Tentative framing

[caterina]

Hello.
As suggested, I got some cheap canvases to try on my paintings, or rather to try my paintings on.
As my works are all very irregular shaped and unusual in size, I am not sure if it would be a sellable solution: I went for canvases bigger than my works, and I stitched the paintings on them, leaving a few cm all around. I reasoned that the costumer can buy any frame they like, if they want, or hang the canvas as is.
I do not mind the white canvas peeping all around, I quite like it, but I am not sure if other people find it ugly. What do you think, based also on your experience? Would it be fine, is it sellable?

Nest 2:
www.dropbox.com/s/46r3i4ejjn0sz7m/img_20220102_121136.jpg?dl=0

Paula:
www.dropbox.com/s/bfk8souq9zre5yn/img_20220102_111903.jpg?dl=0

I also tried one almost exactly the size of the canvas, and I liked it fine, but I am not sure about framing it afterwards, would the costumer lose a couple cm of the painting all around? It seemed so, and I did not like the idea. Also, my husband liked to see the white canvas all around best.

By the way, I really hated stitching my works on the canvases, as I used "invisible" plastic thread: I could not very well throw the canvases against the wall every minute, but I wished I could...and it was only a few stitches on each corner! If this will be how I "frame" my paintings, I will have to take up meditation classes.

[Shepherdess]

The pieces look fine with the white around them. As for stitching them on, I don't. I use velcro. I use a strip of the sticky-backed velcro ( the hook side) attached to the canvas along the top and a couple of dots on the bottom corners. If it's big I add one or 2 more dots along the bottom and maybe the sides. Then stick my felt picture to it. It's easy to remove and reposition if you want to.

[caterina]

Jan 2, 2022 14:01:32 GMT Shepherdess said:

The pieces look fine with the white around them. As for stitching them on, I don't. I use velcro. I use a strip of the sticky-backed velcro ( the hook side) attached to the canvas along the top and a couple of dots on the bottom corners. If it's big I add one or 2 more dots along the bottom and maybe the sides. Then stick my felt picture to it. It's easy to remove and reposition if you want to.

Thank you for the idea, Ann.
Doesn't the stickiness go away after a while, if the sticky part is stuck to the wool of the painting? That is my main concern, I would not want the painting to come off in a few months or years time... Is it safe?

[MTRuth]

I usually use different value 'croppers' to see what looks best for each piece. Then I either paint the canvas the appropriate color or I cover the canvas with fabric. I think I have written several posts about this at some point. Finishing and framing is a pain so I understand your frustrations with stitching the felt down.

For selling, I have found that framed pieces sell better than unframed. But that is just my experience. It's different for each of us.

[Ann @ frabjous fabrica]

Thinking about using Velcro: If you use the hook side on the canvas, either stuck on or sewn or stapled, it is the hooks that will hang on to the back of your felt picture, not the glue. They do too, they really grab the felt if you press the picture on, but it is removable - you can pull it off without damaging the picture (unless it is very fragile). I would not use the sticky back sort if you are in a warm climate - the glue softens - but as you're in London you shouldn't have any problem. I would not normally put one of these canvases inside a normal or box frame with glass on the front, it's not really necessary as the canvasses will hang on the wall quite well.
I used to do the same as Ruth when I was using the canvasses to mount my pictures - either cover them with fabric (you can staple the fabric to the back of the wooden frame) or paint the canvas the appropriate colour.
I think your portrait of Paula looks fine with the white canvas background because you do not have a white felt margin on your picture. If you did make your pictures on a white felt background (which is what I tend to do) then I think a colour on the canvas would be better as you are unlikely to be able to match the whites.

[caterina]

Jan 2, 2022 16:15:41 GMT MTRuth said:

I usually use different value 'croppers' to see what looks best for each piece. Then I either paint the canvas the appropriate color or I cover the canvas with fabric. I think I have written several posts about this at some point. Finishing and framing is a pain so I understand your frustrations with stitching the felt down.

For selling, I have found that framed pieces sell better than unframed. But that is just my experience. It's different for each of us.

Thank you for your experience and suggestion, Ruth.
I feel you have a point there, I may try different colours as background, see if any works better with other works.

[caterina]

Jan 2, 2022 17:14:45 GMT Ann @ frabjous fabrica said:

Thinking about using Velcro: If you use the hook side on the canvas, either stuck on or sewn or stapled, it is the hooks that will hang on to the back of your felt picture, not the glue. They do too, they really grab the felt if you press the picture on, but it is removable - you can pull it off without damaging the picture (unless it is very fragile). I would not use the sticky back sort if you are in a warm climate - the glue softens - but as you're in London you shouldn't have any problem. I would not normally put one of these canvases inside a normal or box frame with glass on the front, it's not really necessary as the canvasses will hang on the wall quite well.
I used to do the same as Ruth when I was using the canvasses to mount my pictures - either cover them with fabric (you can staple the fabric to the back of the wooden frame) or paint the canvas the appropriate colour.
I think your portrait of Paula looks fine with the white canvas background because you do not have a white felt margin on your picture. If you did make your pictures on a white felt background (which is what I tend to do) then I think a colour on the canvas would be better as you are unlikely to be able to match the whites.

Thank you, Ann.
Now I see what you mean with the Velcro. I will definitely give it a try!

Now that I think about it, I have a stash of fabrics that may (or may not) be used as backgrounds: I could try those,see what happens. But definitely I would not want anything clashing with the colours in the paintings, or too overwhelming. I also quite like the white around "Paula", and anyway I stitched the thing with the dreadful invisible thread, so that stays as is forever! Lol

[Shepherdess]

yes sorry if that wasn't clear, stick the hook side to the canvas or whatever your backing is then press the felt picture to the hooks. no glue on the felt. I use the extra strong velcro brand. It is meant to really stick and take weight, not that the picture is heavy.

[Ann @ frabjous fabrica]

You could try picking out a colour from the picture to repeat as the background, though you have to be careful how you do that.

For instance, I made a pair of needle painted heron pictures which are in mainly black white and various greys on a misty taupe/grey background. I had these professionally framed and the framer suggested a double mat with the inner one (of which only a very narrow line is visible) in black and the outer one of a similar misty grey/taupe to the background, within a black frame..

www.dropbox.com/s/90nsv6261k0h2rf/P1030842.JPG?dl=0
www.dropbox.com/s/pnt0bd590a4jvbm/P1030841.JPG?dl=0

Another picture I had professionally framed was of a heron (my favourite bird) taking off from a river in the early evening when the sky was a bit pinky - reflected in the river. The framer suggested a similar pink for the background. I’m not sure if this is visible in this photo though, it looks more blue than pink to me.

www.dropbox.com/s/q89l0inrq015nnv/End%20of%20Shift-e.jpg?dl=0

Anyway, the idea was to pick out possibly the most important colour from the picture as the mat, or the background colour. Obviously the thing to do is to try the picture against the fabric before you take any final steps.

Incidentally, the background fabric for the both the monochrome heron pictures came from a couple of old Marks & Spencer shirts, “donated” by my husband - that might fit the first quarter challenge for this year!

[caterina]

Jan 2, 2022 23:00:15 GMT Ann @ frabjous fabrica said:

You could try picking out a colour from the picture to repeat as the background, though you have to be careful how you do that.

For instance, I made a pair of needle painted heron pictures which are in mainly black white and various greys on a misty taupe/grey background. I had these professionally framed and the framer suggested a double mat with the inner one (of which only a very narrow line is visible) in black and the outer one of a similar misty grey/taupe to the background, within a black frame..

www.dropbox.com/s/90nsv6261k0h2rf/P1030842.JPG?dl=0
www.dropbox.com/s/pnt0bd590a4jvbm/P1030841.JPG?dl=0

Another picture I had professionally framed was of a heron (my favourite bird) taking off from a river in the early evening when the sky was a bit pinky - reflected in the river. The framer suggested a similar pink for the background. I’m not sure if this is visible in this photo though, it looks more blue than pink to me.

www.dropbox.com/s/q89l0inrq015nnv/End%20of%20Shift-e.jpg?dl=0

Anyway, the idea was to pick out possibly the most important colour from the picture as the mat, or the background colour. Obviously the thing to do is to try the picture against the fabric before you take any final steps.

Incidentally, the background fabric for the both the monochrome heron pictures came from a couple of old Marks & Spencer shirts, “donated” by my husband - that might fit the first quarter challenge for this year!

I see what you mean, it seems a good choice. I will see what I can do with my paintings, they are quite dark and often black or dark greys are dominant in the painting own background, maybe I can look at the central character and get a brighter colour from it to use as canvas background, but I am not sure if that would be a bit too much. As you say, I will need to be careful.
Thanks for your advice, Ann.
To me also the last photo seems with a blue background, how strange!

[lindsay]

Lots of good framing ideas. I’ve recently started using Velcro on the back board and like it. For stitching onto a canvas I use beading thread: it’s good and strong and easier to use than ‘invisible’ thread but not very visible either (using small stitches). I sometimes use a canvas that is a bit smaller than my picture so you can hang it and it just floats on the wall.

Another option is to find pre-made frames that you like and make your pictures in the proportions to fit the frames. These tend to be much cheaper than bespoke frames and some are good quality (some are not!). Often I take out the glass and just use the frame & back board. This can be a good compromise if you’re hoping to sell work without adding the cost of a hand made frame.

[lindsay]

Jan 2, 2022 23:00:15 GMT Ann @ frabjous fabrica said:

You could try picking out a colour from the picture to repeat as the background, though you have to be careful how you do that.

For instance, I made a pair of needle painted heron pictures which are in mainly black white and various greys on a misty taupe/grey background. I had these professionally framed and the framer suggested a double mat with the inner one (of which only a very narrow line is visible) in black and the outer one of a similar misty grey/taupe to the background, within a black frame.

gorgeous pictures, Ann 

[Ann @ frabjous fabrica]

Thank you Lindsay

[caterina]

Jan 4, 2022 9:19:44 GMT lindsay said:

Lots of good framing ideas. I’ve recently started using Velcro on the back board and like it. For stitching onto a canvas I use beading thread: it’s good and strong and easier to use than ‘invisible’ thread but not very visible either (using small stitches). I sometimes use a canvas that is a bit smaller than my picture so you can hang it and it just floats on the wall.

Another option is to find pre-made frames that you like and make your pictures in the proportions to fit the frames. These tend to be much cheaper than bespoke frames and some are good quality (some are not!). Often I take out the glass and just use the frame & back board. This can be a good compromise if you’re hoping to sell work without adding the cost of a hand made frame.

Good tips, Lindsay, thanks!

[Ann @ frabjous fabrica]

Jan 4, 2022 9:19:44 GMT lindsay said:

Another option is to find pre-made frames that you like and make your pictures in the proportions to fit the frames. These tend to be much cheaper than bespoke frames and some are good quality (some are not!). 

Try the local charity shops, you can usually get lots of frames for peanuts.  As Lindsay says, some are good quality as they are, those that are not can sometimes be revived with a lick of paint.  Try painting a frame and picking out any surface decoration with another colour - to compliment your picture.