Acrylic on canvas panel

For acrylic paint on a canvas panel, you’ll want to use a frame with glass to protect your masterpiece. To frame acrylic paintings under glass, follow this:

1. Choose a frame that fits the panel. You can have a little bit of wiggle room here by using matting, but make sure your panel isn’t too snug in its new frame. 

2. If you’re using a store-bought frame unpack the frame; scissors work well to remove the back hinges. 

3. Put your painting in the frame and see how it’s going to look before closing the back. If you’re worried that the paint might stick to the glass, you can use matting as a barrier to stop this.

3. Once your painting looks good, you’ll need to secure the canvas panel, so it doesn’t move after hanging. Masking tape will work for this, so just tape the panel to the frame, either by using double sided tape or by sticking tape to the matting.

4. Pop the back on the frame, then your painting is ready for showing off!

Oil on canvas panel

If you’re wondering how to frame an oil painting, this is a little different for oils. Because oil paints are so thick, they need to “breathe” to dry completely, so it’s best to frame the canvas panel without glass. 

1. Grab your frame and remove any matting and glass. 

2. Pop in your canvas panel and use tape or glue to secure the panel to the frame if needed. 

3. Once your canvas panel sits well in the frame and looks good, it’s ready to hang!

4. Reassemble the frame (again scissors work well to remove and pop hinges back on). Then you’re ready to hang your masterpiece!

Whether you paint in acrylic or oils, canvas panels are great for painting on, so give it a whirl and then frame your masterpiece once you’re finished! 

Before you get the paints out, be sure to check out our canvas panels, or if you’re looking for more advice, check out our how-tos.