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Collectors: You've purchased an unframed original watercolor painting - now what?

Handle with care.

Most of my original watercolors are sold unframed, so the first thing a buyer needs to know is that works on paper are delicate and need to be handled with care - even the oils from your hands can damage the paper or paint (wash your hands or wear gloves).

I always ship my unframed paintings in a clear protective sleeve, so it's best to leave the artwork in there until you are ready to frame. 

Protect your painting.

Whether you are using a professional framer or are framing the painting yourself, ensure that all materials, including the mat board, backing, and adhesive, are archival and acid-free to prevent yellowing and degradation over time. 

Glazing.

"Glazing" refers to a protective layer of clear material that covers the artwork within a frame. It acts as a barrier to protect the art from dust, moisture, or physical damage. Two options are glass and plastic glazing (clear, acrylic sheet, similar in appearance to glass.) 

Both glass and acrylic glazing are available in standard, museum, UV, and non-glare. Contact your framer to help you choose. I've also included links at the bottom of this article with more information.

Note: Some artists use varnish or wax instead of glazing, which I will not discuss here. 

Why Plexiglass?

Galleries and museums worldwide have embraced plexiglass as a high quality material for exhibition and resale. Why? It protects artwork without distortion or the risk of shattering. Our acrylic plexiglass sheets are acid-free, lightweight, archival quality, and offered in five variations to fit your purpose, budget and style.  

Protecting Your Plexi-glass
Hands off that glass cleaner [emphasis mine]. Acrylic is plastic, and the ammonia in most cleaners can create a haze on it, obscuring your art. Instead, use a soft cloth and our acrylic cleaner or just plain water. ~American Frame

Pensive is framed behind acrylic glazing with a 3" wide 8-ply mat and a Gallery Black Wood frame.

Mat board and frame.
Glazing (acrylic or glass) should never touch the surface of a watercolor, which is where mat boards come in. Works on paper usually have a mat when they are framed, which provides a necessary air gap between the glass and the painting. 

There are many options for matting your artwork, but I will share what works for me. I prefer shades of white, not only because I like the way it looks - and many galleries/exhibitions require it - but I think that bright or dark colors can overpower a watercolor painting. I also think a 3 - 3½" mat always looks nice.

Sun-Kissed is "float framed" behind acrylic glazing with an 8-ply mat revealing the deckled edge of the watercolor paper. The frame is Natural Cherry.

"Floating" means that your artwork sits on top of the matting rather than being partially overlapped by the mat board (compare Sun-Kissed with Pensive). 

Another framing option that I like is a double mat - the above image shows a pure white 4-ply inside mat with a creamier 4-ply top mat. 

My little Backyard Cardinal is framed under glass with a 4-ply white matboard (black core) and a narrow matte black metal frame. (Currently on display at The Galleries at Heartland Art Club.)

Did I mention that works on paper are delicate?

Though I only use 100% cotton rag paper, the most light-fast pigments, and acid-free everything when I mat and frame my watercolors, they are still vulnerable to light, extreme temperatures, and humidity. 

• Avoid placing watercolors in areas that receive direct sunlight, as prolonged exposure can cause fading over time. UV protective glazing is always a good idea. 
• Avoid excessive heat. Keep artwork in a room with a consistent, moderate temperature. 
• Avoid humidity. Watercolor paintings can be vulnerable to moisture, which can cause mold, mildew, or warping of the paper. 

Not that anyone I know would ever do this, but please do not hang a painting over a stove (!) or in a bathroom that is frequently steamed up by hot showers.

Paint. Love. Repeat.

Links for further reading:

Read about Glass vs. Acrylic (Plexi-glass) Here and Here.

Enhancing Your Artwork  

Framing Hints