I recently started selling my original watercolors. I wanted a simple way to elevate the paintings, and I found using white mats was exactly what I was looking for.
Now this is not the most professional way to mat a painting, I’ll admit that right up front. But it finishes off the painting just enough for me to sell it, and I’m happy with that.
If you’re wondering how to mat watercolor paintings in a way that looks polished and professional (without breaking the bank or taking hours), this post is for you.
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How I Mat My Art
Last year, I discovered Golden State Art Mats, so I purchased several different sizes to try them out.
As an artist, I want my work to shine, and white mats were perfect for that!
These mats are very affordable and instantly make any piece feel gallery-ready. Take a look at the before and after:
Before & After
I don’t use backing boards, but you definitely could to make it more professional.
Maybe someday I’ll sell my paintings with the mat and backing board, but until then, I’ll continue to do it this way. It gives my customers the flexibility to change the mat if they want to.
Related Post: My Favorite Watercolor Paper
How to Mat Your Watercolor Paintings
If you’re preparing your art for a market or shipping it to a customer, here’s a quick overview of how to mat your watercolor paintings:
- Choose the right size mat for your artwork. Golden State Art sells many different sizes.
- Use acid-free tape or mounting corners to secure the painting in place. I used linen hinging tape.
- Optionally, back it with a sturdy board
The whole process takes less than 5 minutes!
Here’s a look at the back, as I mentioned, it’s not the most professional way to finish off the painting, but no one sees the back anyway. This is a great process if you’re in a pinch and need to display your art.
Conclusion
Using white mats is a great way to present watercolor artwork. Whether you’re selling your art online, at an art show, or displaying your artwork for school or at a gallery, these are an affordable way to do so.
Thanks for reading! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or have something to add.
Shop my original artwork & more at my website here. 🙂
-Amanda
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