THE PSYCHOLOGY OF COLOUR: WHAT COLOUR MAT BOARD AND FRAME DO I NEED?

Choosing the Perfect Frame and Mat Board Colours

When it comes to framing artwork and photographs, the choice of frame and mat board colours can significantly influence the visual appeal and emotional impact of the piece. 

Understanding the psychology of colour can enhance your framing decisions and help you make your artwork or photographs really stand out. 

Let’s delve into the psychology of colour, its influence on mat board colours, and how the right colour choice can transform your framed pieces.

What is colour psychology and how does it affect artwork?

Colour psychology is the study of how colours affect our emotions and behaviours. Different colours evoke specific feelings, moods and psychological reactions. 

Understanding these effects can help you decide what colour mat board and framing style to use to best enhance your artwork or photograph.

For example, here are some common colours and the psychological effects they can bring to a photograph or piece of artwork:

• Red: Often associated with energy, passion and excitement, a red mat board is a great choice when the aim is to grab attention and create a sense of thrill and passion.
• Blue: Known for its calming and serene effects, blue is often linked to feelings of trust and tranquility, and is an excellent choice when you want to project professionalism or create a relaxed feel in your environment. 
• Yellow: A bright and cheerful colour, yellow can evoke feelings of happiness and optimism, making it an ideal mat board choice when you want to encourage positive energy in your photographs or artwork. 
• Green: Associated with nature, growth and harmony, green often brings a sense of balance and calm. It’s also calming on the eye, making it a great choice for a mat board if you want to create a gentle, soothing space.
• Purple: Linked to creativity and luxury, purple can add a touch of elegance and sophistication.
• Black: Conveys power, elegance and formality. When deciding what colour mat board to go with, black can be perfect if you want something sleek and timeless.
• White: Represents purity, simplicity and cleanliness. It can create a fresh and modern look, and can draw greater emphasis to the content of a photograph or artwork.

What role does mat board colour play in framing?

The colour of the mat board plays a crucial role in framing as it can either enhance or detract from the contents of the artwork or photograph. 

Choosing the right colour helps to highlight specific elements, create a desired mood, and ensure the piece stands out. By contrast, a poor choice in matboard colour can make the artwork or photograph appear less cohesive against the frame. 

Here are some elements to consider when deciding what colour mat board to go with:

• Enhancement: Your choice of mat board colour can highlight the dominant hues in the artwork, making those elements more prominent.
• Contrast: Using a contrasting coloured matboard can bring a photograph or artwork into sharp focus and immediately capture a viewer’s interest.
• Mood Creation: Colours can set the tone for the piece, enhancing the emotional response of the viewer. For example, warm colours like yellow or red can produce a happy, energised mood, whereas white or green will have a more calming effect.
• Cohesion: The right colour matboard can unify the artwork with its frame, creating a harmonious display.

At Portfolio Picture Framers, we consider all of these elements when providing our clients with advice on selecting the right matboard for their artwork or photograph they are getting professionally framed. To learn more about our tailored approach, head over to our custom framing page. 

How the right mat board colour can transform your artwork

Choosing the right colour for your mat board plays a major role in drawing the viewer’s attention to your piece and enhancing the aesthetics of your frame. 

For example, if you wanted to frame a landscape piece, a light coloured mat board could help draw attention to certain features of the piece; whereas a matboard colour that contrasts with the colours of your piece might be ideal if you want to create a striking visual effect. To help fuel your imagination, here are some inspiring colour choices you can go with:  

White and neutral tones

White and neutral tones are clean, classic and versatile. They create a sense of simplicity and elegance, making them ideal for a wide range of artworks and photographs. 

These colours do not compete with the artwork; rather they allow it to be the focus of attention. Neutral tones also provide a timeless look that suits both contemporary and traditional pieces.

Black and dark hues

Black and dark hues bring an element of elegance, drama and sophistication. They are perfect for creating a striking contrast that draws attention to the artwork. 

Dark mat board colours can also add depth and richness, making them ideal for black and white photographs and modern art. However, they should be used carefully to avoid overwhelming the piece.

Bright and bold colours

Bright and bold colours are energetic, vibrant and attention-grabbing. They can inject life and energy into your artwork, making them suitable mat board colours for both contemporary and abstract pieces. 

Brighter colours also do an excellent job of highlighting specific elements within the artwork, likeaccent colours. When used thoughtfully, they can make a powerful statement.

Pastels and soft colours

Pastels and soft colours are calm, soothing and gentle. They create a sense of tranquility and are perfect for artwork and photographs that convey a peaceful or sentimental mood. 

Additionally, these colours can enhance the delicate details of the piece without overshadowing them. For this reason, when framing portraits and serene landscapes, pastels and soft colours are an excellent mat board choice.

For information on choosing the perfect frame style for your artwork, read our previous blog.

Tips for choosing complementary mat board and frame colours

Deciding what colour mat board to go with can be challenging. Here are some tips to inspire your creativity and help you choose the right colour for your piece: 

• Contemporary art:If you’re aiming to create a modern look, consider pairing bright and bold mat board colours with sleek, black frames.
• Traditional art: Use neutral tones with ornate, gold or wooden frames to create a timeless appeal.
• Abstract art: Experiment with contrasting colours between matboard and frame to generate a striking visual that highlights the dynamic nature of the piece.
• Photographic art: Combine dark hues with metallic frames to enhance the depth and richness of photographs.

Custom matboard and framing solutions by Portfolio Picture Framers

The right mat board colour does more than just complement your artwork or photograph; it enhances its visual appeal and creates emotional resonance with the viewer. 

Whether you’re framing a valuable piece of art or a cherished family photo, you’re not alone in choosing the ideal mat board. 

Our team of experts at Portfolio Picture Framers is here to make sure your artwork or photograph gets the frame style and mat board colour it deserves, so contact us today and discover the difference professional framing can make.