[Aquanet] advice requested --- the right white

[Gilles Durand]

Pat, Miriam,

 

You are so right Miriam! I also found out that moving from a white mat to a
warm off-white mat save the show, especially for paintings with a lot of
white. I am of the kind that always tries to settle on one mat color and one
frame design and color, to ensure a consistent look in my shows. I used
white mats for sometime, but after realizing they had a deadening effect on
some paintings, I stopped and followed my frame supplier's advice to switch
to ivory.  I also considered the color insert option, but it seemed less
effective in the case of my paintings. It also means adapting the color
insert to each painting, but that is also a way to conciliate consistency
and variety. Turning the back to white altogether is another option,
especially if a contemporary look is sought, but then ciao consistency!

 

N.B.: The watercolor paper I use is Fabriano Artistico. I always have a goal
to achieve a "light filled" look in my paintings (...) and I like to leave a
lot of untouched paper. So, when I found some Fabriano "extra white" paper a
few years ago, I jumped on it. What a disappointment! The results were bland
compared to what I get with their "traditional white" paper which is
actually a warm off-white. The paper I use may also be correlated with white
mats not faring well with my paintings.

One problem with white is that the distance between cool and warm is so
short one never expects such a dramatic difference on the effect it can have
on the painting as a whole!

 

Not sure this is of much help. Good luck anyhow!

 

Regards,

 

Gilles

  _____  

From: aquanet-bounces at thedigitalbraintrust.net
[mailto:aquanet-bounces at thedigitalbraintrust.net] On Behalf Of miriam
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2007 3:54 PM
To: pat davis; aquanet
Subject: Re: [Aquanet] advice requested --- the right white

 

I bulk order white mats in typical sizes which I keep on hand but at times
when I need a custom cropping or a custom "white"
I will go to my local framer and have him cut the mat for me.
It is amazing what the right  white will do for a painting. You may need a
cooler or warmer white than you have.. I find that the cost of this service
is offset by the saving of not keeping additional inventory of whites
around.

Sometimes as was suggested a white mat with a black core, a speckled or
textured white or something tending more towards beige helps dramatically.
Good luck!

PS The trick to picking out a good white is to turn the watercolor over and
match a white to the paper. But I am an idiot when it comes to framing so i
like to let the framer do it for me. Even if I plan on sticking the painting
into a ready made frame the custom mat really helps.

 

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----- Original Message ----
From: pat davis <peedee at nucleus.com>
To: aquanet <aquanet at thedigitalbraintrust.net>
Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2007 1:46:12 PM
Subject: [Aquanet] advice requested

Hi again, gang.

Now that I have recovered from Christmas overeating, I am seeking some 
advice from you. I have framed Elephant Rocks I  in Member Gallery Two 
in my usual way; that is, with a 2 1/2 inch white mat. Unfortunately, 
with the white mat, the painting totally dies at the edges, so I am 
convinced it needs something with more punch. Looking at the piece (11" 
X 15") can anyone suggest what colour mat would work? Should I totally 
change the mat or would it work okay if I just used a colour insert 
within the white mat?

TIA
pat- wishing that when God gave him the desire to paint, He included 
more talent

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