Mountboard

Hand finished framing is mainly about creativity, and the path to finding that perfect frame. Starting from bare wood the frame is cut and crafted, then layers of gesso primer are applied to the wood after it has been prepared, coloured paints and paint finishes, gilding, varnishes or waxes, along with any other detailing required is applied. All the frames I offer are hand made and hand finished in my studio, artisan crafted and artist finished with an exquisite attention to detail. You can find out more about my hand finished framing process [here].

The best way to frame a fine art painting is to choose a frame style, colour and finish, that enhances the artwork in the environment where the artwork is to be hung or presented. This isn’t always easy, but guidance from an artist who understands how to use colour to create a desired outcome can help a great deal. Decades of experience have helped me refine a range of styles, colours and finishes that will work with almost all fine art framing requirements.

I offer a free framing advisory service with the aim to make selecting the right framing options easier and simpler by reducing the number of decisions to be made. Simply go to my Free Framing Advisory Service [here] service product, answer a few simple questions, upload an image of your artwork and I’ll provide a visual of my recommendations, along with options and a price. It’s free (of course) and there’s no obligation at all.

I offer a Sample Framing and Finishing Service to try and simplify framing, in a similar way to my free advisory service. I make bespoke sample chevrons (framing corners), that clients can place directly with their artwork and view their art and framing sample where it would hung, for example. Moulding styles, hand painted colours, finishes, gilding, etc can all be specified [here]. I make small charge for the samples to cover material costs – there’s no obligation to order a frame, though of course that’s what I hope for.

I only offer water based wood stains, and Farrow & Ball water based paints, for frame colouring. Water based coatings are far superior in environmental terms, and in the case of the products I use are indistinguishable from the more harmful oil based alternatives. My standard colour options include the most popular colour choices, however, you can choose any colour (or colours) of paint from the F&B range, or from my stain colours for use on the frame or slip as required. Adding gilt to features on the frame moulding is a very popular way of adding highlights, and typically in various tones of gold or silver. There’s a huge combination of complementary colours and gilding that can be used to create the visual effect required, to keep things simple I have a “standard” range of styles, colours, gilt and finishes that I use to create the majority of my frames.

Mostly, yes, but not exclusively. My interest has always been in how to present fine art at its best, and by focusing solely on hand finished fine art framing I have learnt a great deal about how to enhance the art and complement the environment around it. Hand finishing allows me the opportunity to be fully creative in an effort to achieve the aesthetic effect that best fits the artwork and environment. I don’t frame anything other than fine art in JNA, though this does cover a wide range from prints to paintings.

Yes. Framing is at its best when it’s a creative collaboration, and framing can sometimes appear to be “difficult” in the wide range of choices available in hand finished framing. In addition to the artwork itself, the environment where it will be displayed, and the effect that is desired in how the artwork is presented, are some of the factors that influence choices in framing. If you’d like some help or advice, please get in-touch – or use my FREE Framing Advisory Service [here].

Yes, as part of my JNA standard framing finishing options I offer a range of premium quality water based wood stains on a selection of my standard mouldings.

I try my best to continually reduce the impact on the environment from any of my products. Wherever possible I choose all the materials and consumables I use with a view to minimising environmental impact, I use environmentally sound practices and suppliers who share similar goals regarding sustainability. Checkout the Environmentally Friendly Framing tab above, for an in-depth description of some of the steps I take, or view my full Environmental Policy [here].

I offer a range of moulding styles that I’ve found over time work well with hand finishing and are appealing aesthetically. Mouldings, from contemporary to more traditional styles lend themselves to hand finished framing. And, I also source specific mouldings if requested. So, if you’re looking for something other than the my standard moulding styles just get in-touch and I’d be happy to try and meet your moulding style requirements.

I offer two gilding technique options: Painted Metallic Finish – artist applied primer & metallic paint finish (by myself), and then sealed to ensure longevity, or, a Leaf Gilded Finish – I create a traditional gilded finish using metal leaf, and again sealed to secure the finish and colour. The main difference between the two finishes is that the painted metallic gilding finish is slightly more subtle – so if you’re looking for a “high” gold or silver then the leaf gilded finish could be better suited.

5-10 working days from order is about the norm, which is to some extent dependent on the detailing and finishing requirements of the specified frame. Every order is made from scratch, however, my standard frame sizes are often available a little quicker as I tend to fit similar sized work together for ease. The number of finishes required also makes a difference, the simpler the requirement generally the quicker the turnaround.

The best fine art framing is often determined by the type of artwork and the aesthetic and environmental requirements for the framing. Original oil and acrylic paintings are usually framed without glass, original pastels, watercolours, sketches, prints and artwork on paper, are almost always framed with glass to protect the art from effects of UV (ultra-violet) Light that will cause fading, and to protect the artwork from physical damage. I offer a range of standard framing options to suit most requirements, just get in-touch with details of your requirements and I’ll happily provide some options.

I offer a standard hand finished framing online ordering service which guides you step-by-step through the process. Or, you use my FREE Framing Advice Service [here]. Or, My Sample Framing & Finishing service [here], either will help you in detailing what styles, colours, and finishes you may require and enables me to provide an accurate quotation to meet your requirements. Or, just get in-touch with your requirements and I’ll provide a quotation, and we can go from there.

Prices of hand finished frames vary considerably, the moulding style, colour choices, and gilt (if required) affect the pricing, mainly due to the amount of time required for the chosen finishing options. Hand finishing is, by its nature, labour and skill intensive – creating the effects that make hand finished framing worthwhile demands attention to every detail. You can use my online ordering service to view prices for all my standard hand finished framing options – which is a good place to start your pricing research.

Yes. If you would like to place an order for multiple frames, the same or different sizes, or finishes, I’d be happy to provide a specific quotation to meet your needs. I also offer a range of services for artists preparing for an exhibition, I know from experience how expensive framing an exhibition can be and I always try to reflect this in my pricing.

If you’d like to enquire about prices for bespoke framing, sizes, finishes etc, or would like a price for multiples of a frame then click the Pricing For Bespoke & Multiple Frames button above – or just get in-touch, I’d be happy to discuss your precise requirements, and provide a quotation.

I often use a slip, or fillet, which can be thought of as very simple inner frames within the main frame – you can see examples on some of the product images. They’re often used as a way to slightly distance the artwork from the rebate in the main frame, softening the transition from frame to artwork, or in the case of a fillet used to gap the artwork from glazing to add a depth effect. If you need any advice on these items please get in touch.

I offer acrylic glazing as my standard option though I offer glass as a custom option depending on circumstances and requirements. I have a very particular way of packaging to ensure the risk of the glass being broken in transit is minimal, and if necessary I use a courier that specialises in transporting fragile items. Shipping without glass is cheaper and sometimes preferable, especially if it’s relatively easy for a client to obtain cut glass local to them

I am very careful about my packaging. I aim to keep your frame safe and secure in transit and reduce the environmental impact of the packaging. I package each frame uniquely, avoiding the use of plastics, and where it’s not possible I use plastics that have a high recycled content or are recyclable. My packaging is suitable for re-use, so if you want to re-send your framed artwork on then simply use the packaging once again and you’re ready to go!

Glass, or more specifically glazing is usually necessary only when the artwork requires protection from the environment, mechanical damage, or especially to combat UV (ultra-violet) light that can cause colours to fade. Often work on paper is mounted behind glass for this reason, original oil and acrylic paintings on canvas or board are not usually presented behind glass as the paints resist fading to a much higher degree. I offer acrylic glazing as my own standard option which you can order as part of a framing order if required.

Sketches or drawings are usually framed behind glass, to prevent fading by UV (ultra-violet) lights and any physical damage. It’s important to ensure that the paper doesn’t contact the glass which will cause the artwork to deteriorate, this is accomplished by using a mountboard or a filler to distance the work from the glass. There are several options available, please get in-touch if you’d like some advice on how to frame work like this.

Yes. I supply all of my frames with all of the necessary fixtures and fittings, including “D Rings”, Screws, String etc.

Yes, I offer a standard range of mountboards which you can find by clicking [here], however, if you need boards, colours, finishes, thickness, grades etc, that aren’t available in my standard range just send me a message and I’ll get back in touch with details. All the mountboards I supply are Conservation Grade which means they conform to stringent quality standards regarding the materials used in production (from the Fine Art Trade Guild), colour stability and are acid free.

In addition the mountboards I offer are from UK based manufacturers that are also FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) accredited suppliers, if you’d like to find out more about the FSC click [here].

Yes, all the mountboards I supply are Conservation Grade. This means that the board used meets the stringent criteria laid down by the Fine Art Trade Guild, the boards are lignin and optical brightener free, the surface papers are resilient, bleed resistant, acid free along with other specific material requirements that ensure the outboard is colourfast, lasts and will not affect your artwork.

In addition the mountboards I offer are from UK based manufacturers that are also FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) accredited suppliers, if you’d like to find out more about the FSC click [here].

My experience is that colour on screen tends to be too luminous – because it’s being viewed on a screen, and in general they can look very slightly warmer. If colour accuracy is very important to you then Farrow & Ball will provide a free colour swatch book, (I include a link on my framing products), and I’m happy send sample mountboard swatches on request. Or ask me for a sample paint swatch, just get in touch.