1. Not too high! Think in terms of eye level, so that the eye of the average viewer falls aNbout one-third of the way down from the top of the picture. This will be about 55 to 58" from the floor. 2. Be sure to use hangers that are strong enough to hold the weight of the picture. Two hangers are better than onefor large pieces—the weight will be distributed and the picture will be less likely to shift. 3. When hanging a pair or trio of pictures, group them together so they relate to one another instead of appearing to float in a large space on the wall. 4. When hanging a picture wall, create alignments, so the viewer’s eye has lines to follow. These visual lines may be horizontal or vertical. If a picture wall contains many pictures, there may be several of these alignments. Any two frames should have a common line, horizontally or vertically.
From fancy gold leaf to colorful textures, frames are now available in an incredible selection—but how do you choose the right one for your picture?
The style and size of the frame should be coordinated with the artwork and any matting or other decorative elements that will be used. The goal is a balanced design that enhances and provides a good presentation for the art, without overwhelming it.
Conservation Framing (sometimes called Preservation Framing) refers to the materials and techniques used by picture framers to frame valued art and objects to the highest standard. From matboards to glass to the paper cover on the back of the frame, today’s framers can provide a variety of specialized products and methods to display art and objects in the best possible environment.
As in any skilled craft, each professional framer develops an individual style of Conservation Framing, but there are a few principles generally regarded as standard:
A picture wall displays a group of framed items in a coordinated design. The frames may all be the same style or the same color, but most often a picture wall includes a variety of different frames. The artwork may be united by a theme: vacation photos, a collection of sports memorabilia, family portraits. Or they may be connected by subject matter: coastal scenes depicted in photos, watercolor paintings, old engravings, and other media. Color can be the unifying factor, and color-themed picture walls have a lot of impact, bringing the coolness of blue or the vibrancy of red strongly into the room. Collectors of posters, etchings, photographs or watercolors can develop a picture wall to show the variety within their collection. But some of the best picture walls display a very eclectic mix of sizes, colors and styles that reflects a range of personal preferences and experiences. And it doesn't have to be limited to pictures: an arrangement can be enhanced by including mirrors, shelves, or objects in the mix.
Neither material is perfect. Both have advantages and disadvantages for picture framing. When deciding which to use for a framing application you will need to review the following list of pro's and con's and consider the following issues: • Where will the picture frame be displayed • How large will the frame be • How much will it be moved • Who will clean it • Is the artwork replaceable • Will the picture frame be shipped
Picture Frame Mounting Techniques Mounting is the technique used to secure a photograph to a mount or display board. There are several different methods and materials to choose from when mounting a photograph. Selection is based on several factors such as cost, convenience, equipment availability, and conservation.
Conservation True conservation framing dictates that the mounted photo must be cleanly removable from the mount board. Museums must adhere to conservation guidelines, even though all acid free materials are used in these frames. Acids and other pollutants will eventually penetrate the frame from the air and walls and contaminate the frame, at which time the artwork must be removed and reframed with fresh materials.
For most of us, such extreme conservation rules are unnecessary, although care should be taken to ensure general household items such as rubber cement are not used for mounting. These items may contain chemicals that will harm your artwork immediately. There are several inexpensive mounting products available today that are safe for your artwork. Some products such as photo corners, mounting corners, and hinging tapes and tissues are all safe products for mounting your artwork.
Paper or board that has been treated to maintain a neutral pH. Acid and lignin and other harmful factors are removed which could cause staining to artwork over time.
All of there terms are more or less interchangeable. They refer to a method of framing in which all processes are completely reversible and the visible and chemical deterioration of the artwork is minimized. This type of framing may include acid-free materials and UV glazing. Also known as "C/P."
To increase the life and enjoyment of your print or photograph and to save money in the future on conservation treatments, you should invest in appropriate preservation matting and framing. Reviewing the following information and then interviewing the framer regarding the procedures and materials will help you decide.
What is preservation matting and framing? It is the appropriate housing to display the intrinsic beauty and interest of an object, while prolonging its life by securing the object in a mechanically and chemically stable environment. It minimizes the problems caused by deterioration of the components of the object itself and other problems introduced by environmental factors.
Printing on canvas is incredibly versatile and a great way to create a ready-to-hang image or artwork. Every canvas that we print is protected with a UV coated acrylic finish to guard the print from dust, moisture and fading. Do you want your canvas stretched on bars or non-stretched? Framed or unframed? Customize the work to make it truly your own.
Photography is an amazing art form. A photograph album is a catalogue of life's history as seen through the camera. People, animals, nature, holidays, celebrations and even disasters are captured instantly and recorded as part of history. It is through the powerful presentations of photography that we better understand the progression of time and life. Hampton Photo Arts has over twenty years of experience working with photographers as they seek to capture and preserve the history of families and communities.
When families get together, both children and adults love to look through photograph albums. They enjoy seeing the childhood photos of older family members and compare themselves to ancestors who lived a hundred or more years ago. Photos are among the most important treasures of every family. They should not be faded and dull. They contain the smiles, tears and emotions of generations. The staff members at Hampton Photo Arts display excellence in the art of photography reproduction. They work with the highest quality materials. They know how to create family memories that will be just as beautiful one hundred years from now as they are today.
Watercolor is an easy, fun medium for creating art. Color theory, composition and design can be explored freely with watercolor paint, paper, and brushes. Several techniques may be used with watercolors for varying effects including painting wet on wet, wet on dry, layering washes, and more.
Watercolor paper comes in cold press, hot press, and rough. Rough paper has the most texture, and its hills and valleys can result in interesting effects when paint is added. Hot press is the smoothest and has the finest texture. Cold press has a moderate amount of texture and is the paper most commonly chosen by watercolor artists.
Watercolor paper comes in several weights ranging from 90 lb. to 300 lb. based on the pounds per ream of paper. Most artists prefer to use at least 140 lb. paper. Papers vary somewhat between manufacturers, so sampling different papers is advisable. Paper can be purchased in pads, in blocks or in large sheets. The large sheets are usually the most economical and can be torn into whatever size is desired.