Whether it’s more character to your walls or finding a way to use all those coloring pages, placing your art in your home is an empowering experience. Turning coloring pages into the beginnings of a gallery with simple and affordable frames, neutral backdrops, string banners, hand-crafted collages, and even mood lighting are only but a handful of available options when curating a personal art gallery of your coloring work. Find pride in your accomplishment and place all that wonderful coloring work on the wall!
First of all, if your coloring page is in a book or sketch pad, you’ll need to fish it out of the book. Fingers crossed that the book you have comes with perforated edges. The guided and pre-punched tear lines are immensely helpful in getting a clean tear and avoiding any asymmetrical or rough edges on the bound side of the paper. Pro-tip, fold the paper along the perforated edge in both directions before tearing. The crease helps guide the tear into the perforation. The more consistent method of the two.
If the book doesn’t contain a perforated edge then it’s going to be a little riskier to get the page out. We recommend folding a crease on the bound side of the paper in both directions then with scissors and stead hands, cut along the crease line created from the folds, and metaphysically cross your fingers as you cut. This is where the arts-and-crafts skills come in handy. This is a more inconsistent method.
Frame It!
The most traditional means of going from page to portrait is to frame your art. Thankfully a swath of frames in all manner of price, material, and design variations exists so that pretty much anyone has easy access to a classy and clean-boarded look.
For a simple and easy option, plastic frames. Plastic frames are widely available in most departments or even grocery stores. These easy-to-use frames also come in the most common dimensions such as 8.5” x 11” the standard copy-paper size, as well as larger options including 11” x 14” or even 16” x 20”.
Most plastic frames come in either black, white or clear neutral tones that don’t distract the viewer from your prized art piece. Plastic frames can cost anywhere between $15.00 to $35.00, with prices reaching up to $75.00. We recommend checking out what MCS Industries has to offer in the way of frames. They have plenty of home decor options to show off your art and can be found both at their website as well as through amazon.com.
For a timeless, natural, crafted option, wood frames. Wood frames like plastic frames are also widely available, come in a multitude of common dimensions, and are typically between $20.00 to $40.00 with handcrafted wood frames running up to $85.00 or more depending on size. Additionally, the natural grain and tone of the wood support the art piece as opposed to distracting the viewer’s eye.
However, keep in mind that, unlike plastic frames, wood frames can be damaged from falls and drops.
For a durable contemporary option, metal frames. Metal frames are often sturdier plastic frames since they both come in a similarly wide variety of dimensions and color tones. Though the frame itself is sturdy, keep in mind that many metal frames also have a glass body where the picture lays which is both breakable and messy.
That said, Metal frames offer stunning gold and sleek silver options as well to add a touch of class to your picture! Frames can cost anywhere between $15.00 on the low end and $50.00 on the higher end.
For a clear and classy option, glass or acrylic frames. Glass and/or acrylic frames offer a borderless protective case to keep your art safe from dust while letting the picture be free of visual confines. An acrylic block frame is also a great option for adding dimension to your picture without becoming too bulky. However, most blocks are a compact size and it’s difficult to find acrylic blocks that exceed the common 8.5” x 11” without spending upwards of $80.00 to $90.00 on a 16” 20” acrylic frame. Please keep in mind that though the acrylic frames can survive a drop or two, glass frames are fragile and dangerous when damaged.
Backdrops
Backdrops can be used either in conjunction with a frame or stand-alone without a frame. Similar to frames, backgrounds come in a multitude of materials and often prioritize neutral or natural tones so as not to distract or distort the art presented in the foreground.
- Paper backdrops are a great affordable option for raising your picture without committing to a hard border. Simply tear off a sheet of butcher paper available at just about any local art store, and you’re done. Glue or tape your picture to the background paper and place the whole thing on your wall to show off! The best part about a paper background is that you have the options of classic black, white, and brown backdrop tones as well as any color of paper you can find. Green backdrops, yellow backdrops, and purple backdrops are all available choices beyond standard backdrop tones.
- Metal backdrops are sturdy and offer more visual texture to your backdrop as opposed to a flat paper look. Stainless steel, silver, and even aluminum options often provide a natural sheen to the backdrop that paper and wood backdrops cannot produce. However, keep in mind a metal backdrop will run up to $80.00 or more for larger pieces and can be a pain to hang without the right tools.
- Wood backdrops are similar to metal backdrops, wood backdrops offer a visual texture due to the natural wood grain. However, wood backgrounds are pretty limited in color options and sizes, and like metal, backgrounds can be heavy which poses more obstacles when it comes to hanging the art. That said, the natural wood is a timeless look of authenticity that no other backdrop can emulate.
Create a Collage!
Have a lot of art that requires the attention of many eyes? Create a collage! Collages can be framed or unframed and can go either directly up on the wall or onto a background before being presented. Additionally, if you are both artsy and crafty this may be a more stimulating process and presentation.
Creating a collage also allows you the most amount of creative freedom and artistic choice without relying on any specific product. Anything goes when it comes to creating a collage, mash together a lot of little pieces, space out a few large pieces, or mix and match a variety lot of picture sizes and subjects. The best part of making a personal collage is that you’re encouraged to color more art to keep the collage growing!
Art Banners!
Art Banners are another great option for displaying multiple pieces like a collage without mashing everything together. All you need is a paper punch, and string or hemp rope! By punching two holes in the top of the picture — ideally outside of the color area — and weaving a string through, you can connect multiple art pieces and hang them to show off your art as a selection of crests or banners worthy of anyone’s eyes!
Mood Lighting!
Looking to impress yourself and the imaginary real crowds of aficionados coming to the viewing night of your exhibit… add some mood lighting! Picture lighting is wall-mounted LED lights that shine a spotlight on your art. Available in both battery and plug-in options, picture lighting can cost as low as $30.00 through Amazon, or up to $375.00 for an 18-inch wall mount light through experts such as Lumens Light and Living.
Gallery or Shrine?
A gallery is one thing, but if you’re looking to create a cult following, or maybe you’re in a cult (hopefully a fun and safe cult) then the shrine is the only option. False idols and all, a shrine may require the most work, but for the biggest payoff. Who else can show off their masterpieces like you when you’re perfectly blended and complexly graded flowers are presented upon an altar with incense and votive candles?
Show off your art with an 11” wooden art-presenting easel available for under $10.00 through online retailers. Stand your presentation on a table-cloth-covered coffee table and you have yourself a shrine! Add some $12.00 votive candles and any collection of TY Beanie Baby you have on hand, and voila! My freaky friend, you have a personal art shrine! Go one step further by including a little background music rooted in a moody Norah Jones or a sultry Patrice Rushen for a full viewing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I place my art in the house?
Honestly anywhere, but some traditional spaces to show off your hard work could be a hallway connecting rooms, a living room turned foyer, or even the bathroom converted to an art lobby… well that might be a little weird, but you get the idea. Any space is a perfect place to locate the home of your art!
Am I being egotistical for hanging my art?
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