The Framers Forum

I agree with "not your average framer". there should be no need to lay silk over the corners as long as you've done a decent job on the mitre joints. Where there might be a problem is when the moulding shrinks as can happen with pine. I use pine but I dry it well by the fire overnight. Goo...

Richard I agree and understand now why you choose acrylic size over oil size. Yes, acrylic size is both fast and certain, limited only by it's softness and finish. It was just my reflection on the amount of gesso work that goes into creating those frames, only to use a cheap final gild. I know, I kn...

My advice would be to go to your local library and seek out books on wood finishing or furniture restoration. The mouldings you'll use are just wood, like furniture. Much of what is written on the web can be both confusing and often is rubbish. Strangely, I'd avoid many of the picture-framing books ...

I'm puzzled why you would use acrylic size on such well prepared frames. Compared to oil size, slower setting leading to a finer finish, acrylic size can remain soft and sticky long after being covered in foil.
Or at least that's my experience.

Nice frame,Geoff.
After you gessoed the carvings, did you have to re-cut the gesso and does this blunt the tools?
Iv'e never tried to do scroll-work like that. Of the time taken to make the frame, what percentage goes into creating that effect?

Sorry Roboframer, I wasn't explaining myself properly. I agree with your advice, and Framemakers', to float mount the image and use pass through hinges. In this instance I wanted to use a more mechanical means of support. If you look at the photo; I've used quite a deep spacer between glass and boar...

Thanks again for all your comments. The straight foward solution would have been to put the engraving inside a mount, but the challenge was to stick to the customer's brief - not an original engraving, framed in a Hogarth frame; but a Hogarth engraving within it's frame. The structure of the thing w...

Thanks Prospero I'll be thinking about the use of mylar strips. I've actually done the job by making small finger tabs which clip over the sides of the engraving. These were made from strips cut from the borders of a few less valuable antique prints. It was all very fiddly and complicated, so I was ...

I had an original Hogarth engraving to frame in it's tradional gothic style frame. The engraving was to be "close-framed" ie, no front mount, and the paper itself was quite light and fragile. In this instance, the customer wanted as little adhesive contact as possible. I was able to attach...

Geoff
I like the little white gold frame. Can you post a better photo?

Although the photograph is a bit vague, I've been studying it hard to find something,- anything I can criticize. Quite irritating! The small frame with gadroon detail; is it a gesso effect or has it been gilded and then de-capo? The big frame at the back, on the left. You've not distressed the gildi...

Tudor Rose - I salute your eloquence.
It was Featurepiece that started it all!
Blame him.

I thought this forum was about - picture framing.
Am I looking in the wrong place?

That looks very very like a Rose & Hollis plain obeche frame. I would suggest-; Stain the wood with spirit stain, mahogany. Paint over a thinned wash of acrylic burnt umber paint. ( use "student" grade - it thins better) Paint on two coats of shellac sanding sealer. Rub down with 00 wi...

'Took me ages to get it to look like that too.

LOOK EVERYONE! we've got to page 3!
A lively discussion - what we all enjoy.
Now, next topic......

Craftmanship in the assembly of frames? - OK, if you wish. But I'm really talking about the finished frame as a made object.

I wasn't trying to belittle anyone. Stop being so tetchy! If you run a business, use only factory mouldings and people come and pay you money - whats not to like? I just don't think there is any relevant discussion on the artistic merits of a factory finished frame.

Oops! Sorry Roboframer.
Nothing wrong with factory finished frames as a product but when we start judging a framing project in aesthetic or artistic terms, then a factory finished frame is just an assembly job. Where is the craftmanship? But, once again, if the customers happy ....

It's always exiting to hear some acerbic criticisms but let's not go overboard on our praise of the work. Featurepiece did a good job for the budget and weren't trying to lay down an aesthetic marker. They could have used a factory finished frame on this and then we all would be talking nonsense.