Thread: Picture framing question

My father (does a lot of oil paintings) never covers them.

I'd say the norm is to leave them uncovered - you loose a lot of the impact of the texture having them behind glass, and they require less protection than say a watercolour.

Like Stuart said. My Dad is a long time landscape artist in oils and never puts glass over them. All it does is add glare and takes away from the texture.

Leave them uncovered, Have a look at the local art Gallery & I think you will find them all uncovered.
There is special anti glare glass made for paintings that protects the picture from sunlight and is not much more expensive if you do decide to put glass in
Otherwise don't hang them in direct sunlight


Rgds

Thanks for the replies guys. They won't be near any windows so looks like uncovered it is then.

Reg

Hi. I'm a working artist. Oils are never covered, but are often protected by (non yellowing) varnish, applied about six months after the painting is completed, to allow for the drying of the paint.

They can be cleaned by wiping with a soft, damp (not wet) cloth.

Often, these days, stretched canvases are not even framed, but the edges are painted and varnished to match the front.

Could I add to all the good advice above that traditonally oil paintings are framed without a mat.

I do a bit of framing and I have never glassed an oil painting. If you are going to frame them, use a "linen slip". It is a normal moulding covered with a fabric that gives a subtle area between the painting and the frame. Then your moulding of choice goes around that moulding. It is designed to focus the viewer onto the painting rather than the frame. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Wizened of Oz

Could I add to all the good advice above that traditonally oil paintings are framed without a mat.

That was my next question although I thought that was what goes on.

Thanks all for the replies.