Glossary: Frame

In general oil paintings are close framed without glass,  Watercolours and Prints of all types are framed mounted under glass. You can glaze an oil painting but you can't leave a watercolour unglazed as it will deteriorate.

Oil paintings in general are framed in more substantial moulding than watercolours. This is because the delicate nature of watercolour would be compromised by a large brash frame. Oils have the power and texture to accommodate a large surround without losing effect.

When framing a watercolour, always remember that the mount should be in proportion to the size of the picture and that the bottom edge should be larger than the sides and top. This will stop the picture looking as though it is falling out the bottom of the frame.

When framing an oil, always put a slip (a small frame insert) between the rebate of the frame and the picture (we have a small diagram at our framing page). This gives the painting greater depth and, if painted a lighter colour, protects the picture from any colour clash. Framers always talk of rebates. It's not money back from the tax man but the unseen portion of the frame behind which the painting sits.

When glazing a watercolour with a mount NEVER use non-reflective glass. The action of leaving a gap between picture and glass results in a defused image that seriously affects the viewing of the work. Some people find the reflections from glass annoying. My own view is that you learn to ignore the reflections and ‘see through them’. The alternative is to move the picture to where there is less reflection. A painting directly in front of a large picture window will always suffer more than one in a less well lit area.

Some seemingly strange anomalies
1. Dark paintings always look better in dark frames.
2. Abstract paintings can look wonderful in antique frames. Just think of those magnificent Picasso’s you have seen in Galleries in 18th and 19th C. frames

Here at Room4art.com™ we believe it is important for our clients to understand the process of painting and its techniques, the better to appreciate the quality of our paintings (all quality works by professionally trained artists from the early 20th century to the present day) and our framing. The condition of all our paintings is fully detailed and has been photographed in high resolution, so with the aid of our zoom facility you can examine every work in minute detail and therefore buy with confidence

©21st Century Gallery Ltd