A Frame for Frenchie

Er, I mean, "Carpe Diem." I'm allowed to refer to my own paintings by their first names where applicable, right? :P

$2 Goodwill frame, ahoy!

I've had this beauty in my stash for a few years now. The wide, wooden frame begged to be painted to match its destined contents, once I knew what they were.

First comes a wipe down with a no-brand Clorox wipe and my first attempt at removing the price sticker. It's a good thing this frame required sanding, anyway, as that sticker was determined!

I use a fine grit for frame sanding, followed by another wipe down.

Now we're ready for tape! I want the outer edge gold to match the painting's scroll work. I also want to keep the back tidy so it doesn't scrape dark paint against walls.

Painting time! Two coats of Mars Black, followed by two coats of Payne's Gray. Since my watercolor black has a blue undertone to it, the Payne's Gray helps the frame match better; putting Mars Black down first limits how much of my beloved Payne's Gray I have to use.

The border tape can now come off. Nice and clean!

My acrylic gold requires a light ground to show true. Thus, three coats of white, then three coats of gold. The stars are the final touch before a few coats of mat medium to protect the paint.*

*I don't use varnish as I've discovered that it often dries with a sticky texture when combined with acrylic--not my favorite!

And now for Frenchie!

Not the greatest photo, admittedly. I need to get a new piece of glass from my closet supply stash, but I need to finish deep-cleaning my studio so that I can get into my closet! I keep a tidy workspace, but as we all know, there's "every day clean" and "company clean." We've family staying with us starting this weekend. (My studio couch folds into a bed and has to be unfolded while I wash the bedclothes, as now.) Guess which level of clean I'm aiming for? ;P

May you all be well and wonderful!

PS--For more frame refinishing shenanigans and a different method, check out my previous post, "Frame Refinishing 101": https://www.patreon.com/posts/24547420