Frame watercolor without glass

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GUMBY GCF

GUMBY GCF

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
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Rest In Peace

Gone but not forgotten
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She should change the title to "How to turn a nice watercolor into a joke"
 
Not having seen the video, I am wondering if she is simply adhering a watercolor, or planning it to be mounted this way and having some sort of protective medium applied over. If this is the effect and presentation the artist desires, I say "why not?" But, as I have seen elsewhere, I suspect it is another "and you don't have to buy a frame!" idea.

I guess the only true test of this would be: If this method cost more than traditional framing, would you still be doing it?
 
What happens if someone pokes it with a sharp stick? :icon11: You can repair canvas. Paper not so easy once the surface is torn.
Silly silly silly. :nuts:

A neighbor once brought me a laminated print which he had torn a bit out of. How did he do it? He taped the end of some Christmas streamers to the front of it. :icon9: There is no accounting for the daft things people are want to do.

Another lady brought in a very nice old photo portrait. If was in perfect condition which is unusual. That is apart from a brown ring right in the middle of the face.
It had been stored away for about 80 years. She got it out to bring in for framing and someone stood a cup of tea on it. :help:
 
Turning a nice watercolor into a "photo cube" is just dumb. Cross-media ideas don't work. Would you turn a Monet into a floor mat? Would you slice a sculpture in half just to hang it on a wall?

Hey: let's print on canvas and make a shirt!!
 
tedh said:
Turning a nice watercolor into a "photo cube" is just dumb. Cross-media ideas don't work. Would you turn a Monet into a floor mat? Would you slice a sculpture in half just to hang it on a wall?

Hey: let's print on canvas and make a shirt!!
Click to expand...

If an artist is doing this type of work, I seriously doubt that any losses due to the technical aspects of this mounting method will be a shattering blow to our cultural heritage.
 
I know of a water colorist that frames no longer uses glass on his work, I have no idea what he coats them with, but he as stated that he is able to sell more work without glass than he could with.

I find it highly ironic that some water colorist are now presenting their work without glazing while many museums are now putting glazing on their oil paintings.
 
I have a watercolor artist that coats his pieces with wax. Frames them with no mat, no glass. He too, is selling more of these pieces than those that are matted, glassed and framed. Personally, I love the look of these pieces and own several.
 
Of course any of these are fine for the artist to do, but we framers should never attempt anyone this on a customers work, unless working directly with the artist under their direct instructions.

The wax seems like an interesting idea. I would be interested in seeing photos.
 
josephforthill said:
If this is the effect and presentation the artist desires, I say "why not?"
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I would agree that all possible display options are within the artist's prerogative. However, the description of the process on the web site includes the word "protect", which is wrong and misleading.

But, as I have seen elsewhere, I suspect it is another "and you don't have to buy a frame!" idea.
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As framers, we may find ideas to avoid framing to be disturbing, but others do not necessarily appreciate framing as we do. Again, artist's prerogative previals, so long as it is honest, fair, and well-informed.
 
mik said:
I have a watercolor artist that coats his pieces with wax. Frames them with no mat, no glass. He too, is selling more of these pieces than those that are matted, glassed and framed. Personally, I love the look of these pieces and own several.
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A lot of people don't like glazing, and if the wax holds up sufficiently, then, for the artist, why not. It can maybe help them meet the price point that is required for them to sell.

I see a lot of small images in stores / galleries/ that are float mounted with acrylic, and if he can do this with "waxed" watercolors and no mats or glazing, I can see the price savings for the artist. Not true conservation, but...

I would be interested to find out more about the wax he uses..
 
mik said:
I have a watercolor artist that coats his pieces with wax. Frames them with no mat, no glass. He too, is selling more of these pieces than those that are matted, glassed and framed. Personally, I love the look of these pieces and own several.
Click to expand...

Will talk to artist and get the name of the wax he uses and permission to post a picture or two.

 
Framing watercolours without glass

A local artist worked out a system with the previous owner of the business, and we have improved it a bit. The artwork is trimmed a little larger than the image, and fastened to a laminated backer of acid-free foamboard glued to 1/4" plywood. He uses heavy weight paper so I pack around the work with paper scraps to level it. Then we glue a mat down on top. The package can then be framed in a front-loading frame, which he likes - does all his pieces the same way for consistency. The artist then sprays the artwork and mat for protection - not sure what he uses. He likes this system because he prefers to show his work without glass, it involves no glass when shipping to galleries or customers, and the plywood backer is screwed to the frame, so the work is less likely to pop out if mishandled. He intended also to be able to reuse the frame , or to reuse the package by ripping off the mat (no alternative), and lifting the artwork off the backer to be replaced with another piece. In fact, he rarely does that. Here is an image of a framed piece, and a closeup of the package:

DSC_2552.jpgwatercolour panel sandwich.jpg
 
mik said:
I have a watercolor artist that coats his pieces with wax. Frames them with no mat, no glass. He too, is selling more of these pieces than those that are matted, glassed and framed. Personally, I love the look of these pieces and own several.
Click to expand...

Talked to the artist. He uses [h=1]Gamblin Cold Wax Medium

He says that he will mount the watercolor paper to a backing board before he starts to paint. When done he applies the was to the watercolor. Then we frame it up and he sells it.

He says that if you want to add to the finished piece, you have to use oils as watercolors won't stick. As for permanency, he tells the story of the lost the front license plate of his car: photoshoped a replacement, printed on an ink jet printer, covered with the wax and mounted it to his car. Last over 5 years. [/h]
 
mik said:
Talked to the artist. He uses [h=1]Gamblin Cold Wax Medium

He says that he will mount the watercolor paper to a backing board before he starts to paint. When done he applies the was to the watercolor. Then we frame it up and he sells it.

He says that if you want to add to the finished piece, you have to use oils as watercolors won't stick. As for permanency, he tells the story of the lost the front license plate of his car: photoshoped a replacement, printed on an ink jet printer, covered with the wax and mounted it to his car. Last over 5 years. [/h]
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Thanks Mary Ann

And now I know how to drive around with a license plate; just take a photo from another car just like mine, ... if I can find one that old.
 
Mik, does he use the wax for aesthetic reasons like encaustic art or just as a substitute for glazing?
 
mik said:
I have a watercolor artist that coats his pieces with wax. Frames them with no mat, no glass. He too, is selling more of these pieces than those that are matted, glassed and framed. Personally, I love the look of these pieces and own several.
Click to expand...

Hi, I have a frame shop on the West coast and this process is making its way into the artists' community here. Can you tell me more about the wax process, or put me in touch with your artist for a better description?

Thanks, Richard
 
My opinion - as David says....

typical cheap artists who don't care how long their art lasts. they are the artist, so they can do what they want. Most artists don't create anything worth worrying about anyway. If they don't care why should I? However, if I deem an artist worth buying and the work is on paper, it goes under glass - anti-reflective. I can see where the trend comes from. I believe it is born from jealousy of the plein-air oil painters using stackable panels.

With AR glass these days, artists have much Less resistance to works on paper. But, again money trumps all concern for longevity. No glass, no frames. Why bother with mounting on panels? Just thumb tack it to walls. Oh, yeah....they do.

I'm just a framer and most artists don't like framers anyway so, sling away.
 
I have to change my ways....be more sensitive. I love artists. Well, most of them anyway. Think how boring this world would be without them.

Ahhhhhh....that's better Less.
 
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