Framing Matters
by Chris A. Paschke, CPF GCF
IEA E-Newsletter January 2010
"Sink Mounts for Hardboards"
Many encaustic artists are working on cradled panels, but some are opting
for thinner 8 ply rag board, 1/8" hardboards (like Masonite), 3/8" MDF
(medium density fiberboard), or clay coated boards such as Ampersand Claybord,
Dick Blick, Daniel Smith or other private label hardboards. As with many commercial boards, Ampersand Hardbord is available as 1/8" flat
panels suitable for standard framing; 3/4" cradled panels for float frames, and 2" cradled boxes
that stand alone with no frame.
By standard framing
they simply mean placed into an
average depth frame as you might display any 1/8" painted canvas board. For oils and acrylics, when the look of a mat
is desired, a linen liner is added as an inner frame. If a traditional mat is desired then a sink
mount is a viable alternative.
A sink mount is a noninvasive, reversible, reusable, support system used
under a window mat. It uses a simply
constructed pinwheel of 1/8" or 3/16" foam board as a framework to
surround the hardboard panel.
The pinwheel is attached to the backing board and the encaustic art panel
is placed inside the borders of the pinwheel, which is then held in place by a
top window mat that is cut 1/4" smaller than the pinwheel. This holds the panel in place using no
adhesives, clips or permanent fusing, making the process 100% save and used by
conservators around the world.
How-To Assemble a
Pinwheel
- Cut a backing board out
of foam board or 4ply mat board the size of the frame.
- Center the completed
encaustic on the backing and measure equal side widths.
- Draw pencil lines on
backing as pattern for pinwheel.
- Measure total thickness
of panel with encaustic.
- Cut four strips of foam
center board the depth of the encaustic and panel to fill the side spaces.
- Apply PVA white glue or
two-sided tape to the back of the strips.
- Align the first pinwheel
strip to lower left corner of the pencil marks.
- Butt each successive
strip against the previous one.
- Turn sink mount face
down and cut off any protruding strip ends.
- Hinge the window mat to
the pinwheel sink mount like a book.
- The sink mount strips
should be level with the surface of the art.
- Fit into glassed frame.
All framers should know how to create a sink mount for you, or you may
easily build one on your own. Just make
sure the frame is deep enough for this type of spacer. N
END
Chris A Paschke
Designs Ink
Tehachapi, CA 93561
661.821.2188
http://designsinkart.com
chris@designsinkart.com