How to Frame Watercolor Paintings: Natella’s Approach

Artists have and will forever be at the heart of the Matboard.com community. Our team recently had the chance to sit down with the multi-talented Natella Libin, gaining a unique perspective into her passions, process, and upcoming projects. Our conversation with Natella below dives into her creative process from start to finish, covering topics like how to frame watercolor paintings, matting watercolor paintings, and the importance of investing in quality custom matboards.

How did you first discover your passion for your medium, and how has your unique style evolved over time?

I work with various mediums ranging from acrylics and oils to delicate watercolors. It was always hard for me to stick with one, while everyone was saying that you have to pick your niche and go with it. At one point in life I realized that in art, you should go with what your heart feels like and there is no such thing as socially “acceptable” ways to do art. That’s when I started branching out and trying new mediums and came to realize that I can, indeed, work in many mediums and present them all at the same time.

What is the most challenging aspect of working with your specific medium, and how do you overcome it?

When it comes to matting my artworks, 99.9% of the time it’s matting watercolor paintings. The most challenging part of watercolor is working fast and having no chance to make a mistake. Watercolor is an extremely fast-drying medium, transparent, and is buildable from light to dark only. It’s easy to ruin and almost impossible to fix, in comparison to oil and acrylics, which you not only can manipulate but also paint over. When I mastered watercolors, I realized that every other medium is now much easier to learn. 

Do you have any tools or materials that are must-haves in your studio? Why is matting watercolor paintings important? 

A kneaded eraser is an absolute must for sketching before watercolor painting, and when it comes to framing watercolors, you cannot do it without a mat. Watercolor artwork needs room to breathe and can’t touch the glass directly. That’s where the mat comes in to help — creating a subtle space in between the two, as well as enhancing the look of an artwork. 

When preparing your art for sale or exhibitions, what is your approach to matting and framing watercolor paintings?

I always order custom mats as I find conventional mat sizes not working well with my artworks. I also find it fun to color-match matting to a dominating color in my paintings. When it comes to frames, though, I go with a minimalistic style to focus the viewer’s attention on the artwork itself.

What advice would you give to emerging artists looking to sell at art shows or galleries?

Invest in good custom matboards and frames - you don’t want to depreciate the value of your artwork by using low-quality frames and mats. 

What’s next for Natella Libin? 

I am working on a few big murals, as well as a new series of 3-dimensional artworks that I will be revealing soon!

Natella Libin is a fine artist and muralist based in the Northeastern United States. Drawn to botanical motifs and the nuances of nature, her work dares to tell stories that are full of life and love. Natella’s comprehensive artistic process is from start to finish, from the first sketch to matting and framing, to pristine packaging. To keep up with Natella’s latest work and shop her originals, prints, bookmarks, and more, follow her on Instagram, connect with her on LinkedIn, or visit her website.

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