Framing a watercolour: French Bevel with a ready-made framework

Right bevel is a “additional mat” in the picture framing. It is made out of thick paperboard (2 with 3mm) and comes to be placed between the painting and the upper mat.

It gives much of depth and elegance to the framings of photographs or paintings and emphasize them particularly.

It is very easy to implement this right bevel also called "French Bevel", his cutting not present any difficulty. Launch you in this realization, you will not regret it!

Custom-made or Standard ready-made?

According to the result that you wish to obtain, you will build initially the “package” (backing paperboard, art-work, bevel, mat…) and you will then make your frame and your pane with your measurements. It is what it is advisable to do usually.

But you can also work with a ready made frame bought for somme bucks in a department store at a very moderate price : the measurements of this framework then constituting a constraint of which you will have to adapt your work at the time of the realization. It is the solution which I chose for this example.

The example.

I bought a ready-made framework of dimensions 5.2"x7.2", blue and gold, to frame a mini-portrait of “woman with amethysts” recovered on the advertisement of exposure of a friendly painter.

The image itself measures 2.2"x3.6" and is surrounded by a white edging. I preserve 0.2" in all directions of this edging.

I thus envisage, for bevel, an opening of 2.6" x4". It is what i call the image-window.

On the bevel, in “last layer” the mat will come which will leave discovered 0.1" bevel in all directions. The opening of the mat thus measures: 2.8" over 4.2".

Thus, bevel will overflow very slightly under the mat and will accentuate the effect of depth.

making the French Bevel.

All pieces, backing, bevel, mat and glass must have the same external measurements : 5.2"x7.2".

First cut out the mat in a light paperboard to dimensions 5.2"x7.2". Then open with the cutter the "image window" 2.8"x4.2"… what will leave side margins of 1.2".

For the bottom and top margins, it is necessary to adapt… I chose 1.4" in top and 1.6" below. A margin a little larger in bottom is not awkward : it is even required when you want to suggest an impression of depth and enhance the artwork.

Now cut out the "right bevel" in a thick paperboard or foambord (0.08" to 0.12") to dimensions 5.2"x7.2". Pose the mat on this paperboard and, with a fine pencil, use it as a gauge to draw.

Recall then by decreasing the margins of 0.25" everywhere, thus when the mat is placed on bevel, this one will exceed slightly.

With the cutter, open right bevel by cutting out the opening. Don't worry if you exceed the angles because they will be then covered later with a printed paper. If your cuts miss clearness, you will slightly sand them with a fine sandpaper (as they will be then covered with paper, your sanding will not be visible!).

Cover the mat with selected paper (for me, I remain faithful to the cream-coloured paper, color who agree in the majority of the cases). The photograph above shows the lower part of the covered mat.

Cut out then bands of contrasted paper to equip the interior edges of the bevel. Choose a color which agrees with the artwork you frame… Here, I did not have the choice, the frame is blue, I can find this blue in the picture… I thus chose "night" blue . (see tricks and easy ways to cover the right bevel)

 The angles of the french bevel will be visible under the mat... so be careful to cut the paper bands with 45° angle for a good and aesthetic fitting. The photo shows the dark blue covered bevel and the cream coloured mat.

Fitting.

Stick the art-work behind on the backing using small pieces of adhesive acid-free tape . Be careful with it centering.

Clean the glass-pane of the framework, position it back then lay out mat, bevel and drawing on the backing.

Finish by the frame backing (generally made of paperboard) the small grips stainless of the framework tighten the unit well. No risk of shift.

Hang your frame : you've did it!

To learn framing techniques

Home Book of Picture Framing
Ken Oberrecht

A new and updated edition of the highly popular first edition New sections on using power tools and framing fabric art Complete directory of suppliers

Home Book of Picture Framing is the most comprehensive guide to mounting, matting, and framing oil paintings, watercolors, posters, photographs, calendar pages, and greeting cards without spending a fortune. Complete with sections on safety, tools, materials, and techniques, the book contains all the information needed to prepare homeowners for their first project.

Basic picture framing
Amy Cooper

This detailed guide covers the essentials the beginner needs to get started with matting, mounting, and framing everything from works of art to personal mementoes.

It contains practical techniques and expert tips on choosing the proper matboard and frame; measuring and cutting single, double, or triple mats; safely mounting your materials; building frames; attaching hanging hardware; and placing the frame for display.

Mat, mount and frame it yourself
David Logan

An attractive, well-designed frame not only enhances a picture but preserves and protects it. Logan, a contributing editor at Artists' Magazine who has taught framing and matting across the United States, shows readers how to present their artwork skillfully and economically.

Logan does a great job of explaining everything and supplements the text with attractive photos, which will be a helpful resource for beginners to copy. There is something here for framers of all skill levels. Recommended for most public library collections.