About Unframed Watercolors
Information for those who have never before bought an unframed piece of art.
QUESTION #1:
WHY BUY AN UNFRAMED ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR?
The combination of a crisp mat and a well-chosen frame has been proven over time to set off fine pieces of art of all sizes and types. And it’s easy to buy a framed watercolor painting, bring it home, and hang it on the wall. You see what you’re getting when you buy it.
But there are some drawbacks, too.
First, somebody else chose the frame… perhaps not the style or quality you would have picked out on your own. It’s much more satisfying to express your taste in a way that enhances your own home or office.
Second, the cost of that pre-selected frame is passed on to you, even though you may soon decide to replace it. Buying one frame is usually less expensive than buying two.
Third, if you’re ordering online (like through this website), it’s trickier and pricier for the seller to ship framed watercolors, since that protective casing of frame, solid back, and glass front is both heavy and fragile. Special shipping containers often must be built to safeguard a piece of art that is embedded in wood and glass… an expense that’s passed on to you, the buyer.
And yes, this is a consideration for a website like this that ships original watercolors across the country and hopes to hold costs down for our customers.
QUESTION #2:
IF I ORDER AN UNFRAMED WATERCOLOR, HOW WILL YOU SHIP IT TO ME?
We’ll ship your unframed original watercolor in a strong-but-lightweight flat container. Since there won’t be any heavy frame or fragile glass to protect, you’ll wind up with minimal packaging to dispose of… and most of it should be recyclable.
Your shipping costs will be significantly lower, too. Probably enough to pay for the mat and frame of your choice.
QUESTION #3:
WHAT SHOULD I DO ONCE I GET IT?
After you receive your unframed original Bernard Marks watercolor, your next step should be to take it to a good frame shop in your community.
An experienced framer there will suggest options for both a mat and a frame. You can look around the shop for other possibilities, too.
Working with the framer, you’ll choose the colors, textures, and sizes that work best with your painting and that will look great in your home or office. You’ll decide where the mat should go to “crop” the painting exactly as you want it.
After you leave, the framer will pull it all together. Soon you’ll pick up your masterpiece, take it home, and hang it on your wall… just the same as if you’d bought it already framed.
Except now you’ll have a piece of art that is truly yours!
