picture mat
A picture mat -- sometimes called a mount in British English -- is a reinforced board that is placed behind or within a picture frame. Though generally used for decoration, picture mats can also be used for practical purposes, such as separation or distinction.
Mats are typically thin -- usually 1/16 of an inch thick -- and can be cut down by a razor for decoration. Additionally, because they are so thin, they can be double or triple stacked for even greater decoration purposes. Also, mats come in every type of color, allowing artists to coordinate multiple maps to help viewers focus on the piece of art.
Moreover, mats are not only used in decoration to help draw attention to the original piece of art. Many artists use mats as part of the artwork. Creativity allows them to use all available tools when designing a piece of art.
Picture mats also serve a very practical purpose. Many art galleries use picture mats to separate a painting or photo from the glass frame. Condensation can quickly accumulate in a non-climate controlled environment, hurting the original documents contour, texture and appearance. Because of this, many art galleries hire picture framing services to preserve the art with a picture mat.
Since mats are thin, many amateur artists can use picture mats to help frame their pictures. Though computerized tools have been invented to help carve the picture mat, many people still prefer to manually carve their mat.
There are available resources that freely teach artists how to carve their own mats for paintings photos or other types of artwork. These resources also teach tips and tricks for being creative with picture mats.
Old picture mats are typically wood-based, so they contain acidic properties. However, new mats are acid-free and safer to use for preserving art. Of course, some artists prefer acid mats because they leave "mat burns" overtime. Mat burns are small brown spots that accumulate on the artwork. Though mat burns can be cleaned, it may be hard to clean water-based artwork.
Mats are typically thin -- usually 1/16 of an inch thick -- and can be cut down by a razor for decoration. Additionally, because they are so thin, they can be double or triple stacked for even greater decoration purposes. Also, mats come in every type of color, allowing artists to coordinate multiple maps to help viewers focus on the piece of art.
Moreover, mats are not only used in decoration to help draw attention to the original piece of art. Many artists use mats as part of the artwork. Creativity allows them to use all available tools when designing a piece of art.
Picture mats also serve a very practical purpose. Many art galleries use picture mats to separate a painting or photo from the glass frame. Condensation can quickly accumulate in a non-climate controlled environment, hurting the original documents contour, texture and appearance. Because of this, many art galleries hire picture framing services to preserve the art with a picture mat.
Since mats are thin, many amateur artists can use picture mats to help frame their pictures. Though computerized tools have been invented to help carve the picture mat, many people still prefer to manually carve their mat.
There are available resources that freely teach artists how to carve their own mats for paintings photos or other types of artwork. These resources also teach tips and tricks for being creative with picture mats.
Old picture mats are typically wood-based, so they contain acidic properties. However, new mats are acid-free and safer to use for preserving art. Of course, some artists prefer acid mats because they leave "mat burns" overtime. Mat burns are small brown spots that accumulate on the artwork. Though mat burns can be cleaned, it may be hard to clean water-based artwork.