How to FRAME a PAINTING CANVAS... Choosing the molding color?

Indeed, choosing a framework is a matter of r taste and based on colors we found in the art-work, of your interior ...

It is not possible to advise or provide generic picture frames for a tasteful decoration of your home!

General principles ... to be broken!

You have just purchased a picture on canvas painted in oil or acrylic ... The probleme now is how to frame it...

Do not hurry! Take time to think! Until you choose a frame you can perfectly hang up the frame as is on the wall ...

Here are some basic principles that have nothing immutable ... and nobody forces you to follow because the choice of a frame depends on your sensitivity and your personal taste.

Rule 1: Choose a style of molding according to the style of your canvas!

As many an old painting can be highlighted by a gilded and worked mouldings, as a modern canvas can be satisfied with a sober and clean lines ...

But just visit museums to understand that tortured and carved picture frames are now completely obsolete ... modern interiors require greater simplicity and bearness ...

Rule 2: Choose the frame color first to fit with the canvas!

Generally, it is better to choose as the frame color that is not the dominant color of the painting ... If you are unsure of your choice, choose a neutral and simple color .

In the example below, we chose to frame the dominant blue color of the art work... The juxtaposition of all these shades of blue is not very attractive:

it would have been preferable to choose a neutral color, a beige supported (or pink or even an off-white) color reminiscent of some of the houses located in the center of the art :

If, despite everything - the rules are made to be broken! - You decide to stay in the dominant blue color, an inner frame* clear neutral color (white, cream or titanium) which will ensure the transition between the different shades of the dominant color...

Of course, you will also pay attention of the environment in which the framework will be placed: if the frame is appropriate for the painting but do not fit the environment ... is without doubt that the painting itself does not fit this place!

* A inner frame is a small frame fixed inside the main frame and the color clear the transition between the colors of the painting and those of the frame itself.

Rule 3: Choose a size of moulding adapted to the canvas size.

Always remember that the framework is intended to highlight the art-work it contains ... It must attract attention while remaining unobtrusive so as not to distort the work.

Therefore, especially in the case of modern paintings, it should not exaggerate the width of the molding.

Many galleries prefer the "American box" (floater frame) sober and simple: it comes in several colors, gilded edges or not. This is an excellent solution, inexpensive frame molding to close:

And you can easily build it by yourself...

Here is an example cons not to reproduce ... where the picture frame takes precedence over painting:

The molding is much too broad and gilding crushes tones of this painting in Venice ... certainly we would have preferred it ... more sober and discreet;

Finally ...

But maybe you want to build your own picture frame? To get exactly what you want? Please visit the pages of the menu item "wood made" ...Floater Frames as an example?