Framing portraits

[millwab]

Scrollers,
The whole Art Show thread got me wondering ... when you frame your portraits, do you:

• use a mat around the picture
• cut the wood larger than the pattern needs to create a sort of wood "mat" around it
• do you just run the pattern to the edge of the wood and not intentionally leave any space around it
• or does it depend on the reason you're cutting it (e.g. a show/contest display vs cutting it for someone else)

Just thought I'd get a feel for what "we" do.

[guitarman]

In my case, I usually size up the pic after I've cut it and decide what would look the best. David

[Jediscroller]

I've never much cared for the look of the matts around portraits so I don't use them. I will usually cut the piece and then play with different woods to see which type of frame I'm going to make. I always cut my blanks to "finished" size prior to starting. As I make the majority of my own frames, I never much worry about the actual dimensions of the piece. In some cases, where there is a lot of wood left around the work, I will use a very narrow frame (i.e. 3/4") where with very detailed work without much wood left I've used as wide as 2". I have scraps of walnut, mahogany, maple and oak that I will typically try to see which I think looks best. I've also used rosewood for certain very special pieces.

[Richard Grover]

I frame all of my pieces, and yes most of them I double mat. White mat with 1/4" of gold mat showing closest to the portrait. Ocassionally I will forego the mat altogether, but not as a general rule. Size depends upon the picture being cut. I cut everything to fit in either a 11 x 14 or a 14 x 18 frame. On a very detailed piece I will run the picture right to the edge of mat so that it looks like it is "floating" - my wife really likes this look.

DG Dewalt 788

[Mick Walker]

Bruce, I usually leave 1/2" to 3/4" border on all my cuttings. The frames I make have a 1/4" rabbet so that leave 1/4" to 1/2" border between the cutting and the frame. Don't care for matting around a wood picture. To each his own, whatever "YOU" like is the best way.

[unixpro]

When I frame a portrait, I usually pick one or more edge(s) to be flush with one or more sides of the frame. For the back or the rest, I use either a nice natural wood, press-one felt, or flocking, making the color one that brings out he piece. My frames are also cut to fit after the piece is done.

Here's one of mine, for example: Unicorn

[craftnut]

I have used a very dark blue(almost black) backing for my portraits for years. A number of you have said you use a felt as a backing. I have thought about using felt but wondered about the color. Most of my portraits are of people and I wondered if any of you could recommend what colors would look good. And one other question: If you sell your portraits at craft shows, as I do, are customers inclined to buy framed portraits that are table top over the hanging type? I have always sold mine with table top frames but never thought to ask my customers if they prefer the hanging type.

Bill
Seattle

[Richard Grover]

mridangini,
I don't know about others on this forum, so I speak only for myself. I do NOT think this is the proper place for pictures with a sexual nature. This is a family site with a lot of different people all with different backgrounds. Personally I would find pictures of a sexual nature very offensive and would cause me to leave this site.

DG Dewalt 788

[pat c]

mridangini, It wouldn't bother me and I'd be interested in your work and patterns you might want to share, but as this is a family site I'm not sure if it would be appropriate. Possibly links to the photo or pattern might be with a disclaimer. I posted a cutting of a womens backside and didn't catch flack for it but after I posted it I worried that it might not have been appropriate. I'm sure the mods will weigh in and give you a diffinitive answer. Pat

[jigsue]

Bruce

The answer to all of your questions is "yes" "no" and sometimes. There is no fixed way. Do whatever shows your picture off best. I sometimes use thick wood and just rout the edges, not framing at all, used vey thin glass beading as frames for portraits and even, when doing segmentation, cut the frame out as part of my picture .

Sorry for the size of the pics, I don't know how to do "Blue clickeys". I would be grateful if someone would PM me and explain the process. In the meantime, they are viewable within my gallery if you are interested

Cheers

Sue