Key Points to Remember

Point 1 - Your portrait's overall color theme should blend with or complement the room's color palette. Keep in mind the decorative intent of the room in which you plan to display your portraits when you consider its style. This will help to set the portrait's tone and guide you in selecting appropriate clothing, accessories, and setting.

Point 2 - Appropriately sized portraits are ones that dominates the space in which they hang, but do not appear to be crowding that space. Be sure to establish whether the space lends itself better to a vertical or horizontal composition.

Point 3 - Framing provides "the finishing touch" to fine portraiture. Select a frame that complements the image and accents the room's furnishings, not one that distracts from the subject matter.

Point 4 - Whether your portrait is an accessory or the room's focal point, placement is critical. All elements of design - color, style, composition, and size - must work together to complete the decorative statement.