When framing traditional artwork, it is not always necessary to choose a traditional frame. Often a more modern style of frame can be an excellent choice. Although these landscape paintings are fairly traditional in style, the client was keen to frame them in something more contemporary, to suit the room they were destined to be hung in. Having the options of the individual hand finishes meant that we could introduce a wide choice of colours and stains for the client to pick from. ![]() The client chose a simple, square section, painted a solid, mid grey which tonally complemented the paintings without competing with colours. To add interest and to break up the colour, a cream beveled slip was introduced.
If you would like advice about our different hand finishes or framing an oil painting you are welcome to contact or visit our client space.
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The paintings of Roberto Pagliarulo, although modern, have a distinct classical element making them congruent with traditional frame shapes. His most recent work takes inspiration from Italian landscape and culture, often including a mythical quality, drawing the viewer into a captivating perceptual experience. The frames we made for Roberto's paintings reflect his union of contemporary and classical: the designs chosen are traditional yet simple; modern yet including shapes found on older styles of framing. His confident use of colour means frames with a painted finish are a fitting choice. The designs chosen allow for the creation of clear, bold areas of colour to successfully frame the image. For this oil of Hercules we enhanced the richness of royal blue with the addition of gilding along the inner section, whilst keeping the frieze a flat off white. You can view more art by Roberto Pagliarulo and information on his website. Also with Highgate Contemporary Art and Lena Boyle Fine Art. At Fine Artisan Conservation Framers, we consult and engage with our clients to create individual hand finished frames. Visit our client space to view our frame samples or contact us for framing advice.
Unusual artworks often inspire an alternative approach to framing. For two book pages illustrated with gold leafed miniature paintings depicting Sufi Whirling, a deep solid Oak frame with Black Stain and Wax hand finish was a great choice because of its richness and simplicity. More traditional shaped and gilded frames were also considered, but our client decided to match their other frames ordered which were contemporary in style. The pages appear to be suspended between two sheets of anti-reflective glass which creates a magical illusion of floating, which compliments the meditation described in the paintings where the Sufi figures perform ritual positions and spinning. The depth of this oak frame means it can stand unaided, as well as being hung on a wall if preferred. As the wallpaper behind would be seen through the glass, this can add new design and colour elements depending on where it is placed. By displaying it as an object on a shelf or table, you would be able to see the reverse of the pages and also the gold leaf could be lit effectively to shine. Visit our client space to discuss your unique framing requirements and view our frame collection.
Popular choices when framing small artworks include very wide, grand frames or to choose a more minimalist, slender frame. The latter was chosen for these two contemporary portraits in oil by Alexander Young MA (RCA). A deep profile with a thin facing edge, these float frames provide an unimposing border around the paintings. The chosen colour was a complementary but not competing grey. The paint and wash finish subtly brings out the grain of the wood to add a little texture and interest. Alexander Young MA (RCA) studied at the Edinburgh College of Art and the Royal College of Art. He is a realist, figurative artist who paints portraits and objects found in his domestic setting. He explores the idea of taking everyday objects and through painting them transform and elevate them to see them afresh. He mainly paints in egg tempera on a gesso ground. He has exhibited at the Royal Academy of Art and Dulwich Picture Gallery amongst others with work in private and public collections. You are welcome to contact us for further artist details. Visit our client space at Fine Artisan Conservation Framers to see our full collection of hand finishes and selected frame options or contact us with your individual requirements.
Slight alterations to frames can have impressive effects. For this 20th Century Impressionist painting of Montmartre by Charles Malle, we created a frame to our client's specifications. We began with various hand finished samples to decide on shape, width and colour combinations. The final combination chosen was a large frame with a wide frieze between raised astragals with a pale grey and white distressed paint finish. Our client, however, decided a slightly deeper tone was needed, so we replaced the pale grey with a darker, bluer hue. The colour alteration created a bolder frame with the darker frieze enhancing the whiteness of the astragals, which then brought out the cool tones in the painting. Our client was very pleased with the result. Contact us with your custom framing requirements. Visit our client space at Fine Artisan Conservation Framers to see our large range of frames and finishes.
Every framing order at Fine Artisan Conservation Framers is unique with each customer having their own particular needs. In this case study our clients required a frame for a large oil on canvas to be displayed at a private residence in Mayfair, London. They wanted the frame to match the style of an existing leather and metal frame, so the painting would sit well with the rest of the luxury interior. We sourced frame samples with different finishes which would suit the painting and which could be combined to build a similar combination frame. After visiting the residence and consulting with our clients, they chose a 68mm wide flat Larson-Juhl 'Antique Brown' faux leather finished frame with a dark silver aluminium wrap frame adding a polished metallic accent on the outer edge. The LJ Angus Faux Leather frames are available in 'Antique Brown' (Dark Brown), 'Cognac' (Tan) and 'Dutch Black' in three classic profiles. Our clients requested glazing and so we recommended Anti-Reflective glass with spacers to provide protection and superb clarity, especially since the painting has dark tones which will become highly reflective under regular glass. Oil paintings do not need to be glazed, although glazing will protect the painting from the build up of dust over time which can damage the surface of the paint and then require professional cleaning. The faux leather with polished aluminium successfully frames this painting by being both contemporary and traditional.
Contact us with your bespoke framing requirements and visit our client space to see our large range of frames and finishes. When framing abstract expressionist work, like this painting on paper dated 1959 by William Gear RA which we framed to conservation level for Arthistorical Ltd, gold can be a winning and arresting choice. With energetic and expressive art, a bold frame is often required. The water gilding on this frame complements the warm yellows and reds in the artwork while the curved astragal shape enhances the sweeping gestures used to create the piece. The shade of gold in gilding can be the difference between a warm 24ct gold and a cooler 22ct moon gold. In this instance a bright 23.5ct gold leaf was used to match the artwork. The black outer edge adds a gentle weight, creating a union with the powerful black gestural shapes in the painting. Another thing to consider when framing energetic art pieces is the complexity of the frame design. A uniform finish on a simple shaped frame can provide a calm counterbalance which successfully frames the artwork without being too busy or fussy. (See also the flat, neutral float frames we made for Tim Benson). For interest about the William Gear RA painting contact Arthistorical:- Arthistorical Ltd. is a fine art dealership specialising in European sculpture but also dealing in an eclectic range of other art, including Old Master and Modern British paintings, antique textiles and Asian works of art. The company is a member of the LAPADA art & antiques trade association and is based in Central London. www.arthistorical.com If you require framing advice or would like to view our collection including gilded and hand finishes at Fine Artisan Conservation Framers, you are very welcome to visit and contact us.
One way to frame an expressive, textured oil painting is to contrast it with something clean, calm and simple. When we framed three epic oils by artist Tim Benson VPROI for his exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London, we knew they would look great in a frame that is weighty yet subdued and unobtrusive. Tim's signature style of framing for his oils is a square, wide-faced float frame, painted in a flat, neutral hue. The simple shape and neutral colour provide a solid, calm border that recedes, allowing the painting to be the rightful focus of attention, while the heaviness of the wide section gives the frame enough weight to be able to contain the expressiveness of the brush strokes. For these frames we gessoed the moulding to bring an extra level of simplicity with a beautiful, smooth finish and invisible joins on the corners. The paint we used is made by The Little Greene Paint Company, the colour being one of Tim's preferred colours. Floating is a way of framing that allows the viewer to see the entirety of the painting. It is the ideal way to frame a painting that has an impasto paint application providing a respectful distance between the frame and the artwork edge. You can see the paintings we framed for Tim Benson exhibited in the Threadneedle Space at the Mall Galleries.
Exhibition Details: Tim Benson VPROI / Lachlan Goudie ROI - New Paintings Mall Galleries, The Mall, London SW1 23rd – 28th March 2015 Open daily from 23rd March 10am-5pm, 23rd & 24th March 10am -9pm www.timbensonart.co.uk |
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