Framing Matters
by Chris A. Paschke, CPF GCF
IEA Newsletter
- Wax-On, August 2010
"Profiles and Long Base Mounting"
Though
many encaustic artists still prefer unframed cradles and canvas painters embrace
gallery wraps, the arrival of new frame profiles continues to boggle the
mind. Seems that more decorative floater profiles are the
hottest new look in the framing world. Just
during the past two years a huge variety of colors and profile shapes of
L-shaped float frames have become newly available (photo1). Newer versions are showcasing rounded backs,
angular L-shapes with thicker bases, and greater more variety in stains and
furniture finishes. Even the narrow
1/4" to 1/2" faces are now available with carved and patterned
designs (photo 2), though these are somewhat defeating the purpose of a sleek
contemporary appearance. The original
concept of the floater was to give support while almost not being visible at
all.
photo
1
Front
row have a variety of profile shapes
and
heights, but all are short base.
photo
2
Carved
antique silver (L), walnut (C), speckled antique gold curve (R).
Though
selecting a frame to enhance your painting is very important, it is only one
part of the consideration. Since your
framer will be the one to worry about how to deal with long vs. short base
frames it may seem like none of this should be any of your concern. But understanding the fitting process of your
selected float frame may better explain framing costs while also assisting if
you should decide to reuse the same frame on another painting of equal
size.
Long Base Profiles
Long
base profiles are by far the easiest to mount and give the art the most
support, but it appears that short base profiles may offer more design
flexibility for manufacturers and since they use less raw material they are
usually lower in price than their long base counterpart. The placement of screw assembly and
attachment of a panel or cradle to any L-shape frame will depend on the width
of the base of the frame profile.
A
thin painted panel or hardboard may be glued to a platform of wood to allow for
the art to hang over and float in the frame.
This is called a lifted--or platform--float mounting (photo 3). A single screw is positioned to attach
through the long base directly into the bottom of the platform (lifter). It is best to glue the art directly to this
removable lifter so paintings may be switched out by simply unscrewing it from
the frame, cutting a new platform of equal size and depth, and screwing that
back into the frame.
A solid float mounting would be the type used for a long base frame and cradle or thick plywood painting substrate. A substrate is the selected base material the painting is applied to whether rag board, hardboard, birch plywood, or cradled panel. Metal screws are better for assembly than wood screws because of their continuous threading all the way to the head and the flat head shape which allows for countersinking into the frame. Generally #6, 3/4" flat head Phillips metal screws are the best choice.
Screw Placement
Mounting screws should be placed 1/4"-1/2" from the inside edge of the frame base (photo 4) depending on the encaustic substrate and they should be long enough for adequate threading. If a cradle the screw should align to the center of the side wood support.
photo 5
Screws are set 1/4"-1/2" from the inner edge of the base.
photo 6
Platforms or cradles are screwed to the frame from the back.
Whatever the profile shape or substrate you use for your painting, make sure you understand what your framer is going to do and how he/she plans to adhere or hold your painting in place. Asking questions and working to help educate your framer about our medium of encaustic will help build a better working relationship between you. If you are a do-it-yourself artist/framer you can email me if you have additional questions. Also more in-depth hands-on articles are available in my article archive at http://www.DesignInkArt.com/library.htm
END
Chris
Paschke, CPF GCF
Designs
Ink
785
Tucker Road, Suite G-183
Tehachapi,
CA 93561
661-821-2188
chris@DesignsInkArt.com
For
more on float frames visit
http://www.DesignsInkArt.com/frames.htm
Article
Archive and Reference Library
http://www.DesignsInkArt.com/library.htm