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What do you do with your edges?
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Message
Posted
I would be interested in your opinions about the best way to handle the edges of the wider edge canvases. Paint the design right around the edge? (Not really my favourite). Leave them white? (Looks a bit unfinished to me). Or choose a colour from the painting for the edges? If the latter and there isn't an especially dominant colour would you choose one of the lighter ones or a darker one?
Posted
Sandra I have used box frames for a number of years now and have tried different colour edging. Put them next to the ones I have taken the trouble over to paint round all the edges, they do not cut the mustard. I have always been satisfied with the result in taking the trouble to paint round the edges, they always look the proper finished job. I do it in the early part of the painting just get that tone of blue or whatever colour over the edge along with the rest of the colours in the composition. It really is worth the effort at the end of the day. It does not have to be in detail just the sound underpainting part. I might well give a little more attention to the left and right sides as I progress through the painting. Unless of course you are going to have the painting framed. Presentation is the cutting edge of any piece of art. Thats what I have found in my experience.
Posted
To be frank - well, why not? - I loathe paintings which go over the edges, and would never, ever, do it. I'm not very keen on 'gallery' or box canvases either: I like frames, which of course obviates this issue entirely. If I used the type of canvas which 'doesn't need a frame', and in my opinion they all do, I'd leave the edges blank and not tidy them up at all. A painting is the surface which presents itself to the viewer - I do not wish to crawl around the sides to see more of it, and frankly I think it's the absolutely assured mark of the populist artist whose work is designed to fit into the décor - I don't want any painting of mine to fit in with the soft furnishings: if it doesn't, well chuck your ghastly beige cushions out....
I grant this is intolerant, but there it is.
Posted
Thank-you to those who have made further suggestions. Where there is a dominant colour, or a mainly green landscape or blue seascape, it is easier to decide. The issue is with those paintings that don't neatly fit this model, and I can see this happening with some of the abstracts I am planning. Because I don't actively try to sell my work I haven't framed any. I don't try to paint round the sides though - I think landscapeart is Pat? One reason being that in the past some of my paintings change entirely while I am working on them, or if I am dissatisfied with a painting I may just white it out and recycle the canvas, which would make it a bit awkward. For the same reason I leave painting the edges (when I do paint them) until the painting is finished, just in case.