Whether you’ve recently invested in an original painting or are an artist yourself and are looking for a way to display your talents, you’ll want to find the right kind of frame to do the job.

There are so many different shapes and sizes of frames, with and without mounts, available to buy from shops and online these days that it can be tempting to think it’s a good idea to do it yourself.

However, there are a few things to consider when framing a painting – and in some cases you’ll need to hone your skills before you can get a good finish. Any painting on a canvas will need to be stretched to prevent it from giving.

In an advice piece for Artists & Illustrators framer Alexander Roeder explained that if a canvas isn’t properly stretched before it’s framed then the picture can go out of shape and sag over time.

Experienced picture framers in Uxbridge will be able to ensure that doesn’t happen to your artwork. While you may want to attempt it yourself, be careful not to damage the artwork in the process. If you’re at all unsure, going to a framer is the best option.

Mr Roeder also offered advice on choosing the best frame and mount for any given picture. He recommended a frame that suits the period of the picture, as well as avoiding thin frames, particularly with smaller pieces of art.

He also provided a top tip when it comes to choosing the mounting for your picture – never choose a colour that features in the painting. Mr Roeder revealed that picking a colour in the painting for the mount will “kill all the other colour”. A neutral shade, such as cream, is often a better choice.

You should also consider the size of the mounting you choose when you take a picture to be framed. Too much and you can make the picture look too small, and too little and it can feel crowded in the frame.