Displaying and Caring for Artworks on Paper

PAINTINGS RECEIVED BY MAIL


'Beach Huts, Southwold' fine art print by michelewebber
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Your painting or print will arrive in one of two ways: Either flat and possibly mounted (a mount is the card frame surrounding your painting) or rolled in a tube, it may also be wrapped in cellophane. If your painting is still a little curled from transit just leave it for a day or two on a flat dry surface with a light weight on top of it. Some magazines would be ideal. Do not worry if you do not like the mount colour, this can easily be changed by your framer. Because of the natural oil in your skin only handle your picture by its edges. If you must store it temporarily, keep it flat in a drawer, out of the damp and between acid free tissue paper.

ABOUT MOUNTS (also called Mats)


'Tulips' fine art print by michelewebber
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The mount is the cardboard inner frame that sits under the glass. Contrary to popular belief this is not there for decorative purposes, it has a very important and necessary job to do. A mount keeps a space between your painting and the glass. Without air circulating mould would form. So called 'clip' or 'frameless' frames must absolutely never be used. The artwork must not be allowed to touch the glass, or condensation will build up, mould spots will appear and your picture will be ruined. If you do not want a visible mount your framer can hide a narrow strip or spacers under the edge of the frame to ensure air circulation. Another option is to have the artwork attached to a backboard via a raised hidden mount, so it appears to float and you can see all the raw edges. Ask your framer for options, they do this all day long, they are the best people to advise you. A wide range of mount colours and styles are available. 'Conservation' grade is acid free and protects your picture for very little extra cost. Never attach a mount yourself if you do not know what you are doing, the mount is never taped down all the way round, the picture must be free to contract and expand with the changing temperature and humidity of the room. This type of mount is called a 'hanging' mount or hinged mount.

MORE TIPS FOR MOUNTS (MATS)

In order to make the painting look more attractive, most professionals add a few extra mm to the lower edge of the mount. For pastels or charcoal that may shed particles over time, ask your framer to cut a slightly smaller mount and hide it behind the front one. This leaves a small gap or reservoir for particles and dust to fall into, without leaving unsightly marks on your mount. To give a small painting a modern edge, consider an extra large mount. For a classy, 3 dimensional look, try a double mount in white. Check the corners of your mount, if cut correctly they should be perfect. If you see little cross cuts this means your framer has not been as precise as he should be. Don't be afraid to refuse to pay for a badly cut mount.

FINDING A GOOD FRAMER

There is probably a picture framer in your local high street, often in an art materials shop or gallery. But many good framers work privately from workshops and homes. To find the best quality and cheapest local framer try asking an artist! Artists always know the best places to get framing done. It's their livelihood so they will go for maximum quality at a competitive price.

CHOOSING MOUNTS (MATS) AND FRAMES

It is easy to get carried away and choose double mounts in different colours and an ornate frame, but often simple is best. After all the painting should be the main event, not the frame! Dark wood and gold carved frames are best kept for traditional oil paintings. For your watercolour try a soft beech or honey coloured wood, or perhaps one with a pale 'lime' stain. When choosing a mount colour consider your home, personal style, and if you are likely to move the picture about. If so then a soft white or neutral mount may be best. Dark mounts can look effective, particularly for dramatic paintings, but avoid bright colours. If you match the mount to your sofa and wall paper, what happens when you re-decorate? You can of course get the painting re-framed in the future, but it may be costly. At the end of the day however it is your choice and your style so don't let the framer talk you out of what you want.

HANGING THE PICTURE

There are several ways of putting your painting up. Mirror clips show each side of the painting and ensure it never moves. They are not the most attractive way of hanging but good for places where the work may get knocked all the time, or where there is a risk of theft. A picture hook is knocked straight into the wall with the nail it comes with. These are only suitable for light work, and decent walls. Personally I find them a nuisance and can guarantee I will bend the nail and half the plaster will immediately detach from the wall. I prefer a rawl plug and screw every time. For very large paintings use two at the same level a few inches apart. This will enable you to straighten the picture much more easily and spread the weight. Another way to hang is to put up a permanent hanging rail, this looks attractive and you can move work about, just by changing the paintings and sliding the hooks around. For a professional display covering a whole wall you will need the type of hanging system used by galleries: A thin rail fits along the top and base of the wall, and a series of thin metal or clear plastic wires slide along it. Clips are attached wherever you like by a turn screw arrangement allowing total control over positioning of paintings.

TOP TIPS
Many people make the mistake of hanging work too high. It should be roughly at eye level.
Don't hang paintings in areas of high humidity (bathroom etc) or where there is a big fluctuation in temperature (near a heater etc)
Artworks on paper may be prone to fading so keep them out of strong direct sunlight. A professional artist will use pigments known to be safe for hundreds of years. Amateurs may use fugitive (means they fade and degrade) paints. Collages are especially prone to fading so be aware.

BASIC GUIDELINES


'Proud Cockerel (Rooster)' fine art print/poster by michelewebber
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If you are determined to do it yourself please ensure you know what you are doing and use professional equipment. Mounts and tapes should be acid free. A hanging mount or other proper system should be used. The back should be properly sealed to prevent insect invasion. If you hope to display the painting in a public exhibition then don't use anti reflective glass or any coatings, many organizers ban these. The most popular way of attaching hanging apparatus to the back is to have it 'tight strung', IE a strong double (loop) length of proper hanging string attached via screw eye fittings each side. If the painting is to be displayed in an area open to the public then the alternative method of attaching flat 'mirror plate' fittings to either side will enable you to screw it to the wall. This should prevent all but the most determined theft. Note: if you wish to enter exhibitions then framing must be professional, immaculate and to the exhibitors specifications.

Yes framing it yourself will save money, but bear in mind it is not easy, it is time consuming and finding materials can be tricky. If you are still determined to go ahead then there are several ways to proceed, I will list 3 here.

1. Short framing course. These are pricey and you may have to travel, look on the internet and locally, consider that you may have relatives who would let you stay nearer a larger town if you live in a rural area with no courses. However there is nothing like a short course to give you hands on experience.

2. Buy a book. It is possible to learn most things from books, if you like this method then see the 'further reading' I have selected below. Always read the customer reviews online for books before purchasing (even if you are buying from a 'real' high street book store) it will save you from making costly mistakes. Remember this method of learning doesn't suit everyone. I personally learn lots from books, but some people miss the feedback and hands on experience of being taught.

3. Get a local framer to teach you. A little tricky this one. Don't expect someone to teach you if you plan to set up a framing business in the next street. However, if you only wish to learn for your own work, or intend to frame other peoples work a decent distance away, it is worth asking. You will need to offer money, and agree to work in the frame shop for nothing, but it's a great way to learn. Nor does it always take actual cash, perhaps you have something you could do in return, car maintenance, accounting, anything. Don't offer paintings, the framer will not be interested. You may not find anyone willing to do this, but don't ask, don't get.

COPYRIGHT


'Shells and Pebbles' fine art print by michelewebber
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Although it may seem unrelated to this article it is important to understand how copyright law affects the artwork you have purchased. Unless you specifically purchased the copyright to your piece of art you do not own the rights to use the image. You have purchased the artwork not the copyright. Your painting is yours to keep forever or sell. But copyright is retained by the artist. Basically this means that you cannot use a photo or other copy of your piece of art either commercially or to reproduce in bulk; whereas the artist who made it is within his rights to do so. The only time this may be different is if you commissioned the work. But it is a legal minefield, and I suggest you tread carefully. Unlawful use of images for commercial gain is theft, and fines can run into tens of thousands of pounds/dollars. But really it is about more than that. Many artists have a tough time of it (cue violins), no really! It's a difficult way to earn a living, notoriously low paid and that's without the constant worry that some idiot has stolen your hours/weeks/years of hard work to shove some cheap rip off on ebay/cafepress/wherever. So use common sense. If you want to send a photo of your new purchase to your uncle to say 'look what I bought for my lounge' that's fine. If you want to print and sell postcards of it then you are breaking the law.

WHAT IF YOU MADE IT YOURSELF?

If your work is your own then of course the copyright is yours, but be careful. If you copied a photo and it is recognisable as a copy, even if some elements are changed, then the photographer owns the copyright to that image. Many amateurs do this, and its fine to keep or display your work at home with pride. But put the piece up for sale, and you guessed it: you are breaking the law. Don't think because the photo was in a magazine it's OK. Someone took that photo. Beware too of 'copyright free' images on the web. Anyone can post anything on the web, and frequently they do. The same general rules apply to copies of other peoples artwork.

READ ON TO FIND OUT HOW THE PROFESSIONALS FRAME THEIR WORK


'Wall Flowers' fine art print by michelewebber
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OK so this section is for those of you wishing to display your work in art galleries, at exhibitions, art fairs etc. And it's basically drawn from my making every mistake possible. But you don't have to, you can read this list of do s and don't s instead and save time, money and hassle.

DON'T skimp on framing! Most people who will buy your artwork will be either friends, family or live in the same town as you. It is your responsibility to ensure your work is properly framed. When putting work up for sale it must be presented in a way that is attractive and also ensures that it will remain in good condition and free from insect invasion for many years. People keep paintings for decades if not longer!

DON'T use ready made store bought frames. It is tempting to save the money but cheap frames just make your work look cheap. Your original artwork deserves the best possible frame; just build it into your price. People will pay for quality. Besides, even if you can find a fabulous frame that's a bargain, what happens when the company discontinues the range?

DO consider your paintings as a group, not as individuals. When you frame one painting, you look for the frame and mount (mat) that are perfect for that one picture. When you frame as a group, you need to sacrifice the individual for the group. This leads me onto:

DO use the same frame and mount (mat) for all your work. Versatility is the Achilles heel of talented artists. Maybe you can paint in different styles, mediums etc, but that doesn't change the fact that galleries and buyers like to see a body of work, in similar frames and the same medium. They would prefer you painted the same subject too if they had their way. If you must do different types of work, keep it together in groups and market it separately. Different frames in a group just shout 'amateur.'

DON'T give the frame more importance than the work. The frame should be beautiful, but it shouldn't fight for attention with the artwork. Go for neutral tones every time. For Watercolours/Drawings consider light or mid toned wood frames, or lime washed effects, with soft white mounts (mats). For oils consider dark wood, a little gold leaf or even lime washed if you use a paler palette. More modern work might take a black or charcoal frame. And despite the recent trend for unframed canvases, do frame oils. As a very successful oil painter friend of mine said recently 'if they can't be bothered to frame it, I can't be bothered to buy it.'

DO work to set sizes. Unless you expect (not hope) to sell every piece I strongly suggest you give yourself the opportunity to re-use your frames for other work if the art does not sell. This does not mean you have to stick to one size, have several if you want, and consider using the same size turned around for portrait and landscape. This may involve a little maths in working out the mount (mat) size, but take it from someone who learnt the hard way, paying for expensive custom sized frames that couldn't be re-used.

DO have your work 'tight strung', but be aware some exhibitions will specify 'mirror clips'. These are a nuisance but do allow work to be screwed to the wall, particularly for public venues, which stops anyone walking off with it (and they do.)

DO label the back of your work as soon as it comes back from the framer. Your label should be printed and should contain: Your name, Contact details like phone number and website, Painting medium, Painting title, Price and your reference number. (Of course you do have a reference number - how else do you intend to keep track of sales and where your paintings are?)

DO price your work high enough. If you are new and unknown, you cannot command a premium price, however if you price too low, you will instantly be considered an amateur, and not taken seriously. Pricing is difficult, there is no set formula, but if I see a painting that costs less than I pay just to frame mine, then alarm bells ring...

DON'T upset your framer. He is your biggest asset; he knows a lot of people in the art world. If you are a regular he may give you a trade discount (don't ask, don't get), and will put you ahead of casual trade if you need a 'rush job.' He may even display your work or recommend you to people. That said he is there to work for you, and if his work is substandard or he refuses to frame exactly to your requirements, then be charming, be polite, and find someone else.

DON'T break copyright law, see above. Once you get into selling work professionally you must ensure the image is yours. You cannot copy another artist or photographer unless it is for personal study. Once you put it up for sale you are wandering into the realms of image theft. And lets be honest, if you are a professional you simply won't need to copy others. If you do you are probably not ready to do it for a living.

REMEMBER


'Sunflowers and Bees' fine art print by michelewebber
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With a little thought and care, your artwork should give you and others pleasure for years to come. The artist/photographer that made it put a little of their heart into it. Why not give them some feedback? They will be delighted to hear about how much you like the picture, and where you have displayed it!

Whilst I am happy for you to share the link to this lens, text and images are a different matter, please read on for full clarification.

Feel free to share the link to this lens, to tweet it, post it on your blog, or put it on facebook. I want it to be helpful to as many people as possible, so if you enjoyed it please share.

Text/Images. This lens is for personal study only, and you may print it only for your own use. All text is original, copyright Michele Webber. Products and Images are copyright Michele Webber and other accredited artists. The text and images must not be reproduced, copied or distributed in any form including electronic except by express permission of the author. Use without permission is theft and legal compensation will be sought.

If you wish to reproduce text or images by Michele Webber for non commercial purposes on the internet you will need to 1)Ask permission 2) Include a short accreditation/copyright notice 3) include a link to Michele's website.