What wall paint colours may I use for a background to art?

Linda Hunt
by Linda Hunt
We retire in just a few months! I would speak more joyously but I have no wish to grind it into anyone's face, lol. Now, my point. We have art of all kinds lots of nature, a couple of Moroccan, some art nouveaux, oven fired painting etc. A couple of "real" pieces, numbered prints, prints, abstract, flowers, children's art that stay upon my wall no matter what and even a couple of photocopied pieces!! Hey, when you love art and do not have funds you get creative. Yes, sorry, too long. But please help as there is enough to fill all the walls in our wee down-sized home. Thanks for taking the time to read and have a wonderful summer doing it yourself everyone.

  10 answers
  • Just Retired Just Retired on Jul 02, 2017

    actually I myself have a collage type wall and a dark paint on the wall shows off art work nicely. Think navy blue, deep charcoal etc. you get the idea

  • Elaine Elaine on Jul 02, 2017

    I enjoy oil and acrylic painting and find either a creamy white wall works OR a deep, dark color. In my case, I found a rich dulled-down green (no bright emeralds) worked for me as many of my pieces were either landscapes or seascapes and the rich green seemed to emphasize the colors in the majority of my pieces.

    • See 2 previous
    • Linda Hunt Linda Hunt on Jul 07, 2017

      Thank you for the advice of white or bold!!! Now I will have some fun with a few samples. Enjoy the summer.

  • Sharon Sharon on Jul 02, 2017

    You can make anything work by selecting a color that is predominate in the paintings themselves, or the frames and mattings and select a complimentary shade. Get some paint samples and hang them on the wall until something speaks to you.

    • Linda Hunt Linda Hunt on Jul 07, 2017

      Nothing ties all the art together, but that does not discourage me. Thank you for your advice Sharon and have a wonderful summer.

  • Karla McClary Robinson Karla McClary Robinson on Jul 02, 2017

    use either a brilliant white on the walls to allow your artwork to make a statement, or go with a darker hue like navy, plum, chocolate which will allow the colors n the artwork to brighten the rooms

    • Linda Hunt Linda Hunt on Jul 07, 2017

      Thank you Karla! I can tell I hit a few artists here which is very fortunate for me! My area is small and all open so I shall be doing some serious pant testing, lol. Have a lovely summer, Linda

  • Linda Hunt Linda Hunt on Jul 02, 2017

    What a wonderful way to start this discussion Elaine! A Canadian like me loves to find others as I cannot seem to figure the darn answer anywhere, LOL. Please keep helping if anyone has any idea to use from teeny-tiny to right off the wall ! I am full of love for the life of art around the world and bohemian pretty well has me nailed, vwahahahahah. Thank you very much Elaine and may the weather treat you kindly this week.

  • Elaine Elaine on Jul 03, 2017

    Me again ... just wishing you a Happy Retirement!

    • Linda Hunt Linda Hunt on Jul 07, 2017

      Thank you so much. It is too early and completely unseen coming my way but my body and mind will figure out how to do everything by pestering this group of people!!

  • Elaine Elaine on Jul 07, 2017

    You're very welcome, Linda!

  • Patty Chadwick Patty Chadwick on Jul 07, 2017

    off white

    • Linda Hunt Linda Hunt on Jul 07, 2017

      Thank you Pcstudio78. It seems that the general nonsense is a bold wall and the rest a gorgeous white. Although that may be a hard colour to keep up with because I am a bush kind of person and love, love gardening. lol. Now i need to learn how to have a veggie garden without the animals scoffing them all down, lol. Enjoy your summer!

  • Patty Chadwick Patty Chadwick on Jul 07, 2017

    How about palette planting? Staple landscape cloth or strong plastic, to back and upsides of horizontal palette, turn it over, fill it with enriched planting soil, plant seeds, water. When plants are well started, tilt unit up against a wall or other support. Because your "garden" is almost vertical, it will take little space and little fencing...plasic or metal. This works particularlyvwell with herbs....

    • Linda Hunt Linda Hunt on Jul 08, 2017

      That is a great idea that I can plan for the garden next year!! I love this site, someone will know something that solves things we did not know we needed to know. Bloody Marvellous!!!

  • Elaine Elaine on Jul 08, 2017

    I'm in southern Ontario, Linda. I once lived in North Bay (a year) and Gravenhurst (five) so ... does that make me a northerner as well ?!! lol.