When the print or painting itself is intended
as a decorative item - fashion often dictates the frame. It is perilous
in this instance to buy a finished item without checking its intended placement.
All sorts of factors such as lighting, wall color, furniture etc. can have
their unforseen effects. In this section I shall concentrate on those principles
of framing that confine themselves to the picture and the frame. The principles
of modern framing are the same as principles of the past but often with
more of a bold fashion statement.
Floating a painting: This
is the relatively modern approach of physically separating the painting
or print from the frame and/or the wall by the use of neutral or semi-neutral
barriers such as mounts, slips or other such devices. The general rule
here is to continually vary the widths of the divices and the distances
between them.

Texture echos: ( also
above)This is the repetition of a texture from painting to mount or frame.

Hue echo or tonal framing:
(above) This is the name I give the practice of balancing hue values between
painting, mounts, slips and frame.
Borders, lines and bevels: a
strong border or dark line is not always mecessary as the example below
demonstrates.

Size of frame & minimalisim:
sometimes the simplest is the most effective. Here the print as
well as the frame combine to give a three dimensional feel.
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