Frames by Edward Wright artisan Brooks Ann wrote about the custom picture frame she designed to house a valuable Art Nouveau opera poster. Today, we'll begin to look in more detail at how this unique frame came together. Click to see how Brooks Ann designed the custom hand carving.
The first step of creating a custom carve is to draw the design on bare moulding.
This is a lengthy process, involving careful measurements and corrections to make sure the drawing is perfect.
Working with such an oversized picture frame creates added complications, as Brooks Ann must match the design along very large pieces of moulding.
Once the carve design is correct on one length of moulding, Brooks Ann uses the photocopier to create a mirror image of the template.
Now the carve template can be copied to the rest of the frame moulding.
This is a lengthy process, involving careful measurements and corrections to make sure the drawing is perfect.Working with such an oversized picture frame creates added complications, as Brooks Ann must match the design along very large pieces of moulding.
Once the carve design is correct on one length of moulding, Brooks Ann uses the photocopier to create a mirror image of the template.
Now the carve template can be copied to the rest of the frame moulding.
The four sides of the picture frame must match each other perfectly, especially at the corners.
Brooks Ann periodically takes a step back (or up, as the case may be) to examine the carve design and make sure it looks beautiful from a distance, as well as close up.
She spent many hours refining and perfecting the carve design before ever picking up a woodworking tool.
In future posts we'll see the continued creation of this unique custom frame. Next time: the carving takes shape.
In future posts we'll see the continued creation of this unique custom frame. Next time: the carving takes shape.
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