Frame Critique

[JackPaulssen]

Hello there, I'm hoping I might put a recent frame to you all for critique.

I've produced perhaps a handful of frames now, so it's a good time to take stock. First things first, I'm impervious to taking offence. As with my painting, above all else I'm keen to improve the quality of what I produce. I'm not precious. So please don't hold back. My hope is to get my work into galleries next year, including my frames, so any help I can get to provide more professional-looking frames might make a big difference.

The frame is fairly simple, essentially the only thing I know how to do at this point. It included:

1. Cutting moulding using Morso, gluing, frame clamp.
2. RSG size
3. 6 layers of traditional gesso. Sanded, 220(I think? grit). Water polished.
4. 2 layers of yellow bole, 2 layers of red, then 3 layers of black bole. Polished with 0000 wool
5. Gilded the inside edges.
6. 0000 wool to the gilding
7. Final layers were liquin + van dyke brown
8. Polished with "Renaissance Wood Wax and Polish" and a bit of rag cotton cloth.

I'm learning a lot with each new build. A few things I've picked up for next time:
- The black bole doesn't get as dark as I'd like. It also goes a bit matte. so I'm assuming I need to start looking into shellac?
- burnish the gold leaf more carefully. There's a lot of unattractive marks caused by carelessness. I also managed to chip off a bit of bole/gold leaf by burnishing an edge too hard.
- Try fewer layers of gesso, and the recipe provided by Dermot in the other thread.

Anything else you can help with would be appreciated.

Cheers, Jack

[vintage frames]

Well done if you are just starting out finishing your own frames.

There are a few things that might be worth pointing out.
Let's start with the gilding.

Whilst it's good to burnish and distress the gilding on the raised inner detail, the further inner flattish section should be left untreated. This will give the gilding more definition by way of the contrast between the two effects.
The exposed red bole is too loud.
Choose a grey bole from Stevensons Gilding Supplies and paint this over the red. That should tone things down a bit when you rub through.

It might be better to create an ebonised Flemish frame effect by choosing another finishing method.

You have two choices.
1, Paint the barewood frame with black acrylic paint, and using a Venetian Red undercoat.
The paint can be polished a bit with fine wirewool and then apply a few coats of wax.
This will give you a shiny black frame and if that is all you need, then take it from there.

The disadvantage of this is the lack of any depth and the need to fill the grain with gesso or other. Or you could just leave the wood grain showing.

2, This however is the sort of finish which is possible by using Shellac polishes -

Because there is no gesso underlay, the wood profile is sharp and distinctive.
Notice also that although the frame is black, it has a depth and tone which harmonises perfectly with the picture.
If this is what you would aspire to, then all you have to do is learn how to use shellac finishes..

[JFeig]

You have a good star; however, I do see a need for that "wow" factor.

1. Your painted finishes should be cleaned up a bit at the union between the gilding and the painted surfaces. The transition should be a crisp straight line.
2. I see a need for a bit of finish sanding before the wax is applied. It is not that smooth. I do not know what type of brush you are using. Have you considered using a self leveling paint?

[JackPaulssen]

Apologies for the delayed response - just wanted to say thank you for providing feedback! JFeig and Dermot. A lot to work on

JFeig you mentioned a couple points.

1. On the lack of a crisp line between guilding and paint. It sound ridiculous but it hadn't occurred to me to use masking tape to achieve this until I saw a picture on Dermot's website, ha. I just tried to keep it straight by hand. So I'll try the masking tape next time and hopefully it'll be cleaner.

2. Self-leveling paint, no I haven't tried it. Any recommendations? I've never heard of it tbh. I have struggled to get a smooth finish. I've assumed I'm just not very good at sanding the gesso layer? For applying the gesso I've been using a watercolour brush, as it seemed to be the least streaky. I have a string bound brush, but this leaves a very visible brush mark.

Thanks again both!

[JKX]

Fullscreen capture 04052022 25406 PM.bmp.jpg


Notice also that although the frame is black, it has a depth and tone which harmonises perfectly with the picture.

Not for me, I like the frame and I like the art too, but not together!

[vintage frames]

Well, I think they go brilliantly together.

[JKX]

Yes, you already said.

[vintage frames]

I have to thank JKX for bumping this thread up for a little further discussion.

Regardless of whether you like the frame/art combination or not, my point was to illustrate how an antique frame has a certain tonal quality which allows it to harmonise perfectly with the enclosed artwork.

In this case, although the frame can be described as Black, the materials and finishes used have given the frame a visual depth that can only be achieved with the use of semi-transparent shellac polishes and stains.

You can create a casual appearance by the use of black paint but the finish will lack all the visual depth and patina which makes for a perfect antique appearance.

This, of course will be of interest only to a hand-finishing enthusiast and to anyone else who cares to study the finish quality on antique frames.

[JKX]

I didn’t bump it, the thread starter did, I don’t think I paid much attention until then, but it’s been so quiet I thought I’d see what it was all about.

I can’t see how that black frame, regardless of what tonal values it has or how if was made, harmonises with that picture, it’s generally black and about as subtle as a train crash IMO.

Explanations are not necessary, for art or the frames around them - I, like most, know instantly if I like either or, and as I said, I do, just not together in this case, and it’s not just total hand finishers like you who know what they like when they see it.

[vintage frames]

My mistake.
I was so distracted by JKX's interest in my comments that I overlooked JackPaulssens reply.

IMO.

I'm obviously seeing something that JKX doesn't but then we all share the same inclinations - 'I knows wot I likes.'

[Tudor Rose]

Well, I think they go brilliantly together.

I have to agree with you, I think that looks stunning. But as always with this job, there's more than one way to do something and what one person likes, another won't.

[JKX]

I'm obviously seeing something that JKX doesn't but then we all share the same inclinations - 'I knows wot I likes.'

You could also.of course, obviously be missing something I'm seeing

[vintage frames]

I now have to accept that JKX sees this picture as a bad framing combination which has all the subtlety of a train crash.

The artist Greyson Perry had a kind and understanding attitude to this level of opinion when he said of visiting the National Gallery - "You don't have to like everything you see in here."

I should mention the context in which this picture is seen. The artist was Jacob van Ruisdael-Hae, a painter of the Dutch Golden Age.
The frame may or may not be original to the painting but was certainly contemporary to the style of framing popular and extensively used in that period.

The museum in which the painting hangs would have been anxious to display the picture in its true historical setting.
Perhaps JKX should contact the museum and offer his insights on their decision.

His comments however are distracting from the subject of this thread which was to explore how a frame could be produced which would match in visual harmony with the appearance of antique art.
That is If you can even see what the challenge is.

[JKX]

I think a thread on general frame/design critique would be good - a bit like Greg Perkins does on one of the framing facebook groups (or maybe used to - I left it a while ago)

The same image treated in shout 20 different ways, list your top three. I wonder how this frame would fare around the same painting.

[Tudor Rose]

Feel free to start one John.

[JKX]

I'm not sure I have the photo editing skills.

[Justintime]

But plenty of time to learn right? And your own Facebook group to start it on! Win win.

[JKX]

Well, maybe if I was still in business. Any new things learned need to be garden, DIY, calligraphy ….. etc related now!

I’ll be leaving that Facebook group before the end of sept as part of my framing rehab, photoshopping framed artwork would be a step back.