How to Frame a Canvas
Framing an oil painting on canvas allows you to hang it on the walls while protecting it. A stretched canvas does not require to be under a glass. You will easily find all framing supplies at your local art supply store.
I recently dropped off my painting “A Bunch of Hope” at the Mack Gallery at Pike’s place in Seattle for the brand new show. I really enjoyed DIY framing my painting for the show. Walk with me through this step by step tutorial and learn all about framing an oil painting on canvas.
STEP 1 - SELECT A FRAME
Use a tape measure and note down the length, width, and depth of the canvas. This will help when you're shopping for a frame
If you are shopping a frame from an art supply store, buy one that is the same length, width, and depth of your canvas measurements
Choose a frame that compliments the canvas. I chose a black frame for my floral piece as it brought out the vibrant color of my painting more
I made a decision to pick a simple frame as opposed to an ornate frame, since my painting itself is a multitude of complex floral composition
Remember, less is more. Choose a frame that does not distract from what is on the canvas
Buy offset canvas clips of the appropriate size by measuring the frame back to the back of the stretcher
STEP 2 - FRAME THE CANVAS
Cover the surface with a soft cloth such as a bedsheet so that the frame face does not get damaged by scratches. Lay the frame face down on it.
Insert the canvas into the frame with the painting side down
Position the clips where you want them on the frame. I used 10 clips for a 18x24” canvas. I placed each of them 6” away from one another on each side of the canvas
Use a pencil to draw a mark in the holes of the canvas clip and repeat for all the clips
I then set the clips over the holes and used a drill machine to secure the screws into the holes
STEP 3 - ATTACH A DUST JACKET
A dust cover is essentially a piece of brown paper taped to the back of the canvas to protect it from collecting dust
Apply double sided tape to the back of the frame in a straight line
Cut a sheet of brown paper paper that is the size of the framed canvas
Remove the top cover of the double sided tape
Place the brown paper firmly on top of the double sided tape, ensuring that each edge of the paper lines up with the edge of tape
Press the edges firmly down to attach the paper to the tape
If there's excess paper, you can trim it with a knife or scissors.
Carefully carve out a diamond shape hole in the center of the dust jacket without hurting your canvas. This hole will allow your canvas to breath
STEP 3 - ATTACH A WIRE HANGER
With a pencil, mark the top side of your painting as the wire hanger will be attached from top down to 1/3rd
My longest side of canvas was 24” so I marked 8” down from the top where the hanger will be attached
Use the tape measure to draw a mark to 1/3rd of the way down both sides, making sure both sides have a mark at the exact same spot
With a crew driver or drill machine, attach the screws of the d ring wire hangers into these marks on both the sides
Cut the hanger wire longer than the width of the canvas. Add 6 to 8 inches to the width of the canvas to find the length of wire you need cut
Lay the wire down horizontally on the back of the canvas. Beginning with either side, make a knot first pulling the end of the wire down from within the eye-hook, then going over the eye-hook and pulling up through the eye-hook.
Coil around the extra wire along the length of the main hanging wire
Repeat on the other side
Congratulations on framing your oil painting on canvas! It looks beautiful and ready to hang! Isn’t it a beautiful feeling to offer all the love and care to your artwork that it deserves? You have already put in so much effort and thought into making the painting, now with these few extra miles you giving your artwork a new life with the frame.
Enjoy DIY framing and please reach out via the comments below or contact form for any questions you may have!\. I would love to see your frames and painting.
ASHWINI
