Works on paper and photographs generally benefit from having a mat included in custom framing materials. A mat helps keep the piece in place, enhances the focal point, and keeps the glass from being directly on the artwork.
A simple way to add something special to a 2D piece is by using multiple mats. In the piece below, you can see how adding a few mats in different tones really draws the eye in to the piece. They accentuate the different tones in the artwork, as well.
Madonna Sculpture at Night - original art by Miranda Herrick
Multiple mats can also be used to give more weight to a piece of framing. In this piece by Kevin LaJoie, he chose to mat his square photo as a rectangle, giving it a more substantial footprint.
Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, MA, 2014
Finally, an example of a double mat pulling out a detail from the piece it’s framing. Using the lower mat of two (or the bottom two of three, etc.) to pull out a color in the framed work is an excellent way to add a bit of something special to your framing. Even a map without a large variance of color benefits from having a tone pulled out from within it.
This thin dark line brings out the detailing of the map.
If you’re interested in getting a piece framed and using multiple mats, come by the frame counter and one of our friendly and knowledgeable associates will be happy to guide you through your options.