Keep Your Portrait Looking It's Best
Framing & Care Advice
A little care goes a long way in keeping your watercolour portrait bright and beautiful for years to come. Here you’ll find tips on framing, displaying, and protecting your artwork from damage.
I recommend professional framing vs shop bought frames and you'll discover why in this guide.
Framing a Pet Portrait
Your pet portrait has arrived!
Let's imagine, you have commissioned (or been gifted) a bespoke, hand-painted pet portrait. The character and likeness of your pet have been captured beautifully in a custom watercolour that you will cherish for years to come!
You might be wondering...what to do next?
While a simple shop bought frame can absolutely work, there are a few things worth knowing so that your original watercolour artwork lasts the test of time as well as looking great in your home.
Things worth considering:
- What factors can damage a watercolour artwork over time?
- What are the benefits of having my pet portrait professionally framed?
- Where should I hang my pet portrait?
All of these questions and many more are answered in this guide. If you have further questions don't hesitate to get in touch.
Why Framing Matters
Watercolour pet portraits are delicate
Your watercolour pet portrait is a hand-painted original, and factors such as light, moisture and dust can affect it over time, which is why good framing plays such an important part in protecting it.
A well chosen frame will also enhance your portrait - helping it stand out, feel polished and sit beautifully within your home.
Framing Your Portrait at Home
If you’re framing your portrait yourself, here are a few simple tips to help you protect it:
Choose a frame with a mount
A mount is the white border around the artwork. It prevents the painting from touching the glass, which is important for watercolours.
Use acid-free materials
Acid-free mounts and backing boards help prevent yellowing over time.
A backing board is the board that sits behind your painting inside the frame, supporting it and keeping it flat. You can find acid-free mounts and boards in most art or hobby shops.
Secure the painting safely
Never use masking or sticky tape directly on the artwork — it can damage the paper over time.
Use archival photo corners to hold the corners in place, or an archival hinge along the top edge if extra stability is needed. This keeps the painting secure while allowing it to expand slightly with humidity.
Check the back of the frame
Think of your frame like a sandwich: the painting sits in the middle, with a backing board behind it, and the outer back panel holding everything together.
Many shop-bought frames have a thin brown cardboard backing, which can attract moisture and damage your painting. If you see this, replace it with an acid-free backing board. Make sure the outer back panel is securely in place to keep everything snug, helping prevent dust, moisture, and insects from getting inside.
Make sure the portrait isn't squashed
Your artwork shouldn’t be pressed tightly against the mount or glass.
It should sit comfortably inside the frame with no bowing, bending, or crinkling.
Keep everything clean before closing the frame
Wipe the inside of the glass and gently dust the mount so no bits get trapped around the artwork.
Caring For Your Pet Portrait
What Factors Can Damage a Watercolour Artwork Over Time?
Watercolours are a delicate medium and you may not be aware of some key factors that can prevent them from looking their best over time.
Environmental Factors
- Light Exposure
- Humidity and Temperature Fluctuations
- Insects and Mould
Material and Physical Factors
- Improper Framing
- Poor Quality Materials
- Contact with Glass
Hanging Your Portrait
Things To Consider When Positioning Your Pet Portrait
Once your pet portrait is framed, professionally or otherwise, you'll want to choose the right place to hang it so it stays in perfect condition.
Lighting:
Avoid direct sunlight or harsh artificial light, as this can cause fading over time. Soft, indirect light is best for maintaining vibrancy.
Wall:
Try not to hang your portrait on the inside of an external wall. These can be colder, increasing the chance of condensation forming behind the frame.
Room temperature and humidity:
Keep your portrait in a room with stable, moderate conditions. Avoid bathrooms, kitchens or areas prone to steam or large temperature changes.
Airflow:
Avoid placing it directly above radiators, heaters or air vents, where heat or airflow can affect both the frame and the paper inside.
Finding a Framer
Look around and compare your options
If you do decide to explore professional framing, a quick Google search such as "picture framing near me" or "custom framing [your town]" is usually the best place to start.
It can be helpful to visit one or two framers in person and chat with them directly.
Let them know it's an original watercolour and show them photographs so that they can talk you through possible options. You'll be able to compare styles, see examples and get quotes.
If you do have your portrait professionally framed, don't forget to