How to Make Floating Picture Frames

[@tophat2115]

You've convinced me to hire a wood worker to do this for me!

[@KariAppleseed]

Same.

[@jkafie]

Agree!!!!

[@michaelsimmons4883]

No. no. NO. Buy $2k of saws, accessories, and gear. Screw it up a couple times (like I have). ...and think, he makes it look so easy, maybe I should try again.

[@toppcatt5113]

its gonna cost you a lot.

[@coltonprivett5221]

@@michaelsimmons4883 you should definitely try again 🙂

[@wendysanchez403]

Huh, that's a lot of work. I hope people can appreciate your time and compensation is equal or more for your talent! Beautiful

[@maddiehaan6061]

I really appreciate your vocabulary and the way you use descriptive words to explain what you're doing. Very easy and fun to listen to! Learned a ton!

[@1mmafrka]

As a painter this seems like a daunting task. Excellent work.

[@MichaelAlm]

It can be very handy to add some woodworking skills in when your a painter. This probably isn't the best place to start, but it's a good thing to work up to. John Peters has some great frame making videos that are more DIY friendly.

[@andreaandrea6716]

@@MichaelAlm You are so kind!!

[@KristinaKoslowski]

😂😂😂 this is beyond my brain.

[@amoswright6134]

Great instructions. Love that black finish. OCD move: slide heat shrink tubing over the hanging wire between the two pieces of wire hardware, then slide over the wire ends and shrink. No stabby.

[@codyowen5070]

Completely in your element, making art to hold art

[@somipax]

thank you so much, this is what i needed. The art shop where i live wants to charge me with 102,24 usd for each painting. i just could never afford framing 100 paintings to such prices. I got the tools, access to materials form the trres around my house. With your super easy and clean method i feel happy to come over your video. You are great, much appreciated

[@dannielfriedrichsen7226]

My wife has become a painter, so I am now the Head Framer around here. Cutting the registration edge for the strainer is a wonderful idea. I modified your technique a bit by gluing the strainer parts to the rough cut frame pieces before making the miter cuts. Seems to work. Thanks for the great videos and great ideas.

[@doriangray7723]

Wow! Gorgeous work. I never knew how much work was involved in making frames. The only reason I even searched box frames is because I just start acrylic painting and was curious about framing gallery canvas. Just wow! Now, I have a new appreciation for your discipline. Moreover, if ever buying buying a frame, I will understand why the cost is what it is. Thanks for sharing.

[@mellymel1100]

Oh, wow! I watched a dozen of these videos about how to make a floating frame, but your attention to detail is beautiful!

[@Erin_Wilson_Studios]

The results are so beautiful, and really allows the art to shine. Nicely done.

[@ikeasnilleswivelchair29]

Anyone else watch woodworking videos despite having almost no form of workshop

[@deboram.8474]

Hahahaha yes me. Not sure how I ended up here hahahahahaha

[@charliemcdermott301]

My wife says I just watch them and don't do the woodwork

[@myruffleddreams1906]

I i have the shop but lack the ambition

[@barbaramoss6413]

Fer sure!

[@m-well6843]

Yep

[@robertwoodward9231]

I used to work in a shop, building various types of cabinetry many years ago and you don't think much about the idea of being an artist but after it's all had the final finishes, it's then that you can say you're an artist. Good job.

[@martywilsonlife]

Exceptional! Having been a custom framer in the past (and a bit of a woodworker), I know the attention-to-detail that is required in a project like this. And as others have mentioned, your tutorial style and video-editing are superb. Thank you for a wonderful video.

[@nightloon2590]

By far the most thorough video we’ve found on building a quality floating frame. Thank you

[@deannfrey3469]

Beautiful work. The frames are a work of art on their own.

[@TheSteveAS]

Floating frames have always been my favorite style. Like you said Michael, they are clean and modern, and beautiful without distracting from the art. I’ve been meaning to make some myself - thanks so much for the in-depth tutorial! I didn’t know about the importance of not over-cutting your splines! I wish I lived closer - I’d love to buy you a beer and talk shop!

[@MichaelAlm]

Glad to hear it was helpful Steve!

[@bozomahoney]

What a pleasure to watch. Thanks for not playing loud crazy ass music. A lot of work goes into art framing, for sure! I am a watercolour artist.... i totally get the labour of love you put in your work.

[@binder098]

Above and beyond this being just a really good how to on this subject, the narration, editing and presentation is superb. I am subscribing in appreciation of the care and crafting of your presentation of the video. Stellar.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Max!

[@TheCulturalCompass]

Me too!

[@penguinista]

Agreed! This is a really top notch instructional video.

[@MAC-ws8fz]

Kiss much ass, Maxie?

[@robot_spider]

A friend of ours gave us a 2' x 3' painting they did. It was painted on 1/4" plywood, so we wanted a float frame for it. We innocently went to a local frame shop only to find out a float frame--using BASIC moulding would cost us in the mid-$700s. The painting is nice, but it's not mid-$700-frame-nice. I have basic tools, saws, glues, paints, and some experience with DIY and construction. Seeing this process, step-by-step, gives me a good idea of what to expect, and also confirms my suspicion that it doesn't in-fact involve quantum mechanics or rare-earth elements. Thanks for sharing your experience and skill!

[@selfscience]

That red and black thing is really captivating.

[@matej.m.rejsek8537]

I like the completeness (and calmness) of your presentation. Thank you!

[@mariuszota]

When the framing outshines the painting, but I get there's emotional value in there. Fantastic work Michael.

[@grahamewebber4038]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder bro I loved the artwork and thought the frames were a perfect compliment.✌🏾

[@matchstickdesignco]

I almost had a heart attack when you slapped that black paint on the walnut. I thought to myself - WHHHYYYYYYYYY would anyone do that?!? Of course, after seeing the finished product, it looks fantastic. I really wasn't expecting such a great result; I just assumed that the paint would completely cover the grain.

[@MichaelAlm]

I know, it's surprising! Sometimes stain can look good 😉

[@freudhamalia1791]

I wanted to comment , then i saw your comment and decided to watch all the video. And no. Black killed all the warmth that comes in mixed light and dark shades on his fine grain. Now it is just a frame that could have been made out of....pine and black paint.

[@robthejones]

One week to dry!!!

[@mariuszota]

I thought the same. :)) But it looks really slick. ;)

[@omariomariomario1194]

@@freudhamalia1791 if it was done with pine and black paint it would look cheap.

[@letmetellyousomething123]

As an artist I know how important a good frame is to the Artwork. Great job.

[@runway12]

omg ! ! ! what an insane amount of work to build a frame ! ! ! i had no idea that this process was so complicated ! ! ! a super professional result but this video really wants me to make a video to show make a floating frame in a much more easy way ! ! !

[@OmaStudioArt]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIG4f5mVgsqkpcU&ab_channel=LeftBrainedArtist

[@primemover7898]

Thank you for the video. This is the first videos I found that explained how to build picture frames. This vid has some good tips and tricks. excellent narration

[@lesliemctavish4300]

Your video is about the 5th on floating frames that I watched. You have helped me alot. I do need to build a floating frame, but I have only a miter saw. After watching 5 videos, I think I can do it without a shop, but I will have to be selective with tools because I'm tight on cash. It costs a lot to have someone build it, but from your video, I can see that it would be worth it.

[@brentmiller3250]

Those are frames you can really be proud of! And lots of great tips. First rate.

[@karolenicholson3808]

This video is so well done, thank you for sharing your process, you are a true craftsman/artist!

[@RedBairnMedia]

Love that blackened walnut process. Beautiful finish.

[@Mark_L]

Great video. All I need to make a few frames for some paintings my wife is after me to frame. Simple when someone shows you the complete process. Thanks😊

[@severinedellaporta2760]

The level of detail on the the tips and tricks is invaluable. Many thanks!

[@robertcochran7103]

Thank you very much for this. It helps me understand what a float frame is and how such a frame is constructed.

[@piotrtarkowski8595]

Mars Black is slow drying paint. If you add siccative it will be dry in few hours ( you can get it in any store with paint, higher quality in shops for artists, add just a tiny drop to 100ml paint, it’s very potent oil drying agent). You can also mix tiny amount of Burnt Umber paint instead, it will affect the tone a little bit but since it’s quickly drying color it will work good too.

[@ericyocom7932]

This is perfect timing, Michael. A friend did a large canvas acrylic painting of the Grand Canyon a while back. When I saw a picture of a floating canvas frame, I immediately fell in love with the look. Now I know how to do it...so thank you!! Love your content and your approach for teaching what you know.

[@MichaelAlm]

Hey Eric! That Awesome! Let me know how it goes

[@mbrock5532]

Great video, and timely for me. Before we met, my wife bought an original oil painting, and over the years, the stretcher warped, so one corner of the picture sticks out from the wall and looks kind of stupid. But, the cost to have it restretched is ridiculous as is the cost of a custom frame. This will be PERFECT for it to not only make it look better, but fix the warp without spending hundreds of dollars for stretching. Thanks for a good, clear video!

[@MichaelAlm]

Happy to help!! Good luck with the project

[@josiecapps2555]

I’m a painter and make my own frames..let me tell you, yours are a whole lot nicer than mine. And that’s ok with me. When people ask me about the frames, I just say, I made them. I usually paint them a complementary of a color in the painting and hand rub finish. I enjoy doing this. Yours are beautiful! Thanks

[@squalematic]

Such gorgeous frames, and so cleverly built. I've watched this video twice now, as I plan to follow your instructions and build one for myself. Thank you!

[@MichaelAlm]

So happy to hear that! Have fun building it!

[@ladykenja2700]

- Quality is what we expect from your videos & it's ALWAYS there, totally. Thanx 4 sharing.

[@CeciliaMM]

Art inside, art outside. Great work. Thank you for sharing.

[@tarlierussell1769]

This made me appreciate this so much more. Although I couldn’t do this myself. I went out for quotes for framers for some of my canvases and could they my head around the cost. Now I understand why. So much effort in the process. Thanks for sharing.

[@robertphillips3992]

I have used your method on the last three frames, the instructions are easy, straight forward and produce excellent results. Thank you for taking the time to produce this video.

[@monicamccoy179]

How long did it take you?

[@robertphillips3992]

@@monicamccoy179 , if you take out glue drying time and dry time for top coat, maybe 2-3 hours.

[@leahhorvat4946]

Stunning result! Beautiful work! BRAVO!!!

[@CypressVintage]

Beautifully done! Clean look without obsessing over small things.

[@chrisgriffith1573]

Best video I've seen on framing. By either workworkers, or artists!

[@nunofarizo]

I love your dedication to this. The results show your love for the craft

[@geraldjoseph8007]

A fantastic video Michael. The video was thorough, easy to follow, loaded with great tips (especially removing the paintings from the shop) and encouraging to the viewer. You can do it................Thanks.

[@davebauerart]

The frames look great! I learned quite a bit, I haven't seen this type before. The blackened walnut just got even more walnutty! Beautiful.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Dave! Yeah, people freak out when you say you're going to stain walnut, but sometimes it makes it look even better 😉

[@jshauer8272]

Wow, I want all my art hung like this! Now all I need is ummm wood, tools, machines, and glue! You are amazing, thank you for sharing!! I will keep to the art creation and find someone much more capable for the framing😀

[@smudgybuzz]

Having watched a couple of theses videos now, I appreciate the structural integrity of the frames you made: splines, a ledge to hold the strainer, and pocket screws for the strainer. The other ones are held entirely with glue.

[@michaelbedell6523]

Excellent presentation, where upon I subscribed. I just held my breath in the beginning when the canvases were laid faced down on your work table. Playing cards can also be used as spacers.

[@katyp855]

These are exactly what I want for one of my large paintings now to find someone in my area (Australia) to make it. You are such a precise craftsman, I appreciate your work ethics ✨

[@cjjersey2455]

Katy Pryde: Although these are beautifully made and finished, you can buy this type of already-made frame. I’m not sure if paying someone to make them would cost more or less. My first husband was a picture framer, so I just needed to consider the cost of materials. After we separated and he moved to another state, I almost fainted at the estimate for a frame (about $250 in the early 1980s) for something I was hoping to sell for about $250 and I was sure would not be purchase for $500, even framed. At that point, I started to create only art that would fit standard-sized mats (if needed) and standard-sized frames. I buy them from several suppliers in the US. Because I stick mostly to several standard sizes, I can stock up when there is a sale. I often look through my mats and frames before starting a drawing or painting, then create with colors that will look good with them. Or, I hold onto paintings until there is a sale so I can choose the colors I want. (I live in an area where art doesn’t bring high prices, so I have to save where I can.) Sometimes I sell my work matted and shrink-wrapped or in an archival plastic sleeve with a label on the back stating it will fit a standard frame of a specific size. That way people can buy something rather inexpensively, then later buy a pre-made frame anywhere.

[@katyp855]

@@cjjersey2455 thanks for sharing your story. My dad was a picture framer and if I knew I was going to be needing to make frames then I would have kept his very expensive equipment. Unfortunately the canvas is rather large and there is no option for a "ready made" frame. I have been looking into this for some time and have already sourced a framer in my area. The cost is reasonable as my art piece is worth a couple of thousand so a couple of hundred dollars is an investment as it will frame my canvas perfectly. Most of my art works are on double edged canvases but this one is thinner and won't sit flush on the wall. A frame is a must. Thanks for you input though.

[@KatLiepinsArt]

Really great tutorial, Michael! It took me back to happy times building frames in my college painting courses.😊 I also really appreciate your super careful approach to all of the details. PERFECTION!

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Kat!

[@dianeschmid6296]

Your shop is a dream; so clean and organized! This video had me mesmerized. You have great talent. Thank you!

[@natlisan]

Gorgeous frames!!!!!!!The craftsmanship is impeccable!!!!!!!!

[@claclako]

It's so therapeutic to watch you work. Love how thorough your explanations are!

[@jennieanddavis]

The blackened walnut looks SOOOOO nice! Great work, man.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks!!

[@AnnaYV]

I absolutely love these! The quality is perfect! And that blackened walnut though 😲😍!!

[@57026joel]

Great job on these floating frames wow

[@DanielinLaTuna]

I save those Talenti gelato containers too. They’re so nice, and come in handy

[@mondexbop]

Incredible craftsmanship and finished product.You're an artist yourself.Bravo!

[@ken-e-ken]

I tried this and learned a lot. I’m a very novice woodworker with a miter saw but without a table saw. First time making a frame. I would not recommend this way of making a floating frame if you’re a beginner like me unless you’re obsessive, like a challenge, and are willing to put in a lot of time (also like me). Some basics that are assumed in the video: make sure you’re using straight, flat, good quality pieces of wood. The warped and bowed crap you get at big box stores will cause you endless headaches and rework. Also make sure your miter blade is sharp, has many fine teeth and is calibrated to be exactly 45 degrees x 90 degrees. Bad miters are the most crazy-making thing in the world! The accuracy of the inner strainer dims must fit exactly so don’t skimp on the details there either. 😢 Btw, I managed to cut spline slots with a jig and a handsaw, but it was a lot of work. In the end very happy with the result. I’m now also very motivated to buy a table saw!! 😊

[@parisasun2541]

I appreciate the video. Very clear instructions. I actually love that look in galleries. Thank you.

[@gregkieser1157]

Some great tips Michael - thank you. My wife is a painter and as a consequence I am now the family “framer”......cheers...Greg

[@MichaelAlm]

Sure thing!! Glad it’s helpful 👍

[@carolsherman9817]

Very impressive. Very thorough with detail explanations. Love it. Thank you.

[@eileenoconnorfineart]

Wow! What a pro. Such a clear and detailed explanation. Thank you.

[@1967solomon]

Thank you. This was the perfect tutorial for a picture frame project I have in mind. Very thorough & easy to understand process. One small suggestion I would like to make is when you added the squares against the inside corners (to ensure you have 90 degrees) you might want to tape the squares with a packing tape. If not, they might stick to the frames due to the squeezed out glue. Thanks again.

[@ecooper4870]

Very smart! Thanks for excellent teaching of an important spatial thinking skill. I too will hire a wood worker.

[@tehaunuiart]

That was amazing. Perfect direction and simple clear instructions. Thank you so much. I’m gonna make these for my paintings.

[@andreaandrea6716]

Wow. Beautiful, beautiful job! Well done. You really honoured the paintings. (And those are stunning paintings! It was a joy to see them receive such gorgeous frames).

[@johnvu7570]

Your video helps someone who has many tools as you have. Untfornutanately not everyone has well-equipped workshop

[@stephencrozier2194]

as a picture framer, I make very large numbers of frames a month. this process is very cool, although waaaay to slow to be able to make good money from. I have a float frame moulding milled from iroko and use a similar setup but use a Hoffman jointer to join the miners and the moulding is milled with a 10mm thick platform for the strainer, this allows us to staple the the strainer in and also means the strainer isnt seen at all which mens dont have to paint it. really like the blackened walnut, although couldn't afford to wait a week for it to dry :-)

[@sylvievicenza179]

I am a picky person, you wowed me! very good video, you explain and work so well. merci

[@k.b.woodworker3250]

Excellent video!! thank you! floater frames in my future. The spacers look like a great way to center the canvas. Will def try this.

[@mytvsettowatch]

A good reminder of why I should let to professionals do their job. Excellent video! :)

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks! Working in the frame business it was hard to explain why frames are expensive without showing the process that goes into them. Thanks for watching!

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

Talenti jars. Excellent for repurposing in the work/craft room. Great tutorial.

[@danam664]

I really appreciate this video demonstration. I have a canvas that needs to be framed. Firstly though I have to stretch it onto a frame.

[@frasertones8519]

Lot's of great tips! Especially "Don't Die". I'll work on that, thank you.

[@thomascooke2570]

I love how you say simple. Nice work Lad

[@jim7smith]

Very well done, I have never seen this technique before, but I have some canvases I framed years ago and I think I might revise some of them.

[@wilsonlin1711]

I am a professional artist. I was in love by seeing this video. The care ! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@OtDawn]

Lol you might have a handy finger tool 5:09, but there's no beating the original 9:03, you can't lose them. Really cool frames, well done.

[@dawlin20]

Wow great work Michael. Your genius and charisma never cease to amaze me.

[@MichaelAlm]

Dawlin20 you're too kind 😜

[@scottyhughes9179]

nice work. I love that blackened walnut.

[@michelleschry1255]

Talenti gelato containers are my favorite workshop tool. Great project!

[@olejohnson5159]

I've always wonder why floating frames are expensive, now I know. i was here in the hopes of learning to make one myself, but I don't think I could after watching this video. very skilled man indeed.

[@alangeorgebarstow]

This is a fairly sophisticated technique but it need not be. You can make floating frames out of old pallet wood in a much simpler manner. Those methods are shown on a good number of KZbin videos. Have faith and go for it.

[@olejohnson5159]

@@alangeorgebarstow yeah I've seen simpler ways of making it now.

[@debratalbert]

I came to the same conclusion--i did not realize how detailed this process was. Now when the framer quotes what seems like A LOT of money, I will understand why!

[@catclark9488]

So professionally done and with such attention to detail!

[@jcarli8501]

I like your workshop, all tidy and functional. Loved all the hacks to cut, drill and hold, invaluable lessons that will be reproduced anytime soon ! The video is great, super editing and voice over. It's a whole brilliant job. Thank you, Michael.

[@quratulainkhan4559]

I could never understand why framing is so expensive. Now I do. So talented!

[@vernonsteinkamp1088]

Great job. I'm an artist and enjoy being creative in making all my frames.

[@danielbentley7117]

I'm so impressed by the level of craftsmanship displayed on KZbin by relatively young dudes. Still can't understand inches though! I wish there were subtitles in metric on American videos so the rest of the world could understand your measurements!

[@johnprice866]

There are videos on conversion to help you understand.

[@danielbentley7117]

@@johnprice866 Obviously I know how to convert, it's just much easier when the data is presented immediately so non-Americans have an immediate grasp of the measurements in their heads without having to add an extra step for conversion.

[@MichaelAlm]

Hey Daniel, I hear you. I did that in a couple of videos, but keep on forgetting about it. I'll keep it in mind for future projects. Thanks!

[@danielbentley7117]

@@MichaelAlm Thanks Michael !!! Much appreciated. Keep up the solid content :)

[@demzaber9969]

Can you do a walkthrough of your workshop? and all the equipments and accessories you do. would really love that.

[@mrfudd13]

Great video - thanks. One note for what it may be worth: I've been told by more than one expert they use a center-line to wall mount several paintings, not top or bottom alignment.

[@penguinista]

Wow, you really hooked your friend up! Those look really great. Excellent video. Thank. you.

Hello. Great frames. It's a nice technique. good idea. The biggest thing is to always do innovative work and help people with ideas. Congratulations. Thank you for sharing....

[@tylerhmiel6417]

Love the white Tee. Nice design

[@rosaana6190]

Absolutely fantastic ! I understand now how they’re made. Regards from Singapore !

[@laurielyon7740]

Excellent presentation. And what a wonderful shop you have.

[@FrontonistasTV]

In Mexico, walnut is one of the most valuable and expensive woods that you can find (and personally the most beautiful), I was shock when I saw the black paint coming to the table....