The Bad and the Ugly

[prospero]

Two 'ready mounted' watercolours. (By the artist I assume.)

If there are any rules, these break most of them.

carpmount001.jpg (167.9 KiB) Viewed 4765 times

carpmount002.jpg (160.89 KiB) Viewed 4765 times

The bit in the middle is the underlayer of a double mount in case you haven't figured it out.

[David McCormack]

At least the watercolurs are in good hands now!
You should keep the masking tape Prospero in case you have some decorating to do

[Jonny2morsos]

I think they stopped off here on their way to you!

C--p-Mount.jpg (104.21 KiB) Viewed 4731 times

This came in a few weeks ago for framing. The picture was bought direct from the artist and has been removed and put in a new mount and framed.

[Jonny2morsos]

Peter - ever thought of treating yourself to a new cutting mat?

[prospero]

It's taken years to get that one trained.

[framemaker]

Had this to do in the week, a nice double 8 ply mount, not so nice masking tape, on a drawing by David Tindle RA

[standenfineart]

I'd be interested to know what you do when you find this (client instructions permitting).
For example do you just cut the artwork away from the old mount and leave the masking tape where it is or do you remove the tape from the artwork either mechanically or with the use of solvents.

[Rabbie Side Burns]

I'd be interested to know what you do when you find this (client instructions permitting).
For example do you just cut the artwork away from the old mount and leave the masking tape where it is or do you remove the tape from the artwork either mechanically or with the use of solvents.

Personally, it is usually a bit of both depending on the individual piece. I tend to find masking tape goes one of two ways - either ultra sticky or dries up and falls off, leaving a dusty residue. If it proves difficult to get off you have to decide what will cause the least damage to the work.

The worst mounting I have seen of late is some original mixed media artwork on thick paper with rough torn edges which came in to us flat mounted on to foamboard using CARPET TAPE! These came to us direct from the artist who is reasonably well known and has been published by a major publisher. I have to admit I was horrified, particularly when it took me 2 1/2 hours to remove the five pictures from the boards without causing any damage. You sort of expect that sort of thing on artwork that was framed over 20 years ago, but not these days.