White Borders and Framing

[Lara]

Hi all,

I’m interested to hear your opinions on borders when painting in watercolour – do you paint right to the edge of the page, or do you usually leave a border? I realise those who are stretching their watercolour paper would naturally get a border where they have taped the edges, but I paint on blocks, so I guess that choice is still up to me. I usually paint right to the edge, and plan my compositions so that I usually don’t mind losing a little on the edge that might be hidden via framing.

I made a few prints of my work for the first time recently, and my approach was to make them same size as the originals, with no white border, so they looked as close to the originals as possible, but now I am rethinking my approach that I might like to have a border after all.

What approach do you take? Interested to hear all your thoughts. Thanks!

[Yorky Administrator Ormskirk]

I usually paint to the edges even over the staples. Obviously, the edges get covered but it does allow a little latitude when framing.

Doug

We must leave our mark on this world

[Mullanphy]

When painting on sheets I use tape which leaves a border.  Using a grade school style compass I mark each edge at each corner so I have nice even 1/4″ – 3/8″ borders on all four sides.

On blocks I don’t’ tape and paint to the edges.

It’s easier to not tape, but sometimes it’s needed.  If making a choice based on framing it would be the same. Tape when needed (reduce buckling or to stretch) and don’t when not.

Save lives, mask up. ?

[Author]

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