subject: Picture Frame Mouldings: A Primer [print this page] Author: Susan Slobac Author: Susan Slobac
Whether they are photos or paintings, frames serve as the stage and proscenium in which the audience views a work of visual art. Picture frame mouldings are what make the difference.
Wood Or Metal?
When it comes to selecting the right picture frame moulding, your initial choice will be made between wood and metal. This choice is largely determined by the nature of the image being displayed; paintings generally use a wood picture frame moulding, whereas a photograph is displayed with a metal one.
The metal picture frame moulding used for the latter is usually black and narrow. Such picture frame moulding supplies include contrasting white mat board so as to draw the viewer's attention to the center where the photograph appears. Another reason to choose this type of picture frame moulding is in the case of a gallery display where some degree of uniformity is desired so as not to detract from the artistic images themselves.
Wood picture frame moulding tends to be much more variable in appearance. At certain times and places in history, some types of wood picture frame moulding could be extremely elaborate, with inlays, carvings and filigrees. Today however, such picture framing moulding would definitely detract from the painting itself, and has been out of favor for decades. Today's sleek, simple wood picture frame moulding supplies are designed to complement the paintings while effectively blending into home dcor. When it comes to wood picture framing moulding, you also have a variety of widths and colors from which to choose.
Custom or Standard?
When your art photography or paintings are of standard size and ratio, it is possible to get inexpensive, mass-produced picture frame moulding. For "one-off" sizes however, you will need to get custom picture frame moulding supplies. These mouldings are more expensive, but on the up side, give you more control over many elements of the finished project that you would not have with a standard, prefabricated frame. Some of these variables include width and color in addition to size.
In Summary
Picture frame mouldings may be metal or wood, and standard or custom. If you purchase a framing kit, you will get not only the moulding itself, but all the materials required in order to successfully frame your work of art. There is a wide selection when it comes to picture frame moulding as well as a diversity of colors, styles and prices; there are few hard-and-fast rules, so go with what your own sense of aesthetics tells you.About the Author:
