Watercolour Framing Tips

So, you are now the owner of an attractive watercolour painting and now want to know the best way to display and protect your painting to ensure it will last a long time. Whether you choose to frame the painting yourself or entrust the work to a professional framer, please take note of the following information. You will be armed with the correct terms that a framing shop or art materials supplier will understand.

Picture framing is an art in it's own right and there will be websites that go into far more detail than I could, so please search the web for framing ideas. I'll just give you the basics you'll need to know to get you going in the right direction.

Apart from presenting the painting in an attractive manner, the frame is also intended to protect the painting from dirt and moisture that can be present in the atmosphere. It is important to remember that a painting should not be hung anywhere that would make it subject to direct sunlight, or major changes in humidity, such as a bathroom or kitchen environment. Even if a painting is painted on the most expensive watercolour paper, using the best quality paints, it would still not be able to stand up to those conditions for long before it either started to fade or become stained with mildew. So please choose your display area with this in mind. If the display area is a bright room or a room where artificial light is on for long periods, please consider using UltraViolet resistant glass if you value your collection. This will help prevent fading enormously.

The first thing you'll need to know is what size of frame you will need? If you are planning to frame one of my 7 x 5 inch paintings yourself, using a ready made frame, I would recommend using an off-the-shelf 12 x 10 inch frame but please treat yourself to a professionally cut mount from a framing shop, it will only cost a couple of pounds and make all the difference to the way the picture will look. Personally, I would measure the painting and add 6 inches to both the height and width. E.g. If the visible area of the painting measured 7 x 5 inches then I would be looking to buy a 13 x 11 inch frame.

This would mean my painting would be mounted onto a mount board which is 13 x 11 inches but with a 7 x 5 inch bevelled aperture cut into it. The mount board has three functions. It prevents the artwork from making contact with the glass. It tidies the edges of the painting, and the painting can be mounted on it. I would recommend the use of an acid-free mount as this would not have a detrimental effect on the paper and is only fractionally more expensive. (If you are framing the painting yourself, any framing shop would be happy to cut and supply the mount to you).

Mount board is available in hundreds of colours but most artists tend to favour an ivory or off white colour. If you are in any doubt as to which colour you should use, play safe and use these colours. They will make the colours in the painting sing and complement virtually any colour scheme in your home. The painting is mounted onto the mount with the use of an acid-free water soluble gummed tape. Just use a couple of small pieces of tape and apply them as I have shown in the diagram. This will hold the painting in place on the mount but still allow the painting to expand and contract slightly due to small changes in the atmospheric humidity. If the painting was secured all round with tape, there is every chance the painting would cockle and look unsightly in a short period of time.

Please, please, please, do not be tempted to use any plastic tapes, sellotape, or any masking tapes. You've seen what they can do to book pages. They lose their adhesive qualities, turn brown and brittle and will leave a dirty chemical residue on the artwork. This could ruin a watercolour painting and affect its value.

The last thing to consider is the backing board at the very back of the frame. The backing board in effect pushes the picture onto the mount board and keeps the painting flat. If the backing board is not acid-free then impurities from a hardboard or plywood backing board would leach into the painting causing it to discolour. If you are not certain whether the backing board is a museum or conservation board please ensure that it is isolated from making contact with the painting by using an acid-free barrier sheet in between the two. The back of the frame should be sealed with water soluble gummed tape to prevent the ingress of airborne dirt.

One last word of caution about cleaning. Do not spray glass cleaner directly onto the glass as some of it may find its way to the mount board by capillary action. It would only be a question of time before it then travelled towards the painting surface itself. Spray a small amount of glass cleaner onto a cloth, clean the glass and wipe off immediately.

Having followed these guidelines, you should be fairly confident in the knowledge that your grandchildren can look forward to receiving a family heirloom in a pristine condition.

I have been contacted by a number of collectors who say they would love to buy more of my watercolours but the paintings would look lost in the space they wish to fill. Therefore, I include some examples of alternative ways in which the paintings could be framed to make a larger impact to give you some ideas on what you could do.

There is absolutely no reason at all why a number of paintings cannot all share the same frame. It can work out to be a cheaper method than individual frames and still present the artwork in a very attractive manner. Your framing shop will have no trouble in framing your paintings in this way and will be only too pleased to advise you further.

Don't forget you can also ask for the paintings to have a double mount, this adds another level of quality to your framed artwork and is well worth considering. Ask your framing shop to show you some examples of this. I'm certain you will be quite impressed. Here is an example of a triple mount. This is just a detail of one corner of a painting. The colour combinations you can create are unlimited and really does present a watercolour in a most effective way. 

Watercolour Conservation Tips. 

1. Proper Framing: Ensure that your watercolour painting is properly framed using acid-free mats, backing, and UV-resistant glass to protect it from damage due to light, dust, and moisture.

2. Storage: Store your watercolour paintings in a dry, cool, and dark place away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and humidity. Ideally, the paintings should be stored flat and separated by acid-free tissue paper or interleaving paper to prevent sticking or rubbing.

3. Handling: Handle your watercolour paintings with clean and dry hands or with cotton gloves to avoid transferring oils, dirt, or moisture onto the surface. Avoid touching the painted surface or rubbing it with abrasive materials.

4. Cleaning: If your watercolour painting requires cleaning, use a soft-bristled brush or a clean, cloth to gently remove dust or dirt. Avoid using water or solvents, and seek professional advice if in doubt.

5. Display: When displaying your watercolour painting, avoid exposing it to direct sunlight, heat sources, or high humidity levels. Rotate the artwork periodically to avoid uneven fading due to light exposure.

By following these conservation tips, you can help to preserve the beauty and value of your watercolor paintings for years to come.