How to frame a cold wax painting

To frame or not to frame? That is the question!

Did you have a crush (a ‘coup de coeur❤️’ as the French say so beautifully) on a painting and you bought it? And now you feel uncertain about how to proceed with the framing process?

Here are some general tips for hanging a painting on a wall:

If your painting has to be framed, do not use a frame that you don’t love, it would be such a pity to put your beautiful artwork in a cheap or ugly frame, it doesn’t deserve that!

Find the right location: Choose a location in your home that will showcase the painting and complement its style and colours. Make sure to consider lighting and avoid areas with direct sunlight or harsh artificial light, as this can damage the paint over time.

Handle your artwork with care, avoid touching the surface of the painting (no matter the technique used)

Measure the painting: Measure the painting's dimensions, including the height, width, and depth. This will help you determine the location for the nail or hook.

Use a level to ensure that the painting hangs straight.

Protect the wall: Place self-adhesive felt pads on the back of the painting's frame to prevent damage to the wall.

Consider the height: Hang the painting at a height that is comfortable for viewing. As a general rule, the center of the painting should be at eye level, which is typically around 57 inches from the floor.

Grouping paintings: When hanging multiple paintings, consider their placement as a group, not just as individual pieces. Leave some space between each piece, and aim for a visually balanced display.

An artwork on Arches Oil paper

These paintings have to be framed since they are created on paper.

Of course your local framer will know best how to frame these artworks and create a custom high quality frame for you but it might become (very) expensive.

You could also purchase a ready-made frame in a standard size and have your framer cut a custom mat to fit the artwork or you could frame the artwork yourself!

I have created a little FREE FRAMING GUIDE which will help you in making the right decisions and enable you to enjoy your new artwork for years to come! You can download the free guide by clicking the button below:

As always, don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions, I would love to connect! You can reach me at marinatvb@outlook.com