TIPS ON FRAMING FOR EXHIBITION AND SALES
By Brenda Innes
Art Consultant
0417 551066
During my 20 years of hanging exhibitions in galleries and observing patterns of sales at galleries and art shows I have gathered several tips to maximize your potential sales:
Why?
If you imagine your work on anonymous walls you need to acknowledge the sometimes unpalatable truth that the work must “match the décor”! I have seen clients walk straight past very good paintings without acknowledging them or shown them works I know they would like but on asking why they are not enthused their response is invariably “the mount/moulding would not work with the furniture, carpet, wall colour…”
Look at the framing of the most successful artists and invariably the works are neutrally framed to maximize the potential sales.
Consider the challenges of hanging an exhibition so that all artwork is presented as a harmoniously whole with all paintings seen and not clashing with other works. As a general rule those paintings that are framed neutrally will have a prime position in a show because they will work together harmoniously and have wider appeal to potential buyers. Very individually or vibrantly framed works (including richly toned mounts) will be more difficult to hang for this reason and may not be hung in a prime location for sales.
To achieve this consider
a) giving your art “breathing space” with wider mounts when your work is frame under glass OR neutrally toned slips around your oil painting
b) champagne rather than gold/silver mouldings as they harmonise with both warm & cool toned paintings plus they suit more interiors
c) simple box frames around oils
8. Unfortunately, as with many things, artists’ can’t afford to be cheap with their framing – it always shows and frankly if the artist doesn’t honour/respect the work with good framing then a buyer generally won’t either – only those buyers who can sniff a bargain and they are not the preferred purchasers!
9. It is suggested that for works on paper a successful formula is to have 6 standard neutral and contemporary frames, one each for ¼, ½ & full sheets in both landscape & portrait format to slot works in and out until a work is sold then replace the frame which has been sold. NB. As a rule the art show life of a painting is no more than 4 shows without a sale.
10. Develop a relationship with a reliable framer whose work is not only good quality but also reasonably priced (sometimes artists are able to negotiate better prices for continued patronage or have a financial arrangement whereby the artist has an account with monthly/quarterly payments). Another framing option is to find a framer who works from a home studio – as they do not have the same overheads as a “shop front” framer their prices are generally cheaper.
OTHER ADVICE FROM MOONEE VALLEY ART SHOW
As per our Terms and Conditions (published elsewhere on this web site)
Framing is not mandatory but all works must be of durable material. All works must be wired ready for hanging (hooks not acceptable). Works presented that are not wired, will, at the discretion of the Organisers be rejected and no refunds will be paid.
Please allow for the cost of framing when providing your selling price at time of submission. Works accepted into the Art Show WILL BE SOLD AT THE PRICE IN G247 AT TIME OF CLOSING DATE OF SUBMISSIONS. Our catalogue is then produced based on the price in G247. Any subsequent changes WILL NOT be reflected in our catalogue and works will be sold at the catalogued price. Under no circumstances will the Organisers be liable for any claims against it for changed pricing.