Ten Tips For Better Picture Framing

Ten Do's and Don'ts of Picture Hanging

To help you get the “hang” of artful arranging, the following are some positive pointers on picture grouping. REMEMBER! Your front door talks about you to everyone who passes by... your walls gossip about you to all your friends. Walls are the largest single feature in any room! Be sure yours make a positive statement by careful selection of your artwork, framing and hanging!

1. COMPOSITION is the key. Consider your grouping as a single unit. LINE, BALANCE, RHYTHM and SCALE.
   
   
2. First, work out an attractive arrangement on the floor. Remembering to measure out the entire amount of wall space you have to work in. Trace an outline of each picture on paper and use these as guides for placement on the walls. This will eliminate unnecessary nailholes. (Newspaper, freezer paper, brown craft paper).
   
   
3. The eye craves order, so remember your practical geometry. Hang pictures so that they form at least one horizontal, and one vertical line. (With the exception of a round grouping.)
4. Your arrangement should hang-together, literally. Too much space between pictures disrupts the graphic effect. (Use your hand width as a good spacing between pieces.)
   
   
5. Remember, not only size, but color and textures will affect the balance. Always integrate groupings for balance by keeping the weight of your composition well distributed.
   
   
6. Add Rhythm by combining large and small squares, rectangles and circles, but mingle the various shapes and sizes throughout to add visual interest.
   
   
7. Permanent accessories such as lamps, are important to remember, so include them into your plan.
   
   
8. Correct scale is such a common factor in decorating that we are not aware of it until it is absent. Sizes of objects used together. Standing a pony beside an elephant will make the pony look smaller or the elephant look larger… tiny pictures over a large overstuffed sofa or vice versa is incorrect.
   
   
9. Stair-stepping pictures is a no-no unless hanging them on a stairway wall.
   
   
10. How HIGH or How LOW???? Remember, everyone’s “eye-level” is different. The Rule to remember is: No more than 6 to 8 inches above a piece of furniture or at average eye level if not above furniture. You can view other free framing articles and tips for arranging artwork at the photograph's website. The artist offers free screensavers along with affordable prices for beautiful pictures. Mr. McNulty’s web site www.premierphotographer.com offers some of the finest fine art photography available online. You can reach Pat McNulty at 610-395-1834 or via e-mail at webmaster@premierphotographer.com