Framing a portrait seems like a daunting task to most of my clients. It is not something which comes up routinely in their lives and of course they wish to get it right.
Firstly, get quotes from several framers with excellent reputations in your area. They will be able to guide you through the process and give you their eye. You may find on your first visit that you are comfortable and set to leave the painting to be framed.
Considerations:
1. Width of frame: The larger the painting, usually the wider the frame.
2. Style of frame: Sometimes one wants the frame to speak and add to the statement. Other times one wishes for it to sit back more. [This is where artistry continues to be involved in the decision-making and understandably, the non-artist can become confused. A good framer can help you.}
2. Color of the frame: Extremely important: the color and tone must compliment the painting, whether it's more gold or more brown. One ideally should see the frame right up to the painting and you can cup your hands around the edge of the painting/frame and squint to get a feel for how the entire piece will look framed.
3. Shine in frame: Do you want it to sit back—— and be more matt——or sparkle a bit.
4. Formality of the room where the painting will hang and the level of formality in the painting: Match the frame style accordingly.
In the end it's taste and preference. With a few frames held up to your piece you will soon be on you way to getting your painting hung!
To see some of my portrait and landscape paintings click here
Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.
