Then it s just a matter of cutting the bristol board to fit the frame.
Step by step how to make matting for art.
If you d like your mat to have a little luster or shine brush on a coat of decoupage gloss finish to the mat before framing.
As you re going to be using your mat board to display your artwork you don t want it to get covered in dirt and grime.
There is a really easy way to cut your own mats without expensive mat cutter tools.
Here we will cut our mat to fit a frame and use photo corners to mount the image.
You ll also be using your art to make proper measurements so it s extra important to have a clean work space.
Make sure the inside of the glazing glass of your frame is clean.
Allow several hours for the paint to completely dry before matting an image and placing it into a frame.
A larger piece of art of 18 x 24 inches may need a larger width mat giving 6 inches of margin to look balanced.
All it takes is a few supplies some art or a photo to frame and you ll be creating your own decor in no time.
Then place your matting art and mount board assembly into your frame and secure the backing.
Make a final check to see that everything is how you like it.
But you don t necessarily have to spend a fortune on art.
By adding a 2 5 wide mat to a piece of framed art the finished size changes from 32 x 19 to 36 x 23.
Wipe the space down with a damp cloth and then completely dry it.
For larger spaces creating a wall gallery or using a thick mat is a way to make your artwork take up more space.
Take a look at your handsome finished product.
A smaller painting of 3 x 5 inches needs a couple of inches of margin to look balanced.
Matting your artwork with a hinged window is the most basic form of presentation.
Here s how to cut your own picture mats.
Don t use a smaller width mat on smaller paintings unless you are trying to produce a thin margin effect.
Then instead of cutting any additional hole for the art piece to sit behind i just use double sided tape to stick down my art piece right onto the bristol board itself centered obviously.
If you are going to be framing your matted picture buy the frame first.
Framing photos and art is one of the most common projects i do.
All of my favorite art comes either from artist friends or from flea markets and thrift stores.
Step 4 apply a second coat of paint to the mat to give it a more saturated look.
A lot of people are intimidated by art because it can be so expensive.
You can display the matted work either with or without a or frame.
The brightness of the art along with the thick white mat makes the space look larger.
Choose a clean space for matting.