[Discussion] Standards for Framing Paintings on Paper
I know it’s common to tape off edges around a watercolor/gouache painting which leaves a white border— is that border meant to get covered by a mat or frame edges, trimmed before framing, or left visible in the frame? If the border is meant to be visible, is there a standard for how wide it should be, and does that scale with the size of the painting? I mostly paint small (ACEOs, 4x6, 5x7) if that makes a difference.
Also, about mats: are they necessary for selling paintings?
I know they’re meant to hold the paper flat and away from the glass, but what if I varnished the painting (UV spray + cold wax), removed the glass, and put some thick paper behind it so it’s snug against the backboard? At that point, wouldn’t a mat just be an aesthetic choice? I personally think paintings look better when they fill the whole frame (especially with small paintings) but wondering if that’d be breaking some “industry standard” and make work harder to sell?