The market for new talent around the world is exploding. The prevalence of the Etsy marketplace has made it simple for new artists to start selling their work without having to worry about gallery space, art festivals, or any other costly platform.
A wealth of art styles and pricing to match any budget results from this. You may easily locate bespoke wall art online, even on Amazon. Handmade by Amazon is a collection of one-of-a-kind pieces designed and made exclusively for Amazon users.
Charcoal is a popular medium among novice artists, who are urged to do so by art schools and online course tutors. The appeal of charcoal is that it can be moulded with the touch of a finger to produce mixtures, edges, soft lines, hard lines, and blurred edges.
Charcoal has the ability to do much more than other media or even a top-of-the-line camera and sophisticated editing software can accomplish. There are numerous charcoal sketches accessible, each from a distinct perspective.
Framing a charcoal drawing is problematic because the paper can absorb moisture and expand, which can damage the frame and the artwork. It is essential to use an acid-free or neutral pH mat board and mount the drawing on an archival backing board using removable adhesive tape.
The amount of time it takes for drawings to yellow depends on the level of humidity in the air. If you live in a humid climate (probably not if you're in the UK), your drawings may yellow within months. In contrast, if you live in a drier climate, it may take years for this to happen.
Artists are strong in creative expression using whatever tool they choose to convey their ideas to paper. Many people struggle with the framing aspect. The art and framing industries are two separate businesses. Professionals that have made a name for themselves will rarely handle the framing process themselves.
Some will, but most will use a professional custom framer to have their designs framed in such a way that adds value to the piece rather than detracts. For this reason, even if your charcoal art comes with a frame, you may dramatically improve its appearance by reframing it.
Fixatives
Ideally, contact the artist before purchasing so you can be sure that you're getting a fixative of high-quality. Not all fixatives are created equal; if one is used, it should be lower in odour, smudge resistance, water resistance, and lack the potential to yellow. Fixatives can cause yellowing over time.
Reach out to the artist and inquire about the fixative they used to secure the charcoal to the paper. Many will spray a fixative over it once it's finished, while others won't and leave it to their client to take care of. You'll need to know what you're getting into since preventing paper ageing (yellowing) is part of the framing, but if there's a coating on the art itself, no amount of fixative on your artwork will help you avoid yellowing.
Attaching the drawing to a mount board
A mount board is a thick, firm sheet of paper or card used to support your artwork. You can use double-sided tape to attach your drawing to the mount board.
Attaching the drawing to the mount board isn't done in the same way as a photograph is. Although you don't have the option (or shouldn't, but can if you want) to utilize a permanent mounting solution like dry mounting, you do have one option: attaching it with tape like mentioned above.
The best way to keep the drawing from moving is to use T-hinges, V-hinges, or acid-free photo corners attached to the backing board rather than the mount board. You'll reduce movement and dust by connecting the drawing to the backing board with hinging or photo corners.
Bevel Cut Mount Boards
If you use a bevel-cut mount board, the edge of the paper will be visible. This can be used to your advantage as it adds another design element to your artwork.
The main benefit of using a bevel-cut mount board is that it provides a way to frame your artwork without covering any part of it. This means that you'll have an uninterrupted view of the entire drawing, which can create a more powerful impact.
Bevel cut mount boards come in different shapes and sizes, so you'll need to determine which size and shape will work best for your artwork. You should also consider the colour of the mount board as this will affect how your charcoal drawing is perceived.
As you can see, there's a lot to consider when it comes to framing charcoal drawings. But don't let that overwhelm you; take your time, do your research, and find a framing style that you love. And, most importantly, enjoy your artwork! If you feel like you still are unsure, feel free to give us a call and we will provide you with some expert advice.
At Easyframe we are in the business of providing picture frames to capture your mood and presenting them in a way that can be enjoyed. We have many years of experience and provide advice on the best type of frames for your artwork
You can contact EasyFrame on 01234 856 501 or sales@easyframe.co.uk and they'll always chat even if you don't want to buy!
Article Posted: 04/08/2022 12:22:51