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How would you frame these pics?

15 years ago

I am not sure how to frame these pictures. In the first picture you can see the whole pic. which is not quite as long as the frame & isn't the best paper quality. So should I a) buy a bigger matting than I have here, or b) cut them down & center them (the picture is the same width as the frame)?

{{!gwi}}

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Comments (5)

les917
15 years ago
I would matte them with a wider opening, and try a very pale blue matting. The second and third pix are squished in the opening of the matting, cutting off the top of the boy's head and the girl's ponytail.

And yes, I would have them pretty much centered in the openings of the matting.
dekr8
Original Author
15 years ago
thanks les. I knew they didn't look right as they are framed I guess I should have explained that better. Was just wondering matting to do. I like the light blue idea just saw that on marcia's post.
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I'm so glad you bought it! I have a similar water color (original) with the same colors. It's an outdoor snow scene. It has a white mat & the white really makes the colors stand out. So my vote is white for a mat. As far as the frame, it depends on where you're going to hang it & what the other picture frames in your room look like and of course how your room is decorated. I can definitely see a fun, dark red frame! You can buy an inexpensive frame and spray paint it any color you want.
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Ann, thank you! Artillery, that's an excellent idea! Something I wouldn't have thought of. Thank you! Linelle, i don't think I care for the mat with the print either, it's too weighty for the subject matter. It's kind of a light hearted piece in a way.
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Valerie Noronha
15 years ago
I just went through something similar--except I was framing botanical prints. If you have the time, you can get the best prices through pictureframes.com. You can order a free sample matting and they send you little samples of all the different types of matting they sell. Then what you do to determine the matting is to use the outer measurements of the largest of the three prints (assuming you wish the matting to look the same with all three prints which I would recommend if you are grouping them together). The measurement you use for your opening. Then if you wish to double matte (which looks nice), you choose an offset (I used 1/4"). For a nice classic look, I would suggest using black (which matches your frames) for the inner matte and the white for the outer matte. That will draw the eye to the artwork and not the matte.

Here is a link that might be useful: pictureframes.com
Valerie Noronha
15 years ago
For the measurement, I should clarify that to add 1/4" per side so that there is a bit of background space all around. You basically measure the length and the width of the painted part (not the paper). Does that make sense? If you take the time to read their website it is quite educational, even as far as determining the ideal frame size and matting width. It takes some time, but it is well worth the effort.
dekr8
Original Author
15 years ago
valinsv,

thanks for the great link & matting information. It is very helpful. I didn't realize there was so much to consider when framing a picture, but I am glad to know so that I can do it right. Thanks so much!

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