Angela Fehr Watercolor Artist - Florals and Landscapes

Choosing the Perfect Mat Board for your Watercolor Painting

Like a diamond in the perfect setting, the right frame and matting can showcase artwork, as well as coordinate with its environment, whether in home or office.

Many artists choose to mat work for sale in white or cream, determining that these colors will make the artwork appropriate for any decor. I have found, however, that art buyers generally purchase paintings that predominate in their preferred hues, and if I choose matting that corresponds with the colors in my painting, it actively works with the art, compared to the passive neutrality of a white mat & unobtrusive frame.

I use the same palette of colors for most of my paintings, and often what works for matting one painting, works well for others. I prefer the added depth found in double matting, with the top color of a lighter value than the bottom.

Frame shops carry corner samples of mat board colors and can advise you on complementary framing. However, it helps to come in with an idea of color preference, and the color scheme of the room the art will hang in.

Some color ideas when choosing a mat:

Dark/Light Contrast: Choose a jewel-like hue found in the painting for the bottom, and a white or cream for the top mat. The bottom mat will only show 1/4" around the painting and so adds brilliance without overpowering the artwork.

Monochromatic: Choose a predominant color in the painting and use a darker value of the color as the base mat, with a lighter value as the top mat - or reverse it!

Primary/Secondary Combination: Choose a primary color and its secondary, i.e. green & yellow, or red & orange.

Dramatic Neutrals: Rather than a boring cream or white, satisfy your darker side with black & granite mats, or chocolate and sand. Or pair a dark neutral with a current trend, like an earthy green or pumpkin orange.

Other matting techniques:

V-Groove - a v-shaped cut along the surface of the top mat, which reveals the white (or black) core of the mat board. V-grooves can be cut in different shapes for a dramatic look.
For the lover of luxury, specialty mat board is available from many manufacturers and includes textured or embossed varieties, metallic, or suede-finish for sumptuous style.
Fillet - a fillet is a molding, usually matching the frame in material and finish, that is mounted between the mats. Fillets should never touch the painting, as the acid in wood will damage the paper.
Floating - rather than mounting the painting behind the mat board, the painting is mounted on the mat and the edges of the paper are thus visible. A painting should never touch the glass, and so spacers are required to allow space for the art to breathe.

Selecting a Frame for Your Watercolor Painting

Once you've chosen your mat, you can pick the perfect frame. Choose a frame that complements your style. Metal frames emulate the clean lines of modern decor, while wood's warmth and versatility result in frames that can suit any environment.

Metal Frames: Come in many thicknesses and profiles (edge shapes), finishes and colors. I have found that metal frames can suit almost every watercolor painting, and the price is usually lower than for wood.

Wood Frames: You cannot match wood when it comes to warmth. Again, there is a vast array of styles and finishes out there. The varieties of wood will influence the finished product as well. For example, the grain of oak is very visible whether stained or unfinished, while maple would have a subtler look. Frame moldings range from simple and unadorned, to heavily carved and Victorian. A current trend I really love is the painted and antiqued frames, with sanded edges and a bit of crackle finish.

The size of your frame should be proportional to the painting you are framing. A small painting can be overpowered by a wide, bold frame, and wood moldings in the narrower range do not have the strength that their metal counterparts boast, making narrow wood moldings unsafe for large paintings.

You are the best judge of the right frame for your art, as you know the space you will be placing it in. Try to find a frame that complements both the painting and the room it will hang in.

Watercolor Painting Gallery:
● flower paintings
● landscape paintings