The right frame can highlight a work of art, give it depth and help it blend harmoniously into the space. But in practice, we often see people making some very common mistakes when choosing a frame for a painting or print. In the EVIART Frames framing workshop, we often see situations where a good work of art loses its power simply because of an unsuitable frame.
Here are the 7 most common mistakes people make when choosing a frame for an artwork.
This is the most common mistake. People often say: “I need a frame that matches the colour of the sofa, door or wall.”
But professional framing is based on a different principle - the frame is first chosen for the artwork. The interior may change, but the artwork remains.The frame must be in harmony with the work:
Tonality, composition, character and artistic style. Only then can you think about how it will fit into the space.
Sometimes the frame becomes so expressive that it starts to compete with the artwork itself. This is especially the case if the frame chosen is too wide, has a lot of ornamentation, or has a very glossy or contrasting surface. A good frame helps the artwork to stand out rather than dominate it.
Larger paintings or strong works of art also need a suitable frame. If the frame you choose is too narrow, visually light and without depth, the work may look unfinished or even “disappear” when displayed in the room. In these situations, a deeper or more solid frame profile often helps, giving the work stability.
The colour of the frame has a significant impact on how we perceive a work of art. If chosen incorrectly, it can drown out the colours of the work, create too sharp a contrast and upset the compositional balance. Sometimes neutral tones work best - black, warm wood, dark brown or soft grey - but in other cases it is a subtly chosen tonal nuance that can make a work much stronger.
The frame is not just the colour or width - the shape of the profile is also very important. The frame profile can be: straight and minimal, with a slight slope, with a pronounced forward or backward curve, deep and three-dimensional. The shape of the profile influences how the viewer perceives the artwork. Sometimes it is the right curvature of the profile that creates an elegant transition between the work and the space.
Cheap frames may look acceptable at first, but they often cause problems in the long term.
Poor-quality materials can warp, lose colour and damage the artwork. If the artwork is important to you, a quality frame is a long-term investment in its preservation.
Photos on the internet or catalogue images are often misleading. The frame should be considered together with the artwork itself, because only then can you see how it interacts with the colours, how it affects the composition, whether it adds depth to the work. This is why professional framing studios usually offer several frame profiles to fit the work.
And finally, a good frame highlights the artwork! A frame is like a bridge between the artwork and the space. It helps the work take its place in the interior and protects it at the same time. At EVIART Frames, we look for an individual solution for each work - because even a small change in the frame can completely change the way a work of art is perceived. The right frame doesn't just enclose the artwork - it helps it become great!
