When a painting sells, that's a wonderful moment. But sometimes what happens next is just as special.
When Venetian Blue — a small, atmospheric oil painting capturing the deep luminous blues of a Venetian canal — found its new owner, the collector knew immediately that she wanted something more than a standard frame. She wanted a frame that told its own story.
Venetian Blue is an intimate work. At first glance it's quiet, almost understated — but spend a moment with it and the depth of the colour draws you in. The ancient walls, the still water, the particular quality of Venetian light. It's the kind of painting that makes you feel you've been there.
Its new owner felt exactly that. And she knew that for a painting so rooted in the spirit of Venice, only one kind of frame would do.
Rather than choosing from a catalogue, we took the painting to Smithbrook Kilns — a wonderful local picture framer based near the studio — where the team photographed the painting and uploaded it digitally against a wide range of frame options, allowing the collector to see exactly how each one would look before making her choice.
It's a process we'd recommend to anyone buying an original painting. Seeing your artwork against twenty different frames — from simple and contemporary to richly ornate — changes everything. You discover what the painting is asking for, rather than guessing.
She chose an ornate, gilded Venetian-style frame — deeply carved, richly detailed, the kind of frame you might find around a painting in the Accademia in Venice itself. It was a bold choice, and it was absolutely right. The frame didn't compete with the painting; it completed it, honouring both the subject and the collector's own love of Venice.
Most of the original paintings at Fine Art Collective are sold unframed — and that's intentional. Framing is deeply personal. The right frame depends on your wall, your room, your taste, and the painting itself. What works beautifully in one home might feel wrong in another.
If you're local to Surrey, we'd encourage you to do exactly what our Ve
netian Blue collector did — take your painting to Smithbrook Kilns and let their team help you find the perfect match. It's a genuinely enjoyable process, and the result is a work of art that feels completely at home.
If you're further afield, most good independent picture framers offer a similar service. It's always worth seeking out a specialist rather than a high-street chain — the difference in quality and advice is significant.
If you'd love an original painting by Lesley Blackburn — with or without framing guidance — we'd love to hear from you. Lesley accepts bespoke commissions, and every piece is a unique, one-of-a-kind original painted to your specifications.
Get in touch to start the conversation.
