Frame Depth Question

[Julie Deane]

Hi -

I am new at the framing of oil paintings. I like JFM Enterprises for their prices and the fact that I can drive down and pick up what I like of their frames, since I don't live far away.

But - most of their frames do not have a deep rabbet. Can you use them anyway? I did this with a 24 x 36 that I know will be displayed on a wall where the sides will not normally be viewed. This particular frame has a 4-5 inch width, and it seems to me that one would have to come up to the picture and look around the sides to note that canvas is poking out a bit from the back.

But it bothers me. I would prefer that the entire canvas edge be concealed. So - is this an unprofessional approach? Should I be looking for other suppliers?

What do you folks who do large canvases on heavy duty stretchers do about frames?

[Chris Saper]

Ask the JFM folks if they offer a "back-up", which is what I believe the extra piece of molding is called. Even if your painting is on a slim panel, the back-up piece allow the frame to hang flush with the wall, which is a nicer look than the frames that hang at an angle.

All framers who build their own frames can offer this...in fact I just received two beautiful frames from Abend) and they will make a back-up for any of the frames they offer. Yes, it costs a little more, but it has an enormous aesthetic impact.

While you're there, visit the homepageThe people there are wonderful to work with.

[Julie Deane]

Thanks Chris-

I really needed to know this. Appreciate it!

[Tom Edgerton]

Julie--

The stretchers poking out in the back don't bother me much when I'm using a lightweight stretcher bar on the smaller pieces, as the framer always backs up the painting with kraft paper anyway.

But like you, when I go to a heavyweight stretcher, I usually get a 1-inch buildup applied in back, as Chris has described, and the canvas is completely contained then. It adds more illusion of "mass" too, to the frame when viewed from the front, which works nicely with the larger paintings.

Best--TE

[Julie Deane]

Thanks, Tom.

Originally Posted by Tom Edgerton

Julie--

The stretchers poking out in the back don't bother me much when I'm using a lightweight stretcher bar on the smaller pieces, as the framer always backs up the painting with kraft paper anyway.

But like you, when I go to a heavyweight stretcher, I usually get a 1-inch buildup applied in back, as Chris has described, and the canvas is completely contained then. It adds more illusion of "mass" too, to the frame when viewed from the front, which works nicely with the larger paintings.

Best--TE