Choosing a mat is one of the more intimidating aspect of framing for some of our clients. So many choices! What is the best? How do we know what “works” and what doesn’t? Will I still love that neon pink mat in 5 years? (Hint— yes, if it’s perfect with the art!)
One of the most common requests we get is to update older framing, and that often means a change of matting. In this case, the blue-grey double mat (L) had a heavy effect on this whimsical Picasso line drawing. The refreshed look (R) features a cream mat in a shade slightly lighter than the paper color to give a fresher feeling, allowing the image to breathe a bit more.
Before (L) and after (R) matting on a Picasso lithograph.
Color choice has a big impact on the mood and aesthetics of your framing. We often pull colors from the artwork or object to use for a mat selection. The license plate below shows how the choice of light blue or deep red sets off the object in unique ways.
A light blue mat color gives a fresh, airy feeling in this version.
Deep red matting adds drama and contrast in version #2.
Other matting options include double-matting, thick bevels and higher contrast choices. This black and white photo seemed a little lost with a white mat alone, so one option is to add depth around the image to create more focus. A medium grey was selected to keep a quiet feeling, adding a soft transition between the frame and the image.
In an alternate design, charcoal grey matting creates a stronger contrast around the image, but still draws from the tones in the photo. It’s important not to overpower the artwork with contrast and color choices, so in this case we would not recommend black matting as there are no true blacks in the art.
Neutral matting choices are often an elegant solution. This lovely block print of tree frogs benefits from a warm grey mat border, easing the transition into the soft green frame. The strongest contrast is in the art itself, which draws the eye to the subject in a proper balance of elements.
That said, sometimes the artwork demands a strong color! Acid yellow matting works great with this psychedelic print and a wavy red frame. All the elements are in balance and say “look at me!” — just what the customer wanted! We’re here to help you find the best solution for your art and your taste—so let’s have some fun with matting!
