20th Century Master Framemaker

Here is another example of a Robert Sielle frame, I posted about this framemaker some time ago here: Gesso Consolidation

This frame is typically bold and interesting in shape and design, a reverse profile with flat inner section and deep scoop outer. It's in need of some filling and tidying up around the edges. I think it's really good that the original frame is being kept with the painting it was made for, and not discarded for something else. I dread to think how many of Sielle's frames have been removed in favour of something more fashionable, which is a great shame.

Bright Frame Gilding

During a recent visit to Bristol Museum and Art Gallery I saw a number of 19th Century paintings in frames that had been regilded. These frames were left really bright, which is quite unusual to see. This is perhaps how they would have looked when they were originally made, but we are so used to seeing gilding aged and darkened by dust that they really stood out. It was good to see almost all paintings glazed with 'museum glass', unlike Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery which has only a few.

Big Frame Gilded

Reeded Frame

A reeded profile frame with 23.5ct gold leaf finish, it has been gilded with gold size, next it will be sealed with shellac and then some wax will add a slight aged look.

Moon Gold with Distressed Paint

Frames in Progress

The larger frames are water gilded with moon gold, the small frames are acrylic size gilded with aluminium leaf.

Lots of gilded frames

Watercolour Framing

A watercolour mounted with three layer museum mountboard, frame with paint and gilded finish.

A frame painted with yellow bole...

A gesso frame which is being painted with yellow bole, it will be gilded in 12ct white gold.

Flamingos by Jeremy Houghton

This gilded and painted frame was made for one of my regular artist clients; Jeremy Houghton, you can see lots more of his work on his website:

www.jeremyhoughton.co.uk

Gilded bevel

                                         

Ornate mirror frame

This ornate gilded mirror frame has just had a new backing fitted. It is very ornate with C scrolls, floral, and leaf designs. On the top of the frame there is a rather sweet little snail which is just about to be eaten by a swooping bird.

Colourwashes

Once the large number of gilded frames have had the gilding masked off, and the middle section is given a few coats of paint, next colourwashes are applied. The gilding is still masked off during this stage. In this photo I am mixing up some different colours:

Applying a colourwash to this frame:

John Hammond 2013 Exhibition

Here are just a few more of the frames I have been working on recently, they are for paintings by John Hammond for an exhibition called 'A Good Year' at Broadway Modern, John Noott Galleries, from 10th to 26th May. To coincide with this exhibition, a 'Feast for the Eyes - Art, Food, and Wine Fortnight' will be taking place in Broadway, and to reflect the warm landscapes and scenes depicted in the paintings by John Hammond at John Noott Galleries, a special menu will be available at Russell's of Broadway, with wines supplied by Bennetts Fine Wines. 

An earlier stage...

An earlier stage which leads up to the various finishes seen in the previous post. The gilding is masked off with 3M removable magic tape, then a primer paint (Leylands quick drying acrylic primer undercoat) is put on the middle section between the two gilded sections. Some profiles I would paint free hand, but for ease and speed I find it much better to mask off the gilding.

Lots of examples...

Painted sections

All these frames have been gilded, the sides are then painted in primer, then with different colours to suit each painting. After this the un-gilded section of the frame is also painted with a coat of primer, and then a base colour. Next colourwashes are applied to the sides to create a softer look, as the solid bright colours look a little clumsy, I will post a few examples... The main part of the frames are also painted with various colourwashes, a couple can be seen below:

The next stage will be some wax and pigments to add some additional colour and soft sheen, I will post a few examples as almost every frame of this order of 40 will be finished differently.

Stock finishes

These are a few of the gilded frames finished so far this week.

A beginner's gilding work

These water gilded and painted picture frames, are training pieces for the framer who I work with. He has done pretty well considering how little gilding he has done himself, I did the final colouring and paint effects.