Creative Ideas For Displaying Your Paintings and Prints
If you love art and love art collecting, this lens will help you get started on some creative and fun ways to show off your collection. Collecting art and displaying your collection are creative processes and fun ways to express your unique perspective on the world. There are about as many ways to hang artwork as there are different kinds of art! The approach you ultimately choose will depend on your own personal style.
While there are no "hard and fast" rules on hanging artwork, creative, well-designed displays will enhance your surroundings and let your art collection shine at its best. This lens also contains some additional tips for caring for original paintings and prints, to ensure that your collection will be enjoyed for many years to come.
Symmetry Unifies and Formalizes
As you consider displaying your artwork, you will want to decide what kind of a statement you'd like to make. Symmetrical displays provide balance and unity to rooms that may have a lot of unique and varied furnishings. They also create more of a sense of formality and structure.In a formal dining room or foyer, many people often hang a mirror flanked by two sconces over their hutch or sideboard. Try flanking two small paintings or prints on either side of the mirror, either just beneath the sconces or in place of them. The paintings still add balance but also provide some visual variety to your dining experience.
Alternately, use a single large painting over your sofa or fireplace, or along a large wall to make a bold statement with simplicity.
Paintings of Tuscany and Provence from JenniferYoung.com
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jenniferyoung_italy4
jenniferyoung_italy2
A Cabin in the Field...
Colors of Spring oil...
jenniferyoung_proven...
Off the Beaten Path,...
Asymmetry "Funkifies" and Adds Flair
Hanging artwork in asymmetrical groupings is a fun and creative way to imprint your own unique decorating style on your space. Group several same-sized paintings together, or use varying sizes to function as a whole in spaces large and small.Consider using this technique in places that are often visually neglected, such as in a hallway or stairwell. But don't just confine this idea to the back rooms...go bold with groupings over a sofa, a large fireplace mantle, or a console!
The key to success in hanging groupings is in the planning and design stage. One of the easiest ways to do this is to make a life-sized pattern of your design so that you can see what it will look like before the work is hung.
Cut a piece of paper (kraft paper, wrapping paper, or even newspaper) to the size of the focal area on your wall. Lay this paper on the floor, and then try different arrangements with your artwork until you find one that is pleasing to you. Trace around the artwork and then tape your paper pattern on the wall where the work will hang. This will give you a visual idea of what the grouping will look like before you've made the first hole in your wall.
Another similar idea is to trace and cut individual patterns for each work of art and tape them up on the wall until you find something that works. Most importantly, be creative and have fun!
A selection of vignettes and small paintings from JenniferYoung.com
Here are a few examples of small paintings that I have created in both watercolor and in oil. None of these little vignettes are over 10 inches wide, so they are charming either alone or in groupings.
Spring Finery oil pa...
A Cabin in the Field...
Colors of Spring oil...
Simple Brilliance oi...
The Window Above Key...
Lilacs and Forsythia
Daisies in a Blue Ja...
Key West Hideaway
Open For Business wa...
Ocracoke Lighthouse...
Latest posts from my art blog
On my blog I post all kinds of articles relating to art; my latest paintings, upcoming shows, painting demonstrations, information about caring for original art and more.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byMore examples of hanging art in groupings
Here are a few additional images from Flickr to get your creative juices flowing. I like how diverse these pictures are. Some strive for unity by using similar framing for all of the artwork, but I rather like the effect of the unmatching frames.
A gallery style hallway (from swishlist)
A mod/vintage take with a salon style grouping on one wall (from Adorevintage)
A wonderful grouping above the bed (from decor8)
Even more ideas for hanging art
Art and design links
- Landscape paintings in a variety of sizes from JenniferYoung.com
- I create vibrant landscape paintings and prints in a variety of sizes, from quite small (6x6") to very large (36x40" and larger). You can see my complete range of offerings at this link, grouped into galleries by subject matter.
- A picture gallery of ways to hang your own picture gallery
- Wonderfully creative display ideas from Domino magazine.
- How to hang your artwork and not screw it up
- This is a very useful article from the awesome apartment therapy blog about the tip to always hang your art at 57" on center. "On center" means that the middle of the picture is at 57", supposedly the level that is used by galleries and museums because it is eye-height. Check it out for detailed instructions on how to go about it.
- Caring for your paintings and prints
- This is an article I wrote on my blog about how to care for your artwork so that you can get years of enjoyment from your collection.
- Design ideas for hanging art from JenniferYoung.com
- I've created additional ideas for hanging art at this link on my website.
- Tips on arranging artwork
- Tips from an interior decorating guide on About.com
Art for the bathroom?
Artwork on paper, such as giclee prints which can be framed under glass, are usually better suited for bathrooms. Your best bet is to have the art framed professionally with mat, glass, and backing paper to seal the art in the framing. That will help to prevent moisture from getting in under the glass.
On the other hand, if you are talking about a half bath without tub or shower, I would think you could feel reasonably secure hanging most any type of art. You may also wish to ask the opinions of a professional picture framer or art conservator in your local area.
Giclee print offerings from JenniferYoung.com
Limited edtion prints on canvas and fine art paper
Off the Beaten Path,...
Olivetti Terrazzati,...
As Evening Falls, la...
Late Afternoon in Mo...
Down in the Valley l...
Along the Route to D...
The Chariot Awaits
Gondola Signori?
Venetian Balcony
Tuscan Spring
Quick tips on hanging artwork
- Use hooks not nails! Don't just plop a bare nail in the wall to support your picture wire--use picture hooks. Hooks will evenly distribute the weight of the artwork across the wire, and hold the painting or print closer to the wall.
- Avoid hanging artwork too high. This is an all too common mistake. Artwork should be at eye level in most instances. If you're hanging over a sofa or large piece of furniture, hang the artwork 6 to 10 inches above the furnishing to unify the area.
- Picture wire should be positioned on the upper third portion of the back of the artwork. Positioned too far down, the picture is likely to hang too far away from the wall.
- Don't forget the lighting! Proper lighting of your artwork will greatly enhance your artwork. Consider track lighting or individual picture lights to let your art shine its best.
- Select archival framing materials whenever possible. Unless you are hanging posters, try to use picture framing materials that are acid free, especially with works on paper. Regular glass is highly acidic, so separate the artwork from the glass by placing an acid free mat or an invisible spacer to keep the glass off of the art. Consult your favorite professional picture framer for more information.
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Interior Lighting, Fourth Edition
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Picture Lights House of Troy A14-61
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