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Separate framing exam?

Kai Vanuffelen

Kai Vanuffelen

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Feilding 4702, Manawatu, North Island, New Zealand
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Kai Vanuffelen Pictureframer
I have read some posts regarding CPF and MCPF exams, which made me think.
Do we need a separate exam in between the CPF and MCPF Exam?
The reason for this is, that the CPF exam is a theoretical exam covering conservation/ preservation framing, but also techniques such as laminating and mounting/ gluing artwork to a board.

The MCPF exam covers all conservation work using the best materials and techniques, so wet-mounting artwork is not part of this exam.

What I am thinking of, is to have a basic framing exam covering non conservation techniques such as :
wet-mounting prints
pinning needlworks
stretching canvases over a strainer using staples
framing objects using non conservation methods such as gluing or screwing.

Some framers did not sit the CPF exam, as they stated, the exam had no practical element.
Conservation framing is nice, if you can get it, but many customers do not wish to pay extra and opt for lower price and non conservation techniques.

My idea is to have a framing exam, that looks more at presentability, than using the best materials and techniques to show customers, that yes, this framer knows the essential basics of framing.

The MCP exam does not rate the choice of color, type of frame as important, but I think, this can be covered in a basic framing exam. There is no use of framing a university degree with a black mat and pink frame.

Is there an appetite for a basic practical framing exam among us framers?
 
I would disagree strongly about the CPF not having a practical element, it covers a vastly large spectrum of framing techniques. Considering all the variety of problems framers are faced with in framing projects. What one framer does on daily basis and another does can be vastly different. So on a broad spectrum exam there is going to be some issues. I trust its being improved over time.
 
The CPF and MCPF exam are OK as they are! Combined exam would be counterproductive to the system and would devalue existing certified framers.

I have no idea why there would need to be an exam on 'anything goes' cheap framing? It would like having an exam on kicking rocks!

Nope, no radical changes necessary!

The FATG has a GCF exam and additional advanced segments. I don't think they would want to combine those!
 
I think there might be value in a series of hands-on classes, where the student is shown how to wet mount, for instance, and gets to practice with the guidance of the instructor. Sometimes watching, then trying, gives a framer confidence in a new technique.

I don't think that one should receive a certification, but maybe, if there were a series, a certificate of competency or some such.
 
I would sign right up for a wet mounting class. When I started, It was on its way out and all I could think about was preservation mounting. I have experimented with it on a small scale using techniques from Paul Frederick's book. It feels like a gap in my education.

Having certificates of proficiency for some of the basics is an idea with merit. Perhaps someone involved in long-range planning could have a look at it. I seem to remember that this was considered during the development of the MCPF.
 
PPFA used to provide a Certificate of Completion for specific classes. They mostly found their way into waste baskets. it was mostly a waste of printing and paper.
 
I agree that many trees were killed in the old days. I was not even thinking about those certificates of completion. I was thinking more along the lines of a Skills Development series. Or a Core Competencies series.

What sort of things would you like to study under a competent practitioner? What things do you turn away because, although you understand the underlying principle, you remember the dictum: Don't learn on the customer's work, or because you don't want to put $$$ into a skill that might not work the way you thought it would?

Wet mounting
Advanced mat decoration (french lines, bevel painting)
Laminating
Direct Contact Overlay
Frame finish alteration
Airbrushing
 
Ellen, every one of these is something I have played with but would like to learn to really do. I define competence as being comfortable using the process on a customer's work without fear. I don't think any of them would add a lot to my bottom line, but if that was the reason I sought education, I would be in a different business.

I miss those certificates, Cliff, though I might be the only one. I thought of each one as another opportunity to display the variety of ways a diploma or certificate could be framed. I have one wall that looks a lot like the bragging wall that my professional customers have that displays these with my PPFA membership certificate, Code of Ethics, CPF etc. They are great sales tools as well as subtle notices to my customers that I am constantly working to learn more.
 
Thanks for the input. It seems there is a need for hands on classes involving various framing techniques.
We can work on that perhaps at a chapter-level and for those that require a certificate of attendance can pay a few dollars to have one with their name printed on. These classes can also be held at someone's workshop.
 
Was sitting in the Vet's office yesterday, as Duncan was getting his boosters and an exam. The took him out of the room to do whatever they do to doggies. Well, here I was, sat in the office reading all the 'this and that's' on the walls. Promo stuff, ads for pills and charts for wellness, AND a membership certificate giving accreditation to the vet.

Accreditation, that seems to be a word that is not presently in the dialogs regarding to CPF or not CPF.

Merriam Webster:
Definition of ACCREDIT

1
: to give official authorization to or approval of:
a : to provide with credentials; especially : to send (an envoy) with letters of authorization
b : to recognize or vouch for as conforming with a standard
c : to recognize (an educational institution) as maintaining standards that qualify the graduates for admission to higher or more specialized institutions or for professional practice

For those who respect the Oxford definitions:

official approval given by an organization stating that somebody/something has achieved a required standard a letter of accreditation. The Accreditation of Prior Learning scheme allows work experience to be added towards qualifications.



There all sorts of means to get letters after your name. And most require an investment of time and money in education, and experience. No one disputes Doctors standards of accreditation, or accountants, I won't cite lawyers as an example for the worms that will come out of THAT can. pun intended:laughing:

But aside from the obvious lengthy education many of these standards for accreditation...there was a large group professional folks that have ascribed to that standard and who set it. I am rather sure that there are amendments in standards and reviews to techniques and the like. Well the CPF and MCPF are still rather young. MCPFs worldwide are still only in the double digits.
Time, work, and people getting on board and working WITH the standards and who sets them is the way for our sought designation, to gain a worthy stature. Dumbing it down isn't.

Also recently on the news, and abortion clinic was found to be doing such unethical practices, (NOT GONNA DISPUTE/ or support abortion for a SINGLE moment) that the license of the Doctor was not only taken from him, and criminal charges were against him and many of his staff for murder.

STANDARDS. Industry standards, peer accepted standards, and personal acceptance of what we can and CANNOT do professionally is what makes people respond with appropriate dismay about a job unacceptable done.

Perhaps my example is a bit off, as there is not a lot of moral issues involved with bad framing. Or is there...we as a group have to come to THAT conclusion. Shouldn't we?
 
I also miss the certificates. I saved them all because they verified the tens of thousands I have spent over the years to attend shows & training events. Now days not only do you not get verification other than your receipt, it's getting rarer to receive course handouts. I'm still waiting for one instructor to allow access to (THE DROP BOX). I'm not going to beg, same thing happened last year. I have $250.00 invest in one instructor with only memory & a receipt. As some say you can always wright it down, I choose to focus, listen, & jot down notes. Charge me a fee & give me handouts & verification. I saw one person recording everything in a hands on course. I thought good for him now he can review & eliminate memory error. I had 12 class this year one right after another. Thank You to Jim, Chris, & those that gave handouts.(I hope this didn't appear as a rant):shame:
 
Gregory K. Norris said:
Ellen, every one of these is something I have played with but would like to learn to really do. I define competence as being comfortable using the process on a customer's work without fear. I don't think any of them would add a lot to my bottom line, ...
Click to expand...

I believe that for many framers, certain of these that Ellen mentioned, can add quite a bit to the bottom line.

For example, mat decoration is an important element in most of my designs. I would gather that probably 90% plus of my paper based media framing designs have some sort of mat decoration. The exceptions are generally artist pieces that are going in shows that insist on white, white, white.

Let me give you an example. Lets say you are going to do a simple double mat. The top is neutral, and the second needs a bright color, say a red, or orange, maybe 1/4 of an inch. Yes you can order a second mat with the bright color, but now you also have an additional white line from the bevel, which might subtract from the design.

Instead of the second bright color, paint a mat with the bright color (bevel or bevel and 1/16th of an inch). Have the bevel variegated. So you now sell 2 mats plus a painted bevel. And you probably did not need to buy the second mat because you can use the left over from the first mat.

And the time to do a painted bevel (16 x 20 ish) is probably around 15 minutes. 3 minutes to start and find everything and get it laid out; 3 minutes for base, 5 minutes for 2 or 3 additional variegated colors and 3 minutes to clean up)
 
You make some good points, Russ. I have painted bevels and mats before, but only for competition pieces and a few special items for customers who were not in any hurry and just trusted me to experiment. But I were really confident in my skills, I could be selling them at the design counter. OK, who wants to teach some of these classes? And who wants a trip to WV or to Pittsburgh?
 
I believe there are quite a few framers that are qualified to teach many of the topics that Ellen mentioned. Some are certified by PPFA, or at least listed in their list of instructors, (and that may not necessarily mean they are certified). And then there are others that do it (like me) but are not on the approved list. For example, I did an informal class on painted bevels with the board members of our local chapter but that is it.

I believe the first task would be to make a list of the subtopics under those that Ellen mentioned. Then decide which are most appropriate to start with, and what would be included in such a list for accreditation or certification of the topic.

The 3rd step would then be to determine who could provide guidance on certain topics.

For example, my incomplete list for mat decoration would probably start with:

  1. Plain acrylic painted bevels
  2. Plain pastel painted bevels
  3. Variegated painted bevels
  4. Wrapped bevels - decorative papers (I call them wrapped but some framers call them bevel extensions)
  5. Wrapped bevels - hand painted on preservation grade paper
  6. Gold leaf on bevels
  7. Panels (Pastel)
  8. Panels (Painted WC or Acrylic or other?)
  9. Panels in Open V's (paper)
  10. Panels in Open V's (Painted)
  11. Ink Lines
  12. Gesso mats
  13. Gold leaf lines and panels

For me, I have done most, but the ones that really sell for me are, in this order, number 3 (variegated painted bevels painted with acrylic), followed by number 5 (wrapped bevels - hand painted), and number 4 (wrapped bevels - decorative paper). I would recommend the others be ignored until you have success with these three.

And who would not want to come to WV or Pittsburgh?
 
Certificates of Course Study

I also miss the printed course certificates.

It looks as though I stopped going to PPFA Conferences to continue improving my skills and framing knowledge annualy. Actually considering taking down my framed certificates because of this.
 
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