. The choice of whether to include mats or not can be made later. Even if there is excess space, the edges can be cut later on.
Insulating the facade of your painting is critical to prevent the smudging or fading of the pastel's vibrant color. Fingerprints are obvious, especially on oil pastels. Therefore, framing it is important. Many use fixative sprays for the protection of pastels. However, if you are framing it, then fixative sprays are unnecessary. If you already have a frame in mind be cautious when you are planning your painting to ensure that the painting fits well inside the frame.
Tip #2: Choose Your Frames and Mats Wisely.
Mats are extensively used to frame paintings in the same manner as photographs. However, different materials, such as plastic spacers, are also used nowadays to separate the painting from the glass. Mats are heavier, whereas plastic sheets are lighter. Thus, it's better to use the latter.
Mats come in different shapes, sizes, and colors to choose from. The most often used mats are neutral colors, which blend in with almost all paintings. The most common neutral colors are shades of white, cream, gray and beige.
The choice of frames is highly individual. Each is chosen according to the character of the painting. However, modern art paintings usually make use of sleek frames, which are minimalistic in design. Intricate designer frames, with a combination of metal and wood, can be used for paintings that are more old-fashioned themes, such as scenic ones and portraits. The reasoning behind this is: if your painting is a piece of modern art, then the look and feel of the same is brought out best in a simple frame. Additionally, with regards to more elaborate and detailed drawings, intricate designer frames merge well with similar themes.
Tip #3: Have your Artwork Framed Professionally.
Once you have decided on the frame type and the color, get someone who has skills in framing artwork. To transform your paintings into extravagant art pieces to be displayed and protected for years to come, choosing someone who knows what they are doing to frame it for you is of the utmost importance.
Framing pastel artwork doesn't have to be difficult. If you plan ahead of time, pick an appropriate frame, and find a professional to frame it, you will have the masterpiece you've always dreamed of.
Emma Ralph is an experienced pastel artist and author of the book "Pastel Painting Secrets". To learn more about framing pastel artwork visit http://www.paintingwithpastels.com
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