If you purchase an unframed work or a shipped order, your painting is in a “sandwich” of acid-free foam core, glassine tracing paper, and another piece of foam core. The painting is attached to the back of the foam core by a T formation “hinge” method of taping on the back of the piece. The semi-transparent paper taped against the back piece of foam core separating the painting from the front piece keeps the work pressed safely together without letting pigment move around until you are ready to frame! The top layer of foam core is taped across all three layers beneath it to hold them all together.

 

To open, gently lift the tape from the top of the sandwich, and remove the top layer of foam core. This will reveal the painting under the semi-transparent paper, which is connected to the back foam core by three hinges that will allow you to remove the bottom hinge and see your painting!

 

From there for framing, you can reassemble the sandwich and bring your art sandwich to a professional framer who is familiar with soft pastels, they'll offer a matted and unmatted version of framing.

 

If you'd prefer to mat and frame yourself, you can buy mats and frames separately at craft stores like Michaels or Hobby Lobby if they are standard dimensions. Your artwork will state the dimensions on the outside of the packaging, or we will have discussed dimensions during the commission process if applicable.

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To frame yourself, handle the edges carefully so as not to smudge the painting. I'd recommend using a double mat for longevity, although a single mat is doable. Place between two and four pieces of acid-free artist tape behind the work, so that there is tape adhered to the back of the painting and some tape sticking out of the sides. Place the mat over the artwork so that the edge of the art is underneath the mat. Press down around the top of the mat so that the tape adheres to the back of the mat. From there, you'll be able to place in the frame of your choice!