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On this page you will find tips and advice about choosing and caring for your art. This is general guidance, please consult an expert if you have issues with delicate or expensive/precious artwork! 

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*** working on this section – feedback welcome***

Q:How Can I Stop My Artwork Fading?

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Have you noticed how if you leave a magazine or other piece of printed material in direct sunlight from a window, pretty soon the paper will discolour and the print will fade. Of course, it's not meant for long term use but the principle is the same – no art likes being in direct sunlight. 

Avoid positions opposite large windows, glass doors, mirrors.

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Be careful when choosing art for your hallway.

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Think about using a special UV protecting glass in the frame.

Q: What Are the Pros and Cons of Buying Work Framed?

When painting on canvas I often continue the image around the sides of the canvas, this would be lost if framed in a tight fitting float frame.

There is no easy answer to this one. Personally, I always recommend that people buy their paintings unframed, so that they can choose exactly the right frame of the aesthetic of their home or workplace.

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Conventionally, work in exhibitions is usually framed in a simple white or neutral coloured frame, to avoid detracting from the artwork itself.

If you are purchasing at an art fair or open house be sure to check that you are happy with the finish on the frame and there are no nicks or loose fixings.

If you love and artwork but hate the frame, don't be afraid to ask the artist or gallery if it's possible to change it.

Q: Do I Need a Frame?

I think that canvases look nice when presented directly on the wall and that they don't always need to be framed. But, a frame which compliments the picture, can enhance its impact.

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Works on paper are designed to be used with a frame and mount or mat, this is not just for display but to keep them in good condition.

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Q: How do I find a Professional Framer near Me?

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If you can afford to I would always recommend getting artwork professionally framed.

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Choosing the right frame is important both in terms of presenting the work but also in terms of making sure that it is well cared for.

My top tip for choosing a frame is to ask a professional framer! That doesn't need to be a expensive option but you will get really good advice. 

Look out for
the Fine Art Trade Guild, that is the industry's trade body. You can find more information at: www.fineart.co.uk

Mostly people think about the aesthetic qualities of the frame itself, but the glass at the front is really important. Normal glass gives a reflection but you can get nonreflective glass, and also glass which has higher UV protection for your art. If it's a special piece for you, whether an expensive artwork or a child's drawing you want to treasure, it's worth considering these options.

Q: Any Framers You Can Recommend?

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3 paintings framed by HF Framing shown in a collectors home

Sadly many of the framers which I have used in the past have closed but I can speak for the following framers which I have used personally.

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HF Framing 

SW17 0BB

info@hfframing.com

​Very professional framers based in the busy Wimbledon studio complex. 

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Blue Magpie Framing

Lavenham

Suffolk

info@bluemagpieframing.co.uk

this framer has gone through various incarnations, ask for Juliet. ​​

Although I haven't tried this framer personally I intend to in the New Year, and I have heard good things about them. 

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Arty Corner

Wimbledon

www.artycorner.uk

A large canvas painting framed for me by Blue Magpie

Q: I Want to Do It Myself, Where Do I Start?

So, either you can't find a framer near you or you decide you want to do it yourself  Where to begin?

Q: How Do I Frame Works on Paper?

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First of all, it's not just a frame you will need – you will also need a mount or mat.  Not only does it make the picture look nice, it prevents the front of the art touching against the the glass or the acrylic of the frame.

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If it's a picture which has a lot of texture, the mount is especially important to make sure the texture doesn't rub against the front of the frame.

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​Measure the painting or print.

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Think about how much white space you want around it between the image and the frame. You can really change the way the artwork looks by surrounding it with a large mount or a fairly thin one.  This will give you the size of the mount that you need for your artwork. It will also give you the measurement for your frame.  Note down the size of your mount, both the internal dimension and the external dimension. Remember your need to overlap the image a tiny bit in order to hold it securely in the frame.

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Note the size of the frame you need. 

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Now you are ready to go to the shops whether virtual or physical. If you are shopping on the high street, I do recommend frames by the Ready Made Picture Frame Company. These are the ones I have used for some years and are very traditional and easy-to-use. You can find them in many retail outlets.​

When I am framing paintings for an exhibition I usually choose a white mount and a black frame, however some images work better with a coloured mount or a coloured frame. If ordering online, it's usually simpler to stick with a plain white mount as matching colours is very complicated. 

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I often prefer a bit of grain on the frame rather than it being completely smooth, it's less likely to get scuffed or mark.

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As well as what might work for the image itself, remember to consider the decor of your wall, particularly if you are attracted to a very fancy frame.

Frames from the Ready Made Picture Frame Company

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Here is one of my paintings framed by the collector who bought it, in a very ornate frame, which fits beautifully with her decor and personal aesthetic.

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So let's assume you have found your frame and mount, and now you are ready to fit the picture. You will need some acid free framing tape, a flat headed screwdriver or a coin, some small screws, 2 x D rings, a screwdriver, framers string or wire, and a soft cloth.

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Top tip: don't use ordinary Sellotape or brown tape because they won't last and they might damage your artwork.

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Unclip the back of the frame using the flat headed screwdriver or coin. Take out the glass and give it a clean with a soft cloth.

Top tip: don't use household cleaning products on the glass because they contain harsh chemicals that can damage your artwork.  You can either by framers glass cleaner online, or just use a soft cloth slightly damp, for example a microfibre cloth.

Fit the painting into the mount and secure it using the acid free tape.  Replace into the frame.

Put some plain paper behind the image to protect it from the back of the frame, and also from damp which might get in.

Secure the clips at the back of the frame, and tape down with acid free tape. Framers tape is usually brown and it comes in different thicknesses. It's really good to stop moisture and dirt getting into the picture through the back of the frame.

Now you are ready to add the hanging attachment​ ...​

Q: What Is a D Ring?

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Sometimes you need to put a hanging attachment on the back of your painting. The most common way to do this is with D Rings. You can get them from most hardware stores or online.

 

Measure about one third down from the top of the frame, on both sides, then screw the D ring into each side. It's best to use a strong cord (ideally framing cord) or wire.

 

Make sure that you use a strong enough hanging attachment for your frame, D rings come in a variety of sizes, some with 1 and some with 2 screws.

Q: How Do I Frame My Canvas Art?

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Canvas and canvas board work is usually framed in what's called a "float" frame which goes around the artwork.

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The frame is usually close to the edge of the painting leaving what some companies call a shadow gap between the painting and the frame. If you are working with a professional framer you can be very innovative about how you want your picture to look.  If you are buying your frame online it is a little more complicated and getting the gap the same around all the edges of the image is a tricky job.

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There is also a sort of frame called St Ives which is often used. This holds the artwork in a separate enclosure, a bit like having a double frame around it. I can't speak to this one as I haven't framed with one, I have only used simple float frames. 

The various different companies that sell their frames online recommend different methods of framing so I'm not going to go into the details here  but have a look at some of the excellent videos on YouTube before you start, and make a list of the equipment that you need so you have it all handy. 

 

When you do it for the first time it super useful to have someone to help. Two pairs of hands certainly helps this job.

 

Basically you secure the image to the frame in the way which is most appropriate for you, if it's for your own home, fixing Velcro strips to the back of the picture and the interior front of the frame will probably suffice. If you are framing your painting to sell or exhibit, you probably need a more secure way of doing it, for example by screwing through the frame and into the back of the painting's wooden stretcher bars or by using a special fixing attachment which is designed for the purpose and uses 2 screws, one into the frame and one into the painting.

 

Top tip: sometimes you have to order the screws and fixings separately from the frames.

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Top tip: if you are turning your canvas artwork upside down to screw things into the back of it make sure you have a very clean supportive surface for it like for example a clean towel. Don't use a studio cloth which has residue on it. (This sounds so obvious but I can say in the heat of the moment it can get quite tricky fixing your painting into a float frame, especially if you're doing it on your own.)

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​​Easy Frame

https://www.easyframe.co.uk/

My top pick for buying floater frames online.  The website is easy-to-use and the frames come super quickly. 

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Picture Frames Express

https://www.pictureframesexpress.co.uk/

Another good place to buy floater frames online.

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Great Art

https://www.greatart.co.uk/

this is an all-round art supply company. Great customer service.  Slower than the 2 above, at least in my experience.  Watch out because you need to order the fixings separately from the frames.
 

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Forest Frames

https://forestframes.co.uk/

 

The frames are very good and come with a metal wire attached already, which makes fitting easier, but it's a very small operation and the frames took a while to come through so not the one to choose if you need something in a hurry. â€‹â€‹

Q: Are All Art Prints the Same?

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Giclée print process gives high quality reproduction and long lasting prints

Unless you are an artist or you're an experienced collector, it's easy to get muddled up between the different types of art print available to buy at very different prices.

To start off with, there is the distinction between handmade traditional printing processes, professionally printed offset litho, and new digital technologies.

Particularly if you're buying online there is a huge array of "art print".  Recently technology has allowed for very high quality digital printing, but, for example, if you buy an art print that has been produced on somebody's home computer printer, this is unlikely to last for any length of time. And that is fine if you are looking for something cheap and cheerful, it's just important to know what you are getting.

Q:What Is A Giclée Print?

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So what’s so special about a giclée print?  Basically it’s the quality and longevity of the inks and paper used in the process.  This type of print is often referred to as “gallery” or “museum” quality print.

 

They are digital prints made on a very good quality inkjet printer, as distinct from other traditional ways of printing (handmade or offset litho).  The name giclée comes from the French verb meaning spray, spout, squirt.  The giclée printing process combines archival inks with archival paper to produce a print which is of very high quality and long lasting.

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Digital artwork printed using the giclée process and framed

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Delivering a large giclée print for an apartment block foyer

Q: How do you make your prints on metal?​

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There are 2 different processes that can be used to transfer an image onto metal to create a wall art. In both cases they are carried out by highly-skilled specialist printers.  I work with carefully-selected companies to create my metal artworks.

 

Printing onto Metal Using the Dibond Process

 

In this process, the image is printed onto a very thin sheet of aluminium.  The wall art is created from 2 thin sheets of aluminium with a black polyurethane core sandwiched between them.  If you look at the side of the artwork you can see that it’s a sort of sandwich.

 

These prints are distinctive.  I use a non-reflecting finish.  The metal has a soft sheen.  They are unusual, contemporary, and robust..

 

Infusing the Image onto an Aluminium Panel

 

In this process the wall art is created using the latest in high definition metal print technology onto a thin aluminium panel.  The material may is called Chromaluxe or Alumini – depending on the printer.  But, basically it’s using an aluminium panel of about 1 mm in thickness.  Heat and pressure are applied to special inks in a process called dye sublimation which results in the image being infused into the metal rather than printed onto its surface. 

 

These prints are scratch resistant, durable and robust.  They can be used in environments where ordinary artwork is not suitable, such as a kitchen or bathroom.

 

The special process gives the image a vibrant sharp appearance and there is a tremendous sense of depth.

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You can clean this artwork with a microfibre cloth, but make sure it hasn't got any cleaning product on it or bits of dirt which could potentially lead to minor scratches on the surface of the aluminium.

 

Using the Chromaluxe/Alumini method produces is a premium product which perfectly complements my iPad artwork.

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Q: What is a limited edition print?

Open edition is a term that is used when there is no limit on the number of prints that an artist can make from an individual image.

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Unlike open edition prints, limited editions (like the name says) are strictly limited.  The number of prints in a limited edition is up to the artist. The artist can’t change the number of prints available for sale in the edition, no matter how quickly they sell or even if people want to buy more.  Each print will be numbered and authenticated by the artist.

Artists sometimes create a few different limited editions for the same artwork, for example using different sizes or materials.

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Typically you will see the artist signing the print on the front and giving it a little fraction-like number, for example, 10/30, this would mean the print was number 10 out of a print run of 30 in total.

Limited editions can be produced using a number of different techniques, but let us restrict ourselves to what I am doing which is iPad artwork. Like photographs, limited edition prints of iPad artwork, are usually produced on high quality paper using a process called "giclée".

Q:What is an artists or studio proof ?

Traditionally, a studio proof proofs is produced at the same time as a limited edition print run.  They are generally more expensive and exclusive than a limited-edition.  They are separate from the edition. 

 

My artist's proofs are test prints to see how an image looks at a particular size or on a particular material.

Q: Where shouldn't I put artwork?

Avoid placing your artwork directly above a radiator, or to near a fire.

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Avoid smoky dusty environments,

Unless your work especially designed for it, don't use in a bathroom or a damp steamy area. Humidity will damage most artworks.

Q: How should I clean & care for my artwork?

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To keep art looking its best please use the right cleaning methods. If your artwork is in a glass fronted frame, you can use specialist glass cleaner.

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Please don't use glass cleaning products on an aluminium or acrylic print. Wipe it gently with a soft dry lint free cloth like a microfibre cloth.

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If it's painted on canvas using acrylic paint, framed or unframed, be super careful when dusting. Don't use any cleaning products, I flick away the dust with a soft cloth or duster. (Make sure it's clean and doesn't have any product on it.)

Check occasionally that the strings or wires that hold your pictures haven't become frayed or damaged – particularly important when pictures have been hanging in the same place for a long time.  I have personal experience of old artworks crashing to the floor!

Q: How Should I Store My Pictures?

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If you are transporting your artworks or storing them, it is worth investing in some special wallets to store them.  I recommend 2 companies which make these both of which I use personally. 

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Stiffybag 

Silver bags in various sizes, lightweight and affordable.  These are really good for storing work at home and I use them to send artwork to customers .​​

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​ArtPakk

Sturdy blue or grey wallets with flap over tops and Velcro fastening.  These are brilliant for your favourite work.  They come in a variety of sizes from small to enormous.  Look for them retail, if you want to purchase directly from the company there is a fairly high minimum order but you can also get them on Amazon.​

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Other Packaging

​If you are relying on bubble wrap when storing pictures, stack them vertically and stand them glass to glass facing so that the hangers don't scratch the frames.

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Q: How Do I Create a Gallery Wall?

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Ideas for organising your gallery wall, this graphic was created by the Visual Artists Association (VAA)

I was surprised to discover how much measuring and maths is involved in creating for example an exhibition display, but it applies equally to a gallery wall at home.  It’s something I’m not particularly good at and have to work very hard to achieve.  Here are some guidelines I have created for myself.

When planning your display, bear in mind that natural eye level for most people is 152-168 cm from the floor.

*Don’t put anything below 40 cm.

*Don’t put anything above 200 cm.

*Ensure that the spacing between artworks is consistent so you create a pleasing grid of images. 

*Allow 8 cm of blank wall space around each image.

A good tip is to layout your pictures on the floor as if they were on the wall, and then you can see how they look in terms subject, and colour tones.

 

All this is very personal, of course, and depends on what impression you are trying to achieve but let me pass on some interesting advice I saw on Kate Bryan’s Instagram account.  Kate is a well-known curator as well as judge on Sky’s Landscape Artist of the Year.  She said curating pictures in an exhibition is like being a film director – you need to be a good editor and think about how they work together in terms of aesthetics and conceptually.  Make sure you leave out anything that jars.

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When you begin hanging your pictures, start in the middle and work outwards.

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