Next Batch of Frames

A pile of frames that are the next batch to be made, most of these will be gilded all over.

antique frame sale

It has taken me a long time, and it is far from ready, but I have finally launched my second blog which is for selling antique, old, reproduction, and some of my own frames online:

antique frame sale

I started it back in late 2011 but events during 2012 prevented my from really devoting anytime to organising the site. Cataloguing my frames has taken me ages and is still ongoing, working out postage costs has also been something of a challenge, but it is all slowly coming together. Only one frame is listed so far! but more will be added soon.

Little repairs

Here are just a few small repairs I am doing at the moment, all typical damage from handling and shipping. A mould is taken from an intact section using a silicone type impression material used in medical/dental spheres, they are either two-part materials which are mixed 50:50 or a main material into which a small amount of catalyst is mixed.
I mainly use three different types; Otoform AK, Coltène Lab Putty, and Kemsil Precise. The only difference really being the shore hardness/flexibility of the mould once it has set. Once the mould is made, it can be used replace the missing sections.

I always keep these moulds, once made the material can't be used to make a new impression but it could be used on a similar repair, should the same ornament come up in the future. This is wishful thinking as finding the mould to match the frame ornament would take too long, I am just reluctant to throw them away, and have kilos of them!

You can get some mould making materials (like Vinamold) that can be reused, but they are much harder to work with though, as you need to melt the material in a saucepan and build a fence around the area you want to copy. Useful for long  running patterns, but not practical for little repairs.

Some mould making suppliers:
Alec Tiranti 

South Western Industrial Plasters
Kemdent
Henry Schein

Frames in progress

These are some of the next batch of frames being worked on, some to be gilded and some with paint finishes. All are in obeche wood except for two which are made from oak. The nice reproduction frame on the table was not made by me, but is just getting a repair done, and having some museum glass fitted.

Lots of frames

These stacks of frames and slips will have a simple paint finish. They are for the very busy artist Antony Bridge, who is having a number of exhibitions this year.

Frames on display

If you like old frames then you might like the kitchen and toilet at the workshop. Here are all sorts of different frame styles, which I hung on the walls this weekend. There are a couple of examples from the 17th/18th Centuries, a number from the 19th C, and lots of early to late 20th C, and a few new frames made by us. There is still room for about another 12!

The next round

The revolving wheel of frame production keeps on going round... here are 10 little frames which will be gilded and painted. 9 of them are made from a cove shaped slip and an outer shaped frame, these are cut, joined, glued/pinned together, given a size coat and then gessoed. The lonely frame on the top of the shelves is a simple box frame. 

Next weeks work

Here are a few of the jobs we will be working on this week. The piles of oak frames are for a regular contract order, we do about 100 to 200 at a time every few months. Hanging on the wall brackets are lots of different frames, some will be gilded and others will have gesso/paint finishes. Lastly the close up is a canvas tray which will be water gilded in moon gold. A busy week ahead!

Work in progress

In the top photo I am in the process of joining a big frame on the underpinner, in the background Mark 'gesso' is busy spraying gesso on frames. 

The next photo shows a floating type design, a canvas will go in the inner frame which will be mounted to the linen mountboard which is backed with 3mm MDF, the outer frame has been extended to accommodate the extra depth.

The next couple of photos show another floating design, the canvas panel is backed with foamboard which is secured with gummed tape. This foamboard will then be fixed to the backing board and will give the floating effect, a 1/4” gap is left all around the image, the frame is a scoop slip with an outer box frame which are both painted.

The last couple of photos show a canvas which is screwed to a backing board, the frame is sprayed with gesso and then has a paint and wash finish. The painting above is by Julie de Bastion:  

http://julie.debastion.com/

A few jobs

This little swept frame was an urgent repair, it had a few pieces missing, although I should have taken a 'before' photo. Various frames hanging up, waiting to be painted, collected, or have something done to them.

Lots of slip frames

This week Ian and Phil have been working on these slip frames for the Duncan MacGregor paintings.

Melvyn Warren-Smith

I've just finished lots of frames for an exhibition of work by Leamington Hastings based artist, illustrator, and art teacher Melvyn Warren-Smith. The exhibition is from Saturday 1st to Monday 3rd May.

www.melvyn-warren-smith

Work in progress and some corner samples

A load of gilded frames waiting to be painted and finished this coming week. The corner samples are of two antique frame styles, these still need some final toning and antiquing, and a white gold water gilded profile.

Artist Jeremy Houghton

Broadway artist Jeremy Houghton collecting some framing in style! This fabulous Bentley has been in his family since his Grandfather bought it brand new many years ago.
Jeremy paints in oils, watercolours and other mediums and is always coming up with new and interesting ideas for framing his work. He is currently rather fond of painting flamingoes.

www.jeremyhoughton.co.uk

Reflections by Nigel Ashcroft

More frames finished this morning, paintings are again by Nigel Ashcroft, framed in water gilded silver leaf frames.

Frames, frames, frames

These are some of the frames I have been working on for the last few weeks. The watercolours are by Nigel Ashcroft for an exhibition at John Noott Galleries in Broadway, www.john-noott.com

Starting to look like a building...

The steel framework was put up this week, now we just need some good, dry weather so the brickwork can be done.

Work is flooding in at the moment, and no sign of it slowing down. I can't wait to move into the new workshop!

Don't put art against glass!

Most framers will advise you not to put art in a frame without a mount, spacer, or slip. This photo of a very nice drawing by Elisabeth Frink shows what happens, moisture condenses behind the glass and can have a very damaging effect. Luckily the paper had not stuck to the glazing.