Preparing your Paintings for Hanging
As I have already explained. I offer paintings and NOT mounts or frames.
If a picture is mounted or mounted and framed, I look on that as protection until the painting is mounted and framed to help it to add as much as possible to the space and décor of the room where it will finally hang.
Mounting your Paintings
The purpose of a mount is to help the painting to work better for you.
Please avoid trying to make a painting fit a mount and frame which were intended for a different painting.
You can use a mount to attract the eye to the picture by having a mount with top and sides of equal width and the bottom between 25% and 30% wider.
Colour lining of a mount can to tie the colours on the paining to the décor of the room.
This idea may also be enhanced by applying a colour wash between some of the lines.
Double mounts in contrasting colours can also work to drawn the eye into the painting.
Framing your Painting
Choosing a moulding for your painting is just as important as selecting a mounting arrangement.
Remember that glass is heavy, so it is important to select a moulding which is wide and sturdy enough to support the whole picture without distorting under the weight.
There is a bewildering selection of mouldings to choose from.
Where and Where NOT to Hang
Historically paintings were hung high up.
This was to minimize the destructive effect of sunlight.
The proof of this is in the picture box of almost any charity shop where you will see prints which look far too blue.
The first colour to fade is usually red followed by green, or the yellow in green which leaves the blue.
These days, paintings are hung much lower on the wall so you no longer get a crick in the neck when you look at them.
I would suggest that you do not hang paintings where direct sunlight can shine on them.
The sun is at its lowest on around December 21st when it may shine on more of your wall areas yhan at other times of the year.
The sun may also be a problem early in the morning and late in the evenings around June 21st.
The answer is to hang as many of your pictures on walls where the sun does not shine as possible.
For many years now, we have had blinds instead of or as well as curtains.
They allow sufficient light through during the day, while still protecting our paintings from the sun.
If you buy a contemporary watercolour, it is worth asking if the paints used were of ‘Artists Quality’.
They are more expensive, have stronger colour and are more colour fast than ordinary paints.
Damp
Many old watercolours show signs of damp in the form of mould or foxing (brown spots).
Old buildings had solid walls which could suffer either penetrating damp or condensation.
Paintings which did not allow sufficient air to flow between the back of the picture and the wall could suffer.
If you live in an old building, you could cut some discs from wine bottle corks to use as pads to create an air space behind your paintings.
Glass
I do not like non-reflective glass.
I think it spoils the look of a painting.
You will find a guide if you follow the link below:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/caringforprints_leaft.pdf
I hope you have found the above helpful.
E&OE
Unique Paintings of Wales 