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Framing with wood panels

Frame your art with wood panels!

Hello lovely creative!

How do you take small artworks to the next level? With chunky frames of course! I have just framed my latest “Naturalist Collage” series and today I’m sharing the whole process in a video tutorial!

You can see the unframed pieces in my previous blog posts: HERE for the small butterfly ones, and HERE for the larger botanical piece. It’s crazy how much of a difference it makes when you frame them like that:

Without further ado, here is the video tutorial! You will find the supplies list right below it:

what you'll need

  • To mount & raise the artwork: Wood panel or other substrate (foam core board etc…) the exact size of your artwork

  • To frame the artwork: Cradled wood panel (I like the ones with thin edges) slightly deeper than the mounted artwork. These cradled wood panels are originally meant for painting (on the othe side). I flip them back to front and use the hollow area at the back to put the artwork in. The ones I find in France are called "Casani" but there are surely other brands. Sometimes you can find similar ones sold as trays in DIY and home decor shops, or even second-hand!

  • To glue paper artwork to the panel: matte gel medium (regular or super heavy)

  • To glue inner panel to the frame: strong glue (No More Nails, super-heavy gel medium or other)

  • Sawtooth picture hanger & screws

  • Screwdriver (I prefer an electric one)

  • Parchment paper or non-stick baking sheet

  • Something heavy under which to press the artwork. Depending on the size it could be heavy books, magazines, a bag of rice etc.

  • Optional: clamps

  • Water & a rag

  • Flat paintbrush

Here are the finished pieces, all framed and ready to hang!

Here they all are:

Tell me in a comment:

I’d love to know if you give this framing process a try, or if you have any other favorite techniques you’d like to share to make small artworks extra special!

Light & Love




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