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Fascinating People Portraits Peter Worsley |
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On Displaying Paintings: There is no easier decorating solution to boring walls than hanging some paintings.
As one of the elements that can bring a room together, a painting brings interest and color to wall spaces, provides a focal point, and generally livens up the place.
Choosing A Painting: Each painting must be something you enjoy. You are going to have it around for a while, so allow it to give you pleasure each time you pass.
Look for paintings that inspire you. Every painting contains the passion of the artist. Let that passion light up an area of your room and inspire the space.
Working With Paintings: Use an artwork’s colors and topics when shopping for other room elements. Let them be the foundation for your room’s decor. Vibrant colors bring excitement while neutral colors are more calming.
Strong horizontal lines in a painting also tend to be calming and can give the illusion of width in a narrow room.
In the same way strong vertical lines tend to make a room with low-ceilings appear taller. Strong diagonal lines tend to be dynamic and add excitement.
Placing Your Paintings: Bigger is often better. One large painting makes a statement and keeps things simple. It will bring focus and help avoid a cluttered look.
Try to relate your paintings to the furniture below. When hanging a large painting over a desk, the bottom of the frame should sit about five to ten inches above the desktop.
Generally, when hanging a painting over a piece of furniture its frame should not be longer than the width of the furniture.
Choose smaller paintings for narrow walls and larger works for big wall spaces.
Usually paintings should be hung so that the center point of the artwork, or of a grouping of paintings, is at about eye level for the average person.
Such a grouping of paintings should be thought of as one unit. Test an arrangement of paintings by laying them out on a large table or on the floor. Move them around until you feel comfortable with a grouping that works.
Presentation: To harmonize a group of paintings, frame them all alike. This brings unity and direction whether it’s two paintings or ten.
The mats of purchased paintings are often white. Usually artists and galleries choose this color because it does not distract the viewer from the content of the painting itself.
But in your room a painting may have a greater impact if matted in a color that contrast with the wall. Choose a dark mat for a light wall and vice versa.
Ask your framer for advice. There are many colors to choose available.
Finally, when hanging your paintings, they may be heavy. Be sure your wall hooks are big enough and securely attached.
Update September 2007.