General | 18.08.17

Framing print focus

COMING HOME

Focus on framing
I recently framed a lithographic print COMING HOME I made a couple of years ago. I have looked at the image many times and thought it lacked focus. But now the picture is framed I see it with ‘new eyes’. All the lines are resolved.

Focus
Of course the main function of the frame is to focus attention by creating a visual boundary. The frame I had was white and I felt it did little to create the visual boundary I had in mind. So I sprayed the frame a dull black. What a difference the colour made.

Matt
The matt is also important . It provides space for the image so it can ‘breathe’. Matts come in all colours and even textures. This image is printed in black ink and is fairly dark in appearance. I chose a matt with a muted warm colour to emphasise the white paper on which the image is printed.

Protection
The print has a stiff composite board as a backing and the front is glass. Polishing the glass both sides ensures no finger marks will be left. The glass does not press against the print but is supported on the matt. The glass protects the print from accidental damage while being handled and from dust.

Framing without glass
I have a large print I purchased from a fellow artist. The work is framed with recycled timber and has a generous antique white matt. However, the artist did not use glass to protect the work. He felt the glossy surface of the glass would detract from the beautiful rich blacks he had achieved on the print.

Alternatives
Large works need a big frame and a big piece of glass. The glass is quite heavy and expensive and easily broken. I have used a non-reflective clear plastic panel with some success. Not only does the panel protect the art work it does not have a glossy appearance. On occasions reflections on the surface of polished glass can be quite distracting and detract from the art work.