10 tips for choosing the perfect picture frame

Once your artwork has arrived, you will want to select a suitable picture frame for it. This can sometimes seem like a daunting task so I thought it might be helpful to share my top 10 tips to help you select the perfect picture frame for your pet portrait.

1) What is a picture frame for?

In choosing a picture frame, it helps to know what they are for. A picture frame acts as an interface between the picture and the environment in which it is displayed. It separates the picture from its surroundings so that it can be seen and appreciated in its own right, while also contributing to the overall décor of the room that it is in. A good frame will not only enhance the artwork but also the environment in which it is hung. A picture frame can also protect the artwork from damage, dust, bugs, fingerprints, and light. Finally, a picture frame is often the means by which the picture is physically hung or fixed to the wall.

2) What size should the picture frame be?

Usually, the size of the picture is fixed so the first question is what size frame to put it in. Should the frame fit the picture exactly or should it leave room for space around the picture? Larger frames work well in bigger rooms, like sitting rooms where there are larger pieces of furniture or other features. A larger frame helps the picture to stand out and take it’s place in the room without looking small and insignificant. Having several smaller frames grouped together can also help give the pictures presence. Smaller frames, like the ones my mini pet portraits come in, tend to work well in smaller rooms like a bedroom or office.

3) What colour should the picture frame be?

Picture frames come in all sorts of colours. Black frames work well with many sorts of picture, but don’t be afraid to consider a coloured frame. Look for a key colour or overall tone in the picture and try using a similarly coloured frame. A darker colour can give a more formal impression to a picture. Black and white pictures generally work best with black or white frames. Wooden frames are another great option but you will want to make sure the sort of shade and tone of the wood compliments the colours in the picture.

4) What style of picture frame to use?

There are many different styles of picture frame from the relatively simple to the ornate and fancy. The style of the frame should ideally match the picture. If the picture is a classic old-fashioned style oil portrait with rich vibrant colours, then a more ornate frame might work well. If, however, it is a sketch or outline then a complicated frame might overshadow and distract from the artwork, so a simpler more minimalist frame might be better. A frame should never detract from the artwork itself, but rather complement it and draw attention to it.    

The style of the frame might also pick up on the value of the picture. If someone is paying 100K for a painting, they might expect the frame to reflect something of the value of the artwork in its artistry and grandeur.

5) What material should the frame be made of?

Picture frames can be made of different materials like wood, metal, glass or plastic. Since they can be painted different colours, the material tends to contribute more to the texture of the frame. It’s best to match the frame material to other materials in your room. For example, if you have other wooden furniture and decoration in the room, then a wooden picture frame can work well. If, however, you have a more modern contemporary style in your home, then a metal frame might fit in best. 

6) How thick should the frame be?

The thickness of a picture frame can range from several inches for larger pieces, to nothing at all, where the artwork is simple displayed under a sheet of glass without a border. It is usually best for the thickness of the frame to be proportional to the size of the picture. For example, a larger picture would require a thicker frame. 

7) What mount to use with the frame?

A picture mount, also known as a mat or matting, is a piece of paper or cardboard that is placed between a picture or artwork and its frame. Picture mounts can add to the artwork, separate it further from other details and colours in the room, and generally enhance the visual impact of the artwork. Picture mounts come in a variety of colours, materials, and sizes, and can be customised to fit any picture. When choosing a mount, it's important to consider the size and style of the piece, as well as the overall look and feel of the display. Here are some things to consider when choosing a mount:

i)    The width of the mount

The mount creates a visual border around the picture or artwork, separating it from the frame and giving it a more finished look. They are usually cut internally at a 45 degree angle. Like the thickness of the frame, the size of the mount should be proportionate to the size of your picture. They are usually big enough to give 1 to 4 inches around the picture. A larger picture can have a wider mount, while a smaller picture benefits from a narrower mount. As a general guideline or starting point, consider a mat width of at least 1.5 times the width of the frame’s edge pieces (the horizontal and vertical lengths of “moulding” that make up the rectangular structure of the frame), so that the mount space does not look too “squashed.”

The mount is usually the same thickness all around the picture but there are various reasons for different sizes and ratios:

  • In order to fit the picture into a different shaped frame.

  • For effect (sometimes having a thicker border at the bottom of the picture can give more impact).

  • To compensate for an optical illusion where equal widths don’t always look quite equal to the viewer.

  • The fact that the mount will sit slightly lower in the frame due to gravity.

Pictures mounted in a gallery often have a wider border around them to make the picture stand out more, separating it even more from the immediate surroundings so it doesn’t compete with any images or objects around it.   

ii) The thickness of the mount

Mounts are usually 1.4mm thick but can be 2mm for greater impact and depth. Pictures can be “double mounted,” which is where two mounts are used on top of each other, usually the top one has a larger aperture (hole/opening) then the bottom one. This creates a sort of double border around the image giving more depth and emphasis to the picture. Small amounts of dust from pastel and charcoal pictures can fall from the picture over time so having a double mount with a hidden gutter can help hide it. Any dislodged dust falls under the top mount (which is slightly raised from the picture by the smaller mount underneath) and collects behind it. One other feature you might come across is a decorative “V” groove. This is a groove cut into the mount around the opening which adds another “frame” around the picture. If the inside and outside of the mount is the same colour it can be quite subtle.  

iii) The colour of the mount

The colour of the mount can complement or contrast with the picture. For example, a white mount can help to make colours in the picture stand out, while a black mount can add drama and contrast to a lighter image. If you want the mount to match the décor of the room and blend in with the surroundings consider the room in which it will be displayed. For example, a neutral-coloured mount may work well in a minimalist space, while a brighter mount may be more suitable for a colourful and vibrant room. Some mounts have a different coloured core that becomes visible when it is cut, emphasising further the border around your picture.

iv) The amount of protection provided by the mount

The mount helps to protect the picture or artwork from damage by keeping it away from the frame’s glass. This can prevent smudging, scratching, or sticking. Water can also sometime condense on the inside of the glass and you don’t want that to come into contact with the picture. It’s important to use high-quality, acid-free and archival quality materials for mounting a picture. These will ensure the paper and picture remains in good condition for years to come, and don’t discolour over time.

8) What glass type to use in the frame?

The type of glass to use in a picture frame depends on the level of protection and clarity you want to achieve.

i) Regular glass

The most common type of glass used in picture frames is regular glass. It is affordable, but it does not provide any protection against UV light.

ii) UV-protective glass

UV-protective glass, however, blocks up to 99% of UV light, which can cause fading and damage to your picture over time. UV-protective glass is a good option if you want to preserve your picture for a long time.

iii) Art glass

Gallery grade glass like Art glass is the high-end option that provides the very best protection against UV light, glare, and reflections and also the greatest transparency ensuring that the picture beneath is seen in the greatest clarity. It is also, as you might expect, the most expensive option. It may not always be necessary for home use but if you have paid a lot for your artwork, and it means a lot to you, then it can be worth the extra investment.

iv) Acrylic glass

Finally, there is acrylic “glass.” It can be more expensive than regular glass and may scratch more easily but on the plus side, it is more lightweight and shatter-resistant. It does sometimes come with a none glare coating but my advice is to avoid that as it can greatly reduce the clarity of the picture underneath, especially if it is slightly separated from the glass. 

Ultimately, the type of glass you choose will depend on your budget and the level of protection and clarity you want for your picture.

9) How to further protect the artwork in the frame

As a final step in framing your picture, it is good practice to seal up the back of the frame with acid-free mounting tape so that no dust, smoke, or insects can get in. After that, you might want to avoid hanging the picture in direct sunlight, over a source of heat, on damp or recently plastered walls, or in a room that often has a lot of smoke in it from a fire or candles.

10) Where to buy picture frames?

I’m often asked where to get frames from. Here are some possibilities:

i) High-street shops or websites

You can buy a range of frames from high-street shops or online from sites like Amazon. These come in a range of sizes and are usually the cheapest option, but it is sometimes difficult to get the size you need with a suitably sized mount.

ii) Online made to measure framers

Because of the above limitations, I sometimes use an online bespoke frame suppliers. They give you lots of options for the colour and style of the frame, and you can specify the exact dimensions of the frame. You can also choose the colour, type and size of the mount. This option is more expensive but definitely worth it if you want more choice.   

iii) A professional framer

The most expensive option is to go to a framer. The advantage is, though, that you will get expert advice on the best type and size of frame to use. You will usually then need to leave the picture with the framer for several days while it is framed.

iv) Do-it-yourself

Finally, there is the DIY option where you make the frame yourself. You buy strips of wood shaped in the style you want (i.e. the right colour and cross section), cut it to the right lengths, and stick it all together. You can buy mount board in the thickness and colour you want and cut that to shape too. You will need all the right tools of course, including a mount board cutter, mitre saw, and wood glue. You can buy the type of glass you want, which is usually pre-cut to your specifications. This option is probably only worth it for an artist who needs a lot of frames of unusual sizes.

Conclusion

Of course, many of the above guidelines can be broken if you want to achieve a particular effect, but hopefully they give you a good starting point for choosing a great frame for your artwork. If the picture is a standard size, then there is a good chance of finding a suitable frame in a shop or online. If not, take a look at an online framing service, or go to a professional local framer.