How to Cut a Mat for Picture Framing

Cutting a mat requires understanding the material and the know-how to use the tools properly. A mat cutter is an instrument in the hands of a skilled craftsman.

Mat board is made of several layers glued together to make the board. A blade used to cut the board is thin and very sharp. If the blade was too thick and not sharp it would tear the paper. But because it’s thin it will have a tendency to flex, causing the cut to waver.

Even with precaution, blade flex can still occur if the cut is too deep.  In mat cutting, a scrap piece of mat board called a backing sheet is used under the mat when cutting.  Adjust the depth of the cut to just scratch the surface of the backing sheet.

Replace the backing sheet when the surface gets a lot of scores. Also a dull blade can also lead to blade flex.  When the blade is new it cuts through the mat board with ease, as it becomes dull it drags and the more it drags, the more it flexes. 

Changing the blade often eliminates chips and dullness in the blade. It also prevents the patchy cutting and failure to cut through the mat during the entire length of the cut. Make sure the blade depth is properly adjusted. Mat board can vary in thickness so double check the blade depth before cutting. 

  

With firm downward pressure, hold the metal rail firmly in place. Then press down on the thumb depression on the mat cutter to plunge the blade into the mat. Move the cutter along the rail (towards the top of the opening) while applying firm downward pressure until you reach the upper line.  Slowly press the mat cutter about 1/32″ beyond the opening’s top line to insure that the corner is cut all the way through.

 

Semi Custom Framing Service Available

The most expensive part of a custom framing order is almost always the frame. So one of the best ways to save money is to use a standard size picture frame whenever possible. The use of ready made picture frames makes it an economical and practical alternative to framing canvas art, photographs, pastels and watercolors, especially when custom framing is not the answer to your framing needs. By using inexpensive ready made frames, cutting custom mats to fit a standard frame and clear glass I can put it all together to make people think you had it custom framed.  Even if art is an odd size, a custom mat can often be used with a standard frame. And, if a standard size just won't do, a wood or metal frame kit may be the answer. So bring me your art and I will make it special.

Do you have a frame you would like to reuse? I can make an evaluation to see if the frame is in good repair and appropriately sized.

Check out my website: bill-kassel.com

 

 

My first Art Festival

April 30, 2016 - Artisans in the Park at the Conrad Weiser Homestead.

I had a great day, talking to all the visitors that stopped at my booth. It was my first show and had no idea how it was going to go. I learned a lot. I didn't make a lot of money, but I covered my costs. I had a lot of expenses getting ready for the show. I had to make panels for hanging my paintings. Getting prints made, matting & framing. It was a wonderful experience and met a lot of nice people, all in all it was a successful day. Learned a lot about setting up, what the visitors to my booth liked. Now I have a direction to go for future shows.

Thank you for coming out and visiting me.

Just in time for Mother's Day

New lower prices. Check out my revised website. Still plenty of time to receive by Mother's day.

www.bill-kassel.com

Problems when using gouache outdoors.

     The biggest problem I have when painting outdoors is my gouache paints dry too fast on the palette. To compensate for that I add a drop of glycerin or American journey watercolor medium to each color. What it does is keep the paint damp longer. It doesn’t affect the drying much on paper. It also increases the flow & gloss.

Watercolor medium, like ox gall and glycerin can also be used to enhance your ability to mix and blend paints by increasing flow and prolonging paint drying time. Artists used to use glycerin to extend drying time (which was very useful when painting in hot, windy conditions) but it's a little hard to find these days. Both items are also useful when painting outdoors in freezing weather. Add glycerin or watercolor medium to your water as well as your paints to keep them from freezing.

Come see me at Artisians in the park at the Conrad Weiser Homestead

Come out to the 1st Annual Artisans In The Park at the Conrad Weiser Homestead.
There will be over 25 unique artisans showcasing redware pottery, soy candles, miniature log cabins, opaque watercolors, wood carvings and much more! Enjoy mouthwatering food from Damn Yankee Catering and sample delicious wine from Freas Farm Winery! It's an event you don't want to miss!

April 30, 2016 from 9am - 4pm

28 Weiser Lane, Womelsdorf, PA 19567

Note: I'll be set up there with original paintings, prints & note cards. Come out and say hell-o. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Special price today only

  Special today only $200.00 Email me @ bill@bill-kassel.com

 

Ashenfelter Farm, Chester County

11 1/2 x 8 1/2

Medium - Gouache

$300.00 matted & framed

Frame size 18x14

Tips for Hanging Art

A number of years ago I read about a great tip that to this day has made picture hanging a simple, pleasurable task. The tip was to always hang your art at 57" on center. "On center" means that the middle of the picture is at 57" (obviously, the hook will be higher). Interestingly, the 57" standard represents the average human eye-height and is regularly used as a standard in many galleries and museums...

What WE have discovered is that if you stick to this standard, you create a harmony among ALL the pictures in your home, as

they will always hang in relationship to one another from their centers, not their sides. Additionally, we have also found that this helps solve the problem many people have, which is that they hang their pictures too high.

Step By Step:

1. Measure and lightly mark 57" on the wall
2. Measure top of your picture to the middle (or take height and divide by 2)
3. Measure top of your picture to the tightened wire (a small amount)
4. Subtract this last amount to tell you how far above 57" your hook should go
5. Measure up from 57" with this last amount and lightly mark on the wall

Example:

1. Picture is 20" tall
2. Middle is 10" down from top (this should rest at 57")
3. Wire comes to 2" below the top
4. 10" - 2" = 8"
5. Lightly mark 8" above your first mark OR 65" on the wall

Though this may seem complicated to read, it is quite simple when you do it. The thing to always remember is that the CENTER of all your pictures are hanging at the same 57", and you are just figuring out where the hook goes above it.

This 57" also applies to groups of pictures. Think of a group as ONE picture. After you arrange how you want them all to hang (doing this on the floor makes it easier), start with the center picture/pictures and get them at 57" on center. Then surround them with the rest of the group.

Commission is finished.

Here's the finished product, framed & ready to deliver.
11 x 14 - stretched canvas
Oil (water mixable)

It was based on a black & white photo