glass or not

[tony coleman]

i know this may seem a silly question too ask,do you put the glass in when
framing your potraits.i only ask as i saw it mentioned while reading a book on potraits.all this time i have been doing potraits i never used glass,is it necessary or just a personal choice.

[scrollpup]

Hi tony. With me, its just personal choice.It's easier to clean dust off glass than the wood.

Jerry

[Jediscroller]

I typically leave the glass out Tony. I've found that my sales are better when people can touch the wood.

[Richard Grover]

Personally I use glass. To me it gives it more of an appearance of finished "art" (No lets not get into the discussion of art verses craft again.)
One important factor in your consideration is what you use for a backer. If you are gluing your portrait onto a soft backer {i.e. felt} then glass would help protect small fragile pieces from breaking. However, if you are gluing your portrait onto a hard backer {i.e. luan} then glass is purely optional as the small fragile pices are already secured being glued onto a hard backer.
Another factor for consideration is the depth of the rabbit in the back of your frame. I use glass, double mat, 1/8" oak ply, black felt backer, and then a cardboard frame backer. All this adds up and it is difficult to find a store bought frame with a deep enough rabbit.
That being said it really boils down to two factors. First and foremost, is PERSONAL CHOICE - How do you want to present your pieces. Secondly, if you are selling - which will sell better?

DG Dewalt 788

[B Smith]

I use glass also. It keeps the dust out and adds a finishing touch to the piece.

[wood-n-things]

I don't use the glass on a regular basis, I leave it up to the recipient. I make most of my frames so the depth of the rabbit is up to me.

Thanks Kevin for helping me get started on my own frames several years ago.

[yost69]

Im one of the glass users also. I only do it because it is easier to clean the dust off.

Ben

[Mick Walker]

Tony, my vote is for no glass. I do use 1/8" luan for a backer so the cutting is glued down, as said it is really up to you. Whatever YOU like is the best way.

[minowevie]

I think glass can protect your cuttings some, but also leaves a reflection. scroll work is not hard to clean. what I do is. use a soft paint brush to go in the frets to clean them out. I do spray some liquid gold on the brush, first. but then that leaves oil on them to collect more dust. I just brush it all out real good. and what I love about liquid Gold is. it dries inside the wood. not on top. just my point of view. your friend Evie

[m_r_dxn]

It is personal, as already was said. I just about always use the glass. Keeps dust out of the frets and most of the time looks better too, in my opinion. I've also been told by more than one person that they thought it looked more "professional" when framed with the glass. Note that I said JUST ABOUT always, but not ALWAYS. I usually show it to my family both ways and get their opinions before I go one way or the other. Every now and again I'll do a project that just looks better without the glass.


Also, if I'm using store bought frames, it depends on if the glass is mat or smooth. I never cared for the looks of the matted glass over scrollwork.

Just my 2 cents