What is "Neutral" Framing?

I define neutral framing as the items surronding the art that enhance and help focus the art.

• Some designers and framers say that neutral framing is a white or off-white mat and a specific style of frame. Our definition of neutral is to use the elements present in the artwork to design the frame presentation. Design with consideration of the “relative’ period and style of the artwork. Is it an abstract, figurative or a landscape. Does the style have an antique feel, or is it in the style of the ‘20s, 60‘s or ?..., all these elements may have an affect on the outcome of the design. In other words the framing is "neutral" to the artwork.
• We generally suggest the most common color (the color of first impression) as the top mat, then use the second, third, or fourth colors, etc. for accents in order of strength. The stronger the color the less we use. By framing this way the viewer's eye is not pulled from the art to the matting or framing. If, when viewing art, your first impression is the frame or the mat, then the presentation is too strong for the image. The viewer should want to linger on the art with visual excursions out to the framing presentation.

 Black & White Art or Photography

• Sometimes the hardest to design. The most logical (?) is to use white or black mats and frames. Well, how much of the Black & White  photographic image has areas of pure white or pure black. Often it is a variation of grays. So frame it in the gray that most makes the artwork come forward.
• A light mat on a very dark photo or picture will make the picture appear darker and decrease the visible detail by having too much intensity for the subtleties of the photograph or artwork. Vis-à-vis the dark mat on a light artwork. If the photo or artwork has large areas of darks or lights use a mat that blends with the largest amount of color (black, white, or gray).
• Several shades of white, grays or blacks can be tried until the balance is correct and the eye travels first to the photo.

This also applies to any art form that is extremely dark or light.