How Do You Measure A Painting: A Guide

Can you measure a painting in centimeters and inches? Yes, you can measure a painting in both centimeters and inches.

Measuring a painting is more than just knowing its physical size; it’s a crucial step for collectors, artists, galleries, and anyone involved in the art world. Whether you’re buying, selling, displaying, or insuring a piece, accurate artwork measurements are essential. This guide will walk you through the process, covering everything from the basics of painting dimensions to specific considerations for different mediums and situations.

How Do You Measure A Painting
Image Source: www.frameiteasy.com

Why Measuring Art Matters

Knowing the exact art size of a painting is fundamental for several reasons:

Framing: The most common reason people need to measure art is for framing. A frame needs to fit the canvas size precisely. Incorrect measurements can lead to ill-fitting frames, wasted materials, and a less polished final look.
Shipping and Handling: When shipping artwork, especially internationally, precise dimensions are needed for calculating shipping costs, determining appropriate packaging, and ensuring safe transport.
Insurance and Valuation: For insurance purposes or when valuing a piece for sale, the size of the artwork is a significant factor. Galleries and auction houses will always require detailed artwork measurements.
Hanging and Display: To plan wall space, create gallery walls, or ensure a painting fits a specific location, you need its picture size guide information.
Documentation: For inventory, catalogs, or digital archiving, consistent and accurate measurements are vital for professional presentation.
Commissions and Reproductions: If you’re commissioning a piece or ordering prints, the print dimensions or original painting dimensions are the starting point.

Essential Tools for Measuring Art

To accurately measure a painting, you’ll need a few simple tools:

Measuring Tape: A flexible measuring tape is ideal. Metal tapes are durable, but fabric or fiberglass tapes can be easier to handle for larger pieces and are less likely to scratch the artwork.
Ruler: For smaller paintings or details, a sturdy ruler can be useful.
Pen and Paper/Digital Device: To record your measurements.
Gloves (Optional but Recommended): Cotton or nitrile gloves protect the artwork from oils and dirt on your hands.

Mastering Basic Art Measurement Techniques

The fundamental principle of how to measure art is straightforward: measure the width and height. However, there are nuances to consider.

Measuring Paintings with Frames

When a painting is already framed, you’ll typically measure the outer dimensions of the frame.

Steps for Measuring a Framed Painting:

Lay the painting on a flat surface. Ensure the frame is stable.
Measure the width: Place the measuring tape at the leftmost edge of the frame and extend it to the rightmost edge. Record this measurement.
Measure the height: Place the measuring tape at the top edge of the frame and extend it to the bottom edge. Record this measurement.
Measure the depth (optional but useful): For hanging or stacking purposes, measure the thickness of the frame from the wall-facing side to the front.

Important Note: When framing a painting, you usually need the inner dimensions of the frame (the opening size), not the outer dimensions. This means you might need to remove the painting from its frame, or measure the visible artwork and add the frame’s border width. For buying a frame, you’ll need the canvas size or the size of the artwork itself.

Measuring Unframed Paintings (Canvas or Board)

Measuring an unframed painting is simpler, but care must be taken not to damage the artwork.

Steps for Measuring an Unframed Painting:

Handle with care: If possible, wear gloves.
Place on a flat surface: Lay the painting on a clean, flat area.
Measure the width: Measure the widest part of the painting from left to right.
Measure the height: Measure the tallest part of the painting from top to bottom.

Consistency is Key: Always measure from the outermost edge to the outermost edge for both width and height.

Units of Measurement

Inches: Commonly used in the United States.
Centimeters: Standard in most other parts of the world.

It’s good practice to measure in both units or be prepared to convert. For example, a painting might be 24 inches by 36 inches, which is approximately 61 cm by 91 cm.

Advanced Measurement Considerations

Beyond the basic width and height, several factors can influence how you measure and record artwork measurements.

Measuring Irregularly Shaped Art

Some artworks aren’t perfect rectangles.

Measuring Non-Rectangular Art:

Bounding Box: For irregularly shaped pieces, you can measure the dimensions of the smallest rectangle that would contain the entire artwork. This is often referred to as the bounding box.
Key Dimensions: Note any unique features. For example, if a painting has a prominent artistic element extending beyond a typical rectangular form, you might measure the overall width and height, and then also note the specific protrusion.
Circumference or Perimeter: For truly abstract or freeform pieces, you might consider the perimeter, though this is less common for standard display and framing.

Measuring Very Large Paintings

Larger artworks require a bit more planning.

Tips for Measuring Large Art:

Two People: It’s often easier and safer to have a second person assist.
Longer Tape Measure: Use a tape measure that can comfortably span the entire width and height.
Support: Ensure the painting is well-supported and won’t sag or warp during measurement.
Marking Points: For extreme accuracy, you might use a pencil to lightly mark the exact start and end points on a backing board or protective cover if possible, then measure between those marks.

Measuring Paintings on Different Surfaces

The material of the artwork can influence how you measure.

Canvas Size vs. Panel Size:

Canvas: Typically measured by the outer edge of the stretched canvas. If the canvas is unframed, you measure the fabric itself. If it’s framed, you measure the frame (as discussed).
Wood Panel or Board: Measured like unframed paintings. Be mindful of any raised edges or uneven surfaces.

Measuring Prints and Reproductions

When dealing with prints, you often need to measure the paper size and the image size separately.

Measuring Print Dimensions:

Paper Size: This is the overall size of the paper the print is on. Measure from edge to edge.
Image Size: This is the actual size of the printed artwork itself. This is important for matting and framing. You’ll measure the visible printed area.
Print Border: The space between the image and the paper edge is the border. You might measure this border width separately.

Example: A print might be on 16×20 inch paper, but the actual image might be 12×18 inches with a 2-inch border on all sides.

Practical Applications of Measuring Art

Let’s look at how these measurements are used in real-world scenarios.

Framing a Painting: What Dimensions Matter?

When you’re framing a painting, the most critical measurements are those of the artwork itself (the canvas size or panel size), not the external frame dimensions.

Key Measurements for Framing:

Artwork Width: The width of the canvas or panel.
Artwork Height: The height of the canvas or panel.
Artwork Depth/Thickness: The depth of the canvas stretcher bars or the panel. This is crucial for selecting the correct frame “rabbet” (the groove that holds the artwork) depth.
Mat Board Opening: If you plan to use a mat, you’ll need the artwork dimensions to create the opening in the mat. The mat itself has outer dimensions that fit the frame.

Pro Tip: For framing a painting, always provide the exact artwork measurements to your framer. If you’re buying a pre-made frame, you’ll be looking for a frame that fits your canvas size. For example, if your painting is 16×20 inches, you’d look for a 16×20 inch frame.

Measuring Artwork for Sale

When measuring artwork for sale, clarity and accuracy build trust with potential buyers.

What to Include in Sale Listings:

Title of Artwork:
Artist:
Medium: (e.g., oil on canvas, acrylic on board, watercolor on paper)
Dimensions (Height x Width): Always list in that order. Specify units (inches or cm).
Framed Dimensions (if applicable): If the artwork is framed, provide the outer dimensions of the frame.
Edition Size (for prints): (e.g., Artist Proof, limited edition of 50)
Image Size vs. Paper Size (for prints): This is especially important for limited edition prints.

Example Listing Detail:

Title: Sunset Over the Hills
Artist: Jane Doe
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 24″ H x 36″ W (unframed)
Framed Dimensions: 28″ H x 40″ W

Example Listing Detail (Print):

Title: City Lights
Artist: John Smith
Medium: Archival Pigment Print
Dimensions: 12″ H x 18″ W (Image Size); 16″ H x 20″ W (Paper Size)
Edition: Limited Edition of 100

Displaying Art: Using Your Picture Size Guide

When planning where to hang art, your measurements are key.

Planning Your Display:

Wall Space Calculation: Measure the available wall space.
Artwork Placement: Use your picture size guide to visualize how pieces will fit. Consider leaving space between artworks for a balanced look.
Eye Level: The general rule of thumb is to hang artwork so the center of the piece is at eye level, typically around 57-60 inches (145-152 cm) from the floor. Your measurements will help you position pieces accurately.
Gallery Walls: When creating a gallery wall, lay out your artwork on the floor first, using your measurements to arrange them pleasingly before marking the wall.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Measuring

Even with simple tools, errors can occur.

Pitfalls in Art Measurement:

Measuring Over the Frame: Unless you’re selling the framed piece as-is, this is usually incorrect for framing the artwork itself.
Not Measuring in Both Directions: Always measure width AND height.
Inconsistent Units: Mixing inches and centimeters without clear labeling.
Sloppy Measurements: Not pulling the tape measure taut or misreading the numbers.
Ignoring Irregularities: Assuming all art is perfectly rectangular.
Not Accounting for Canvas Wrap: If a canvas has a thick wrap, the outer edge of the fabric might be slightly larger than the image area.
Damaging the Artwork: Forcing the tape measure or placing it on delicate painted surfaces without protection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some common questions about measuring art:

Q1: How do I measure a painting that’s already framed and I don’t want to take it out?
A1: Measure the outer dimensions of the frame from edge to edge for both width and height. If you need to know the artwork size for framing, you’ll need to estimate or consult the artist/gallery.

Q2: What’s the difference between canvas size and framed size?
A2: Canvas size refers to the dimensions of the fabric itself (or the panel it’s painted on). Framed size refers to the outer dimensions of the entire piece, including the frame.

Q3: Do I need to measure the thickness of the canvas?
A3: Yes, if you are framing a painting. The depth of the stretcher bars or panel is crucial for selecting a frame that will accommodate the artwork.

Q4: How do I measure a very large or heavy painting by myself?
A4: It’s best to get help from another person. If that’s not possible, use a long measuring tape and ensure the painting is securely supported. You might need to measure in sections and add them up carefully, or use a laser measure if precision is critical and you’re working alone.

Q5: What are the standard units for art measurements?
A5: The most common units are inches (primarily in the US) and centimeters (worldwide). It’s good practice to provide measurements in both units or clearly state which unit you are using.

Q6: When measuring prints, what are the most important dimensions?
A6: For prints, both the image size (the actual printed artwork) and the paper size (the overall dimensions of the paper) are important. This helps determine matting and framing choices.

Q7: How do I ensure my measurements are accurate for selling artwork online?
A7: Be precise. Measure carefully in both inches and centimeters. Double-check your numbers before listing. Clearly label which measurements refer to the unframed artwork and which refer to the framed piece, if applicable.

Conclusion

Accurate measurement is a foundational skill for anyone who interacts with art. Whether you’re an artist preparing your work for exhibition, a collector planning your display, or a buyer looking for the perfect frame, knowing how to measure art correctly ensures a smoother, more professional experience. By using the right tools and following these art measurement techniques, you can confidently handle the painting dimensions, canvas size, and overall art size of any piece. Remember, precision in measurement is a sign of respect for the artwork itself and for those who will handle or appreciate it in the future.