HOW TO MOUNT A PICTURE OR PHOTO

If you understand color basics, you should be able to properly mount a picture or photo to hang in your home. The very first thing you have to do is realize the different possibilities. These depend on your pocketbook, your personal taste and the nature of the photo or picture.

The first thing you have to look at is the mat. What color do you wish to use? Consider the dominant value i.e. the degree of darkness and lightness ranging from black to white, in your piece. Decide whether the work is warm, - oranges, reds, yellows or cool– blues, violets, greens. Using these two factors, decide what color you believe suits the work.

White is probably the most common color to mat a painting or photo with. It is considered the safest choice. The problem is which white? There are at least 30 different types of white to choose from.

White may also not be suitable as a mat. Choosing white or other light colors? This is considered a good selection for contemporary works. Prefer more vibrant or deeper shades?  Dark colors are seen as often being better suited for traditional pieces. Just remember, light colors help the work to project, dark bring about recession. In the case of a black and white photo always use white or muted shades of grey.

A simple rule of thumb: always try to choose a color that complements the picture. Strong colors may call for black or, if the picture is dominated by lighter or washed-out colors, light colors.

Once you have an idea of the color you want to use, determine whether the mat will be single or double mounted. Do you want thin or thick? What size should you select? It depends on the individual photo or picture and the effect you wish to achieve. Classic black and white photos are usually placed within a large white mat. Works that go to the very edge of the paper may want to have their image cropped by the matt. Alternatively, you can try a “matted float.” where the piece within the mat appears to float. The white edges of the paper on which the work is painted or printed are displayed within the window of the mat. In other words, you have the painting, a surrounding area of white and the mat.

Mats can be placed within mats to achieve a recessed or focusing effect. They can also be cut evenly on all sides. This creates a balanced matting frame. More commonly you find weighted border mats. In these works, one side is significantly larger than the other three. This is usually the bottom. Chose what works for you. Experiment if possible to discover what works for the picture and for the room.

The last thing you will consider is a frame. Does your work need one? Oil paintings, unlike water colors or pastels usually do. They may not require matting, but oil pieces do need a frame.

The selection of a frame is as inexpensive or expensive as you wish. Cheap wooden, metal and plastic frames can be purchased at dollar stores. More expensive and crafted ones are available at appropriate outlets, including framing stores.

What is important is selecting the right frame for the work? Color and material must be closely considered. Succinctly, frames for old photographs should be kept simple: old wood is suitable, especially if the photo is in sepia tones. If the painting is a period piece, use a period or antique frame. Try secondhand or antique shops. For atmospheric paintings, classical moldings and possibly painted frames may be best. For tempera works, be careful in your choice of frame and realize, as well, it might be necessary to provide a protective glass covering.

In the end, the most important thing is to select frames and mats to enhance the work.