How To Choose A Mat Color For A Painting

Add a second coat if the original mat color is a dark shade.

How to choose a mat color for a painting.

I simply dismantled my frame and placed the mat on some plastic aka a target bag. The colored mat should be placed beneath the neutral mat and the windows of the two mats should be cut so only about inch of color is revealed image e below. If you are looking to create a modern gallery like grouping use a mat that is at least 3 inches wide. Seafoam blue was my accent color in the surrounding prints so i knew that was the color i wanted to use on the mat.

Generally the top mat will be darker on a dark work of art and lighter on a lighter work of art. With a piece that is dark you will want to go with a darker mat color for the top mat and vice versa. Purpose the first goal in designing for matting and framing is to satisfy the person you are framing for which means that if your customer wants the framed piece to blend well with existing room décor you must factor that into your design. If you mat with those background colors the artist s intended focal point will still draw the eye to it.

Double matting is one way of introducing a thin strip of color. If you choose this method the eye of the viewer will be drawn to the art. Learning how to mat artwork on your own will take some time and practice. The dominant color is green present in different shades on practically all the surface.

Purpose balance value temperature and theme. Usually it is better for the mat to avoid selecting the dominant color of the art. Allow 2 hours for the primer to dry completely. Darker color as the bottom mat reveal.

It ll be worth it though as it ll save you from cringing over the high costs of taking your art to be matted at frame shops. Then we found some third order colors. If the piece has a focal point and there are background colors you can help bring the eye to the focal point by choosing a mat color that goes with the background color. To make it easier consider five areas as you choose.

A very common way to choose a mat color for your portrait or piece of art is to choose one that will help bring out the dominant color of the piece. Since it was so simple i wanted to add a color to the mat. Blue maroon and brown. Determine the dominant color of the piece.

I then spray painted my mat giving it about 2 coats. Determine the secondary colors. Brush the primer over the entire mat but ensure that you don t over apply the primer as it can leave dried lumps of primer on your mat. Neutrals for matching decor.

Black cores create a well defined black outline and visually sets the photograph apart from the white mat. You can choose mats in a variety of colors sizes and materials to create the perfect mat board frame for your pieces. Many different whites. The secondary color is dark bluish gray found in the roof in the house front and on the road.

You might notice in the process. Often the accent mat the narrow inner edge will be another strong color in the art.