LESSON #24 - How to Cut Mats for Your Paintings

[dennis]

In order for me to easily find and answer queries about this Lesson I will appreciate it if everyone will keep these  to this specific Lesson Posting only. This will also be of benefit to you as well in the future.  Thanks

There is no template for this lesson.

[Maryna]

Dennis, I am just wondering, the links on the pdf - firstly thanks for that. Just wondering can the same equipment etc be used to frame oils? Or is all that only to frame watercolours?

[dennis]

Yes, Maryna, it absolutely can. You can frame oil and acrylic paintings behind glass and with a mat.

Because of the the thickness of the canvas panel the fixing at the back is quite a bit different. I have done it quite a few times in the past and there are many artist that do. Don't forget that the glass will add quite a bit of weight to the finished product. The glass also protects the painting. I don't recommend non-reflective glass as the distance between the painting and the glass will not result in a very clear image. In fact, I personally do not use the non-reflective any more because of this, even with a single mat.

With the proper mat(s) and frame the finished product can look very good and add value to your painting. If you have painted impasto style then you may have to increase the distance between the painting and the glass. There are some frame styles that have deeper than normal rebates to compensate for this type of framing.

I have not framed the deep edged stretched canvas yet. Also, DON"T frame a wet oil painting behind glass - wait until it is very dry to the touch.

[Tousabella]

Dennis.....When cutting a mat larger than the painting, how and where do you affix the painting?  Some of my paintings are on 9x12, and 9 1/2 by 12 1/2 paper, so if I have a larger frame, how do I mount the pic to the mat?
Thanks. It came to me in the middle of the night!!    I'm sure I paint all night long sometimes. LOLOL

[dennis]

Good question: What I normally do in that case is to position the painting correctly in the opening and then using an acid-free tape, tape the top edge only of the painting to the back of the mat board .

Only tape the top edge as this allows the painting to expand and contract with the weather and not cause the painting to buckle. It has to be able to "breathe", as it were.

A good framing shop should be able to supply you with this tape.

[C.Bodine]

Dennis, a lot of the framing material I use isn't made for deep material like stretched canvas on framing.  It is okay to remove a completed oil painting from the under framing in order to frame it? (mounted onto a more flattened surface in the same manner as for wc ?)

[Tousabella]

C.Bodine....I think if you make a new topic, you'll get an answer quicker.
I have NO idea about oils or canvases.  I would like to paint with oil, but besides no room in this tiny place, I couldn't handle the turps.   Boo hoo.  LOL   I'll be just as happy to stick with my w/c and 'dabble' with acrylics on rocks.

[Tousabella]

C.Bodine...me again. Nolan answered your question in the section of "Framing".

[fruhulda]

Hi Dennis! I have watched the video about mat cutting. Very informative. I wonder if you do mats with a broader bottom? If so is there something more subtatial to go on than what one thinks look good to decide the measure?

[dennis]

Fruhulda, many years ago it was the custom to make the lower portion of the mat a bit broader than the sides and top. All my photographic mounted submissions at the photographic club were done this way. Nowadays it seems that everyone accepts an even width all around.


I can't remember the proportion I used to used  but I would say if you add another 1/4 of the normal width is should look OK.  I suggest you take a scrap sheet of paper and draw (measure) out a small frame size and then check how it looks. You can then make adjustments to suit before making an actual mat.

[fruhulda]

Thank you Dennis!