Some say a canvas or a photograph is only as valuable as its frame. That statement certainly stretches the truth (pun intended)! More honest would be to say that your masterpiece's palette, shading and light would be best set off with the right accessories. It doesn't matter if you have just learned how to draw a standard poppy in a field or are an expert at portrait drawing. Decent framing on the right wall contributes much to the aesthetics of any picture.
Picture frames are as much a part of specialist art supplies as paints, pencils or a good drawing tablet. Framing gives your work more value and makes it look more natural. The right frame can also provide important protection for your paintings, photos and prints over time. Canvas frames cheap cost - well, the relatively cheap cost can protect your investment, too.
The trouble is that unless you are a carpenter as well as an artist, you likely don't have the craft for cutting wooden frame elements in the right size. But these days, you can learn to do anything from the Internet, right? Do-It-Yourself'ers might be tempted to frame their painted canvas themselves. While it is possible and could be less expensive, there are lots of issues involved.
Firstly, a novice woodworker would obviously not create a final product of the same quality as a professional. You may also go through a lot of wood before getting the cuts and setting exactly right. A bit of a waste if you ask me!
You can find a lot of online choices, like Framebridge, but the shipping can often be pretty pricey. They also work best for canvases of a standard size, as opposed to custom sizes. This probably means that your only option is to employ the services of expert framers, which can come with some pretty high costs.
This is especially true for artists that are working with larger canvases, because of course, the bigger the canvas, the higher the price. Still, unless you plan to leave your favourite pieces from drawing classes rolled up in a closet, framing services are probably necessary. From mounting to wooden shadowboxes, the range of choices for displaying images can get pretty overwhelming. Heading to a frame shop can make all of your canvas frames cheap questions clearer and more simple.
Why Do You Need Picture Framing?
There is a persistent idea that only artworks by famous artists are worth spending the money to get framed. However, if you or your kids take drawing classes in Sydney, you might find that you have the house littered with your craft. Wouldn't you want to protect and preserve your art?
Custom framing costs a fair amount, so it's natural that you probably won't display every single item. But if your kids' drawings are special to you, at least a few of them deserve to be displayed. You could even create a floating arrangement of small drawings, meaning the cost of framing might be less if the pieces are smaller.
Framed pictures make a beautiful gift for any occasion, especially if the image inside is hand-made. For example, an older relative would likely appreciate a photograph of them from their younger days, set off in a nice wooden frame. Or you might get important objects put on display, like medals, special clothing or collectors' items.
There are no rules when it comes to this process. As long as whatever item you want to display is special to you, having it framed is definitely worth it. Plus, imagine how happy your kids would be if they view their nicest piece from their drawing classes in Melbourne on display!
Sure, you could shop for ready-made frames on the web and from professional workshops. But if you wish to have custom-crafted accessories art item, you should expect a bit of a cash outlay. Particularly if it's a large, costly canvas or a small work on paper.
Before you start your shop, you must consider aspects like the materials involved, the tools and precision and the time to set the frame. The glass covering your item, the backing and the mat to give it a floating appearance add to the cost of the frame itself. And then, you may consider different levels of protection for your art. Budget framing offers a minimum of protection from dust and stains. By contrast, commended framing could be considered a baseline of protection to keep your item dust-free.
Conservation framing ensures the highest level of protection for your masterpiece. This is museum-level framing, the kind you'd go for if the work you want to frame is, indeed, an investment. Or if you painted the work yourself and intend for it to be a family heirloom.
In all cases, you must also consider the item's size: the larger the canvas, the costlier the frame. Should you have painted an epic à la Jackson Pollock, you may fare better by simply leaving it stretched on its internal frame. Of course, none of these questions will arise should one pose their design on a virtual canvas with your drawing tablet. So let's look at how to choose the right size and style of frame and what kind of sale price you can expect.
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The Type of Image
During your drawing lessons, you sketched a lovely line drawing from a one-point perspective. Now, you wish to display it to its greatest advantage in your dining room. Any artist would tell you that you should not frame a charcoal sketch the same way as you would a watercolour.
For a charcoal drawing, you would probably need a wood or metal frame, composed of four mouldings. It would rest on an intermediate frame or mounting called a Marie-Louise. This type of frame would stop the graphite from touching the glass, thus preventing smearing and damage. By contrast, your watercolour would appear to float beneath its required bevelled mat. These are otherwise known as passe-partouts. You'll also need a glass cover to protect your item from dust and stains.
By contrast, a print or a photo would not require that elaborate a framing style. You could probably get away with canvas frames cheap; something quite thin and simple. Maybe even something from the frame shop's sale bin. But we need to consider other factors, too.
The Colours in the Picture
A passe-partout, a Marie-Louise and other framing accessories should provide a colour contrast to your displayed image. For example, if you rendered a seascape with oil paints, your matting should not be aquamarine in colour. That shade would likely feature prominently on your canvas. Consider instead that an off-white or ivory mat might provide a floating contrast. However, the frame itself could be aqua coloured.
For coloured images like those created on an interactive whiteboard, you can try to match the dominant colour with the frame, making it stand out. In general, black and white photos or prints should only be surrounded by the same two colours. That way, they won't distract from the image itself.
You probably haven't seen many Renaissance paintings that are surrounded by a minimalist frame. This is because it's natural to match styles and periods. This means a classical style of painting is probably displayed to best effect with traditional gold-leaf framing. Such is likely to cost you a little more if the item you want to frame is of that period.
A wooden shadowbox can give your painting depth. This type of framing works wonders with pastels and watercolours, as well as photos and prints. It may even add depth to an abstract painting. But if you created your abstract design on a drawing tablet, it will probably look great with a style that is more natural and minimal, reflecting its modernity.
Framing is an art and a craft in and of itself, so you are free to break any of these rules. Contemporary artists sometimes use more ornate frames to make a point or show contrast. The important thing is that you keep the item itself in mind when considering all the options. Also, consider the wall it will hang on. A gold-leaf frame around an oil painting would look great against a darker wall colour. By contrast, a slim line frame would be better for a brightly-lit, minimalist environment.
Remember that framing specialists have seen all kinds of works in all kinds of frames. They have a pretty good idea of what works well so don't be scared to trust their recommendations. You may even bring pictures of the space where you intend to hang the item. That will give the shop a better idea of what you're looking for.
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How Much Does it Cost to Frame a Photo?
Before we get into the meat of the matter, let's view some basic prices taken from different professional frames in Australia. For a simple synthetic black frame that is 3.5 cm wide, you can expect to pay around $25. For a classic gold frame with a bevelled edge of the same A4 size with an 8cm width, the price hovers around $50.
More elaborate frames like a wood shadowbox that's 2.1 cm wide won't be on sale for less than $80. An A4 stained walnut wood frame that's 6.5cm wide runs $140. An ornate gold-leafed frame, also A4, with an 8.7 cm wide border lists for $180. These prices are just a small example of the endless options you have when choosing the perfect accessories for your item. Prices may also vary from shop to shop and also online.
But it's not just the obvious part of framing an item that we need to take into account. Let's take a look at some of the different aspects that you'll need to consider when calculating the final amount you'll spend on framing your most recent project. And before we get into any special extras like moulding or gold leaf, let's consider each part of the process, and see how it can add to the pricing.
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Mats
When you look at a framed photograph and see a white border around it, or maybe multiple borders of different colours, what you actually have in view is called a mat. It might surprise you to know that there are heaps of options when it comes to mats, all affecting the final sale price.
You don't necessarily need a mat but it generally helps make your craft look as great as possible. This is especially true for works done on paper, those you might create as part of drawing classes Perth. You can choose to have a single or double mat, meaning you either have one border or two around your item. Having an extra mat can help draw the eye towards the image, but be careful. Too much of a mat may be a distraction.
The same goes for the mats' colours. Most people go with classic black or white, perhaps with gold trim. But framers usually offer many colour options. Selecting a colour beyond the standard stock could underscore your personal style.
Finally, we need to consider the mats' material. Mats are made of anything from paper to regular mat board, to cotton and even archival board, made to give the item high protection. Based on prices from Frameshop.com.au, an online shop that can customise frames, a simple white A4 mat board will add about $10 to the price. Having two of higher quality would be around $50.
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The mats you choose can make a big difference to the final style and final cost | Photo credit: Monstera from Pexels
Different Backing Styles
The backing is the board that covers the back of the frame. Most specialists use medium-density fibreboard (MDF) wood for this part. This is because it's relatively cheap, durable and easy to remove if you want to change the image.
However, other choices can create a more pleasing image view, as well as more protection. Foamcore is lightweight and very rigid. It comes in adhesive varieties, meaning the print can be directly stuck onto the board. For an A4-sized image, MDF costs around $5, while Foamcore comes to around $12.
The Type of Glass
You may be surprised to know that there are different qualities of glass that specialists use in their projects. And, maybe less surprisingly, the higher the quality, the more it will affect the whole job's pricing. Still, a glass cover is a good idea for all but oil paintings. So let's investigate a few options.
The basic choice is clear glass with no bells or whistles. While the advantage of this choice is that it's generally cheaper, it has some disadvantages. It's highly reflective, meaning you might just get a view of your own face instead of your print, depending on the lighting. It's also quite heavy, which may affect the pricing of shipping. Finally, it doesn't really offer any protection.
If you're worried about the sun damaging your image, you can choose UV Clear glass that blocks ultraviolet rays. There are also non-reflective types you can choose. You can even get a type that helps in both aspects. Like lenses for glasses, picture frame glass comes with anti-reflection, UV-protecting coatings.
Finally, there's Perspex or plexiglass. It's lightweight, usually just clear, can be UV resistant and doesn't reflect. That will substantially reduce your shipping costs if you plan to take delivery of your finished item. That aside, the type of glass you choose will have a pretty big impact on the final cost. The basic selection for a size A4 Perspex glass will only cost around $10, whereas choices like UV Non-Reflective glass can add around $45 onto the final amount.
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A more ornate frame could be a great choice for a very special piece | Photo credit: Jackie Hope- Unsplash Calculating the Total Sale Amount
As hinted at above, your framing costs will vary based on the range of materials and accessories you choose. If we want a basic black or white frame with limited protection, the sale price would be around $50. And that's a canvas frame cheap. Let's compare that to something a little higher quality, with a higher degree of protection.
An ornate gold frame costs roughly $180 and a museum-grade mat goes for $40. High-quality UV-protecting, non-reflective glass lists for $40. You'll want the non-adhesive Foamcore backing, which is $10. This would bring our total to $270. Clearly, these choices will have a huge effect on the final cost of framing your item. Also, all of the price estimates we've listed are for an A4 piece. The larger your work is, the more it will cost to frame it.
The Costs Involved in More Ornate Framing
Format, framing mode and whatever recommendations the professional framer makes will impact your final costs. The style and size of the canvas also matter. So far, we've mostly considered basic aspects like size, style and colour. But craft framers have a lot of tricks up their sleeves to add accessories and beauty to your final product.
Mouldings
Are you in a Baroque state of mind, wielding oil paints and dreaming of gold-leaf? Or have you created an Art Deco item one should view with a narrow, black, metal frame around it? A Baroque-style wooden frame with a white or black mount that bears a gold bevel would certainly cost more than a less ornate showcase. It would come in at around $150 for a 40 x 50cm item. And, the wider the mouldings, the more costly the final product.
You can easily estimate prices for framing your artwork online, at sites like Frames Now, but you may want to also speak to someone knowledgeable about the framing craft. One good reason to consult with a professional – as opposed to a website, is that they would be able to make solid recommendations. They may put forth ideas you'd not yet considered or that you didn't even know were possible. They may even throw in a mat for free!
Indeed, as your every brush stroke carries value, so does the expertise of one who showcases art for a living. As an artist, you need to choose your brushes carefully. Just as a framer carefully selects the wood and tools they need to make your art stand out. To properly display your drawing, consult with an artisan who specialises in intricate design and art. Doing so may run you more than $200, but the effect on your drawing and painting would be priceless.
The Marie-Louise
You may recall from this earlier in the article that a Marie-Louise is a type of mounting used in framing, especially for portraits or perspective drawing. They were initially conceived as a way to keep charcoal, pastel and the different types of pencils off of the frame's protective cover. Today these mounts serve as an additional aesthetic element to the overall effect of the artwork.
Imagine Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party without such a mount. Such scandalous representation would simply not be possible! Even if for a still life drawing, a mount between a drawing and its protective cover would increase its overall value. Marie-Louises also vary in pricing: the thicker the mounting, the higher the cost.
The Passe-Partout
We mentioned before that mats can also vary in style and one of the most popular is the Passe-Partout. This mat's profile is clean-cut and regular, with fine detail. That is why this beveled mount is usually custom-made to specific dimensions that complement your art, whether you draw animals or people.
It is important to not confuse the two types of mountings. This mount's bevelled edge adds mystique and distinction to whatever depiction it surrounds. Even a graphite pencil rendering of a rain-soaked forest or a realistic drawing of the human face is better displayed through a passe-partout. And the good news is that, should you plan a series of portrait paintings, you can order such mountings in bulk, for a lower cost.
Conclusion: Canvas Stretching Sydney
While researching this article, Google informed us that the top search term for this topic was 'canvas stretching Sydney'. Clearly, then, that's something people want to know about. But we don't know if their 'canvas stretching Sydney' searches were meant to find a business that stretches canvases. Or did Google simply append Sydney onto the 'canvas stretching' search because a lot of people in that city wanted to know about canvas stretching?
Google's algorithms remain a mystery to us all but Superprof can certainly provide an answer to 'canvas stretching Sydney' searches. Let's start with those inquirers who might want to enrol in a workshop to learn how to stretch their own canvases. They could hardly do better than Classbento workshops.
This startup got its start when one of the founders' grandmothers was struggling with dementia. As it was, he (and Classbento's other founder) worked in a high-pressure environment. It left them little time to pursue any outside activities, let alone those of a therapeutic nature. John had long wanted to get into woodworking and take calligraphy classes but his situation made it impossible. Besides, all the courses on offer were scheduled during standard work hours. And they were expensive, too!
So he and co-founder Iain got busy with their own business. Today, Classbento offers an array of artistic and creative courses, including canvas stretching. They schedule their workshops outside of normal working hours so their lessons won't compete with your earning power. And they keep their fees low so you don't have to spend loads of money learning something your heart cries out for you to do. Best of all, Classbento regularly donates a portion of their low course fees to Dementia Australia.
That is such a great initiative and a fantastic community-building model. But it wasn't the first hit our 'canvas stretching Sydney' search came up with, not by far. Most of the hits were commercial in nature. That makes a lot of sense because a busy artist won't necessarily have time to stretch their own canvases. And they won't have to have all the canvas-stretching tools and priming solutions laying around their studio. In that case, outsourcing is probably the best way to go.
If you must rely on a commercial outlet to get your canvases ready to meet your paintbrushes, choose your vendor carefully. Price isn't always the best indicator of quality. Sadly, in these times of fake online reviews, neither are customer testimonials. So how can you know that you've landed on the best 'canvas stretching Sydney' vendor?
Match your Google search results with artist community testimonials. Let other painters in your area share their experiences with a canvas stretcher before you decide where to turn. If you're still in school, you might ask your teacher, department head and even fellow students. Granted, your courses should include canvas stretching and priming. But if you're in a rush to complete your portfolio or project work, it might not hurt to simply pick up prepped canvases - as long as it won't count against your grade.
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