How To Frame Your Oil Painting By Yourself

This is the do it yourself guide ‘FRAME YOUR OIL PAINTING’ We highly recommend that if you have never framed a painting before. You may want to consider to first practice on regular wood before you attempt to frame your painting. Framing a painting is relatively easy and may also save you some money. We would also like to point out that just like many other things in life…sometimes it is better to pay a little and have your painting framed by professionals. Oil paintings are usually framed by using backless and glassless frames.

The first step is to choose a frame for your oil painting remember, you need to purchase a frame that will match the inside dimensions of your painting.

First, clean up your working area (flat surface recommended) and gather the following required supplies:

• Stretched Oil Painting;
• Frame profile ( each cut at 45degrees angle at the end);
• Staple gun;
• Right angle;
• Screwdiver;
• Brown masking tape (optional);
• Metal frame hangers or metal screws with rope or cable.

1. You will first need to connect the frame bars and create a frame. Use a right angle and make sure to create a 90 degrees angle between 2 frame bars, then place staples and connect the frame bars. Perform this step till you have created a frame (connect 2 frame bars to one another, then connect the 2 other frame bars to one another, and then connect the reaming 2 pieces).
2. You must perfectly connect each side of the frame, so that it is perfectly. Without any gaps.
3. Carefully place your painting into the frame from its back side.
4. Center your painting and double check this by viewing your frame and painting from the front side. Once centered, connect the frame to the frame of the stretched painting by placing several staples in the middle of each of the 4 sides.
5. We recommend that you use either a metal frame hanger, hooks or metal screws with rope or cable.
6. If you decide to use a metal frame hanger: gently screw this hanger in the middle of the top bar of the frame which was used to stretch the painting.
7. If you decide to use metal hooks and rope/cable, gently screw a hook on each side of the frame which was used to stretch the painting (about 1/3 of the way down). Now slide your rope/cable into the two hooks. Some people like to twist the rope several times around each hook, other make a knot on each side and some
   even screw the rope to the wooden frame with 2 additional screws.
8. For the perfect finish, use brown masking tape to cover the staples and screws on the back of the frame.
9. Hang your painting by using a nail/screw or a hanging cable from the ceiling.

Some things to keep in mind when choosing a frame:

Avoid chintzy-looking frames of poor quality. You don’t have to buy the most expensive frame, but don’t buy the cheapest thing either. No matter how beautifel the painting is, if the frame is made of filmsy plastic and looks like it might break if you look at it wrong, it’s going to cheap the overall look of the artwork. If you’re going to the trouble of framing a painting, choose something nice. You shouldn’t necessarily match the color of the frame exactly to the colors in the painting. Instead, choose a frame that complements the colors without overpowering them or blending in with them. The frame should showcase the art, not distract from it. Think about the setting where you plan to hang the art. A neutral looking frame will fit in pretty much anywhere, but you can also choose a frame to fit in your particular décor. Ornate gold frames look classy in a room with dark furniture and plush rugs. Bold black frames or frames in cool silvery tones will accent an uncluttered room with a sleek, contemporary style. Wood frames and frames in warm, earthy tones look good in a casual, homey setting. Think about colors of your walls, floors and furnishings.

• Think about the width of the frame in proportion to the painting. If a painting is huge and colorful, it can generally hold its own as a wall piece, and will probably look great in a simple strip frame. Respectively, a wider or ornate frame can give a small piece a more commanding presence.
• When in doubt, keep it simple and neutral. Metal frames in grey, gold or black and simple woorden frames always look elegant. And if you need a second opinion ask the people at your local frame shop for advice.