Framing drawings and watercolors - anyone DIY advice?
 

Over the years I've collected many watercolors and drawings. I'd like to start framing and am well aware of the cost. :oops: Couldn't help buying these wonderful pieces.

Anyone have experience in framing DIY?

Or at last resort...anyone recommend a place to take them for framing?

What are the sizes
Yes custom framing can we get very expensive
Have you tried Hobby lobby, or Michaels on their frames, they have them on sale all the time BOGO or 50% off

I don't know if they do custom framing of your own items, but Art.com sells thousands (or millions) of artwork items where you can select the frame you want and they will frame it and send it to you. Their prices are less than half of what you would pay a local frame shop.

IMHO, I would measure all of the artwork, then as mentioned above look for slightly larger frames that you like, and buy the frames and suitable matting for around the artwork and suitable backing to fit the frame. An Exacto (?) or box cutter knife will work well for trimming the matting. You may need the small triangular tabs to hold everything into the frame. Custom frames are relatively expensive.

Estate sales, resale/thrift stores-buy framed things and replace bad art with your items. Mats can make up the difference.

Thanks everyone, these are great suggestions!

I love looking through thrift stores. Can you recommend any in the area?

Thanks!

Ye old thrift shoppe, lady lake
Bargains & blessings, wildwood
Do a Google search for thrift stores

Can anyone recommend an art class where I can paint a picture of an existing photo?

I don’t want one of those classes where you paint a picture of a bowl of fruit or beach scenes.

Thanks,
Lanie

IMHO there is a world of difference between custom framing and DIY. If the pieces of art are important to you, you won’t regret having them custom framed. Maybe pick the pieces most important to you and have them custom framed and do others yourself. Michaels is a good source either way.

I have taken my artwork to this place in Leesburg. It's a small business and they are very helpful.
DK Art Supplies and Custom Framing
9816 US 441
Leesburg Florida

352 326 9555

If your art pieces are standard sizes...8x10, 9x12, 11x14, 16x20, 18x24 you'll be in luck for finding frames at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, thrift stores, etc. The oddball sizes will be tough but you might be able to do it with a standard size mat. If not, then DK in Leesburg is the place to go for custom framing but it's not cheap.

Thrift stores for framed art
 

The two Goodwill stores near the Villages (Oxford on 466 and Lady Lake on 441) both typically have a good selection of framed art/canvases...

Another vote for Dk's, across from Chik-fil-A in Leesburg. If it's a nice piece of art, it's worth a pro framing job.

I have about fifty paintings on my walls, many over a century old. I’ve cut my own mattes a number of times. (The photo below shows what I use.) However, I don’t always do that.
1. I paid to have anti-UV film applied to all my windows to protect the art, keeping it from fading.
2. For valuable watercolors I use Museum Glass, which is anti-UV and anti-glare. This is startlingly expensive. When I need it, I generally buy glass and matte and frame in a discounted package, custom made, at Michael’s. (I haven’t done this in five or six years, as I’m not buying art these days, usually.) Ask and they’ll often give you a deep discount, like 50% for the package. Cheaper than just the glass. Just buy one of the plain, simple frames. Then I mount the art in the matte myself.
2. Oil paintings that arrive without frames I often hang as is.
3. Some paintings are a size that fit frames and mattes available off the shelf at Michael’s. If that’s possible, it’s usually the cheapest option.
4. Some oils I frame, sometimes with inexpensive frames and sometimes with rather good ones. I used to buy these at Michael’s, but I’ve been very pleased with purchases on eBay or Amazon. There are companies that offer many size and frame and matte options. I’ve never had a problem with these.
5. Sometimes I cut my own mattes. I’ve done it with the kit below for about twenty years. I have bought matte board at Michael’s. However, when preparing a number of old watercolors, I bought a box of ten large sheets of ArtCare Microchamber Archival Matting. Expensive, but where the mattes at Michael’s have acid in the cardboard that can discolor paintings over the years, this stuff releases alkaline stuff that prevents acid discoloring. That’s all I use for matting now. All a creamy color. If I want a colored matte, I but a layer of the expensive stuff between it and the painting.

I use picture frames.com. You can enter the size and then see options for frames of all types, with and without mats. Single double triple mats all can be ordered with the frame. I haven’t used them in a while, but they used to answer specific questions by email. A lot cheaper than a custom framer doing the work but you get everything you need including backing and hangars and even choices on types of glass!

If they are still there, Marion County Flea Market. There is a very good booth that does exceptional matting and frames. Very large on one of the corner spots.

Framing
 

I did framing and matting for a number of years. Have all the equipment for sale. Let me know

Some drawings like charcoal smudge and may need a professional framing. Art stores may be better for this. Hobby lobby is reasonable and gives you many choices. Michaels is good but pricier.

I always buy a watercolor from a local street artist during my travels. I think the best way to make your collection cohesive is to frame them all in the same frame color/style (black or white thin wood frame with white mat for example). Sometimes a piece is not a standard US frame size, I just size up and use the mat to compensate for the difference. Amazon sells European sized frames as well which has been helpful for A4 paper, etc. My favorite frame source for quality for the price is IKEA.

I love my frames as much as my art. I have original Koa wood (for its grain) framing cut with linen mat. All my frames are selected to display the art to its best, not as part of a collection for a wall, but still there is a theme that I follow for each room. However, my FIL who was a well known artist, used to cut his own frames. Always black with a soft cream mat.

Wow, this is great information! Thanks to everyone who posted!

I wait for coupons in mail or newspaper from Michael's take artwork to any Michael's craft store. they will help you select proper mat and choose from 100 frames "made to fit"