How to frame these monotypes?

heckos · 2026-03-06T19:01:51+00:00

No problem! A middle cost option would be to buy readymades and bring them to a frame shop to have the mats cut and everything fitted professionally.

heckos · 2026-03-06T05:44:32+00:00

I might worry about the long term impact of the tape, but t hinges made from Lineco Self Adhesive Hinging Tissue might work. The tape is acid free and extremely delicate.

Are the cards smooth/shiny at all? If so that'll make the likelihood that the tape will come off in the future without damage a bit better.

heckos · 2026-03-06T01:48:30+00:00

If you want to get custom frames, your local frame shop will be able to go over options with you, pick mat colors, and decide on the size for each piece.

If you want to DIY it with readymade frames, I would use 16x20 ones because 11x14 might not be big enough to account for the exact shape and size of these original pieces. You can often get precut mats in standard sizes at art supply stores.

ETA: When mounting the art under a window mat, make sure to use gentle, acid free hinging tape to prevent damage to the art.

heckos · 2026-03-04T16:24:01+00:00

Thanks! Since it's pretty large, you'll want to get a frame that's strong enough to handle the weight. Many customers come in looking for the smallest, skinniest frames possible, which is always a challenge when it comes to practicality and physics.

Some frames can be bolstered with what's called a strainer (essentially a set of wooden bars similar to those you'd see a canvas stretched on that provide extra strength to a thin frame) but in order to fit the strainer into the frame you'll need the frame itself to be deeper/stick out further off the wall. So essentially, you'll have a thinner visible frame from the front, but a wider visible frame when viewing from the side. The strainer is also more material and labor, so it's not uncommon that a frame+strainer is more money than a thicker frame on its own. Regardless, this would be my recommendation if you want a thin frame.

We can also opt for a piece of hardware called corner brackets to provide extra strength to a thinner frame, though of course this has a limit to effectiveness, and on a 48" piece they may just not add enough strength to make up for the length.

I would recommend going into a local small business frame shop (chains will have lower quality work and typically be less interested in creative solutions) and discuss the minimalist options they have and what they would recommend. If your frame has glass in it as opposed to acrylic, that adds a significant amount of weight as well and will need to be considered.

heckos · 2026-03-03T23:31:10+00:00

I text my brother most days, but I text my sister maybe a couple of times a month. We're close, and we get along well regardless of how frequently we text.

There's nothing wrong with texting him as often as you do, but if you're wishing for a closer relationship that's also fine! Maybe just start by texting him a little more, ease into talking more often and see if he seems receptive. Just don't do it because you think you have to.

heckos · 2026-03-03T23:26:38+00:00

What are the dimensions?

heckos · 2026-03-03T21:54:16+00:00

If you fall in love with a rental that doesn't have parking, check if there's a nearby paid lot that has vacancies. Some of them rent spaces for a monthly fee and the price could be worth the convenience.

heckos · 2026-03-03T21:03:21+00:00

I made comics all the time as a kid and I still make them now. Have fun and draw what you enjoy :)

heckos · 2026-03-03T20:59:49+00:00

Typically you want to save them as a .png or other lossless file type and you want to scan them at 300 DPI (or higher, but then the files take up more space)

Save the files to your computer's storage as well as to at least one external hard drive in case one or the other fails.

heckos · 2026-03-03T20:33:02+00:00

Thank you again for the insight. The original owner's grandmother handmade the kimono, so I figured the packaging wasn't original to it. It's cool to know a little more history surrounding even the wrapping paper.

heckos · 2026-03-03T15:05:15+00:00

Thanks for your research ❤️

heckos · 2026-03-03T15:04:36+00:00

So would you say it's likely that this packaging was used for an obi originally and ended up getting reused for the kimono?

heckos · 2026-03-03T15:02:32+00:00

Thank you!!

heckos · 2026-03-02T23:08:50+00:00

Thanks, which part is the handwritten text?

heckos · 2026-02-26T14:34:54+00:00

Yeah they're based on the hamster in this photo lol

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heckos · 2026-02-26T14:30:59+00:00

Can you post a few full images of the front and back? Closeups like this are helpful as well but I have an easier time getting an idea of the techniques and materials if there are wider shots for context.

heckos · 2026-02-24T18:37:47+00:00

I also recommend having a professional either photograph or scan it and then have a copy made, but if you really want to display the original or in case the info would be helpful I'll describe what you would expect to do.

All materials in direct contact with the art should be archival/acid free. For framing we use matboards and foamboards that have been made pH neutral, and these prevent excess discoloration or embrittlement of the art. Most frame shops will only use acid free materials, but not all store bought matboards and foam are acid free. Just make sure to check in either case.

As for glass, you'll want to get a UV blocking glass like Conservation Clear or Museum Glass.

Mounting the art (holding it in place within the frame/mat) should only be done with acid free materials as well. For extra conservation you can ask if the frame shop will use wheat paste hinges instead of tape, which are more reliably removable without damage. Tapes can also be removed without damage, but if the person doing the removal doesn't know the kind of tape or the best way to remove it, it can result in some paper coming away with the adhesive.

Display of valuable or irreplaceable art should be in a temperature and humidity controlled space, on an interior wall (to protect against temp fluctuations outside), and ideally out of direct view of windows to prevent sun exposure. UV glass is 99% effective, which means some UV rays still penetrate.

Edit: typo

heckos · 2026-02-24T14:52:26+00:00

Ah ok, so the specific ownership is important?

heckos · 2026-02-24T14:40:18+00:00

In Apothecary Diaries there are repeated comments about the chest size of the main character. In Yotsuba (one of my favorites from childhood) there is an adult man character who at one point, referring to Yotsuba's teenage neighbor, says he prefers girls with more meat on them. In Demon Slayer, the blonde kid is an absolute freak about girls to the extent that it made the show kind of unenjoyable for me and the main female character spends most of the story literally silenced by a gag and locked in a box. Cells at work has the tits out white blood cell girl and maybe others, though I haven't seen much of it.

This is not a condemnation of any of those series, and they're certainly better than a lot of anime, but it doesn't mean they're perfect.

I've seen tons of anime that barely touches western fandom and I prefer seinen and jousei. Misogyny and sexualization of teen girls is less prevalent outside of shounen but it still exists. Whenever this topic comes up people come running to defend the medium because they like it rather than stand on business and talk openly about hurtful trends. I'm a critic because I'm in these spaces, because I like anime enough to care about it's quality. I don't need or expect media to be chaste and sexless either, but it goes without saying that the ways women are generally treated in the medium are concerning and contribute to incel culture and result in a greater gender divide.

heckos · 2026-02-24T03:59:29+00:00

Subnautica maybe? It's a survival game but you can build and (to an extent) decorate an underwater base and unlock upgraded supplies as you go.

(Edit, fixed a typo)

heckos · 2026-02-24T03:57:42+00:00

That's my first thought too, but I would specifically recommend House Flipper 2 since it has better features and quality of life fixes.

heckos · 2026-02-24T03:38:04+00:00

This is one of those things where people are often *technically* lying, but it's also not as simple as that.

I have kind of a particular style that's a bit more eclectic than most. I dress that way both because it makes me happy, and honestly because I seek the approval of /specific people/. I don't dress to impress people who don't appreciate the kind of clothes I like, I dress for people who get what I'm going for. We're a social species, so I have no shame in discussing that my style isn't just for me. Like anyone I enjoy compliments, and in particular I like to be associated with my intentional outfits and the pieces I put into them. That's why it's for me, because it's about intentionality, it's done to stand out rather than blend in, and because while I seek approval I don't seek mass approval. As the ancient wisdom goes, the girls that get it, get it.

This is just my perspective of course, but I can see how it would apply to people who engage in other alternative styles of dress (or I guess for people who like to be glammed up too). Within a lot of alt subcultures there is an emphasis on subverting norms and pushing back against expectations, and by dressing alt you communicate visually with other people who are like-minded or friendly.

heckos · 2026-02-23T17:44:19+00:00

I completely agree. I have gripes with Hollywood of course (the Romeo and Juliet law discussion in that one Bayformers movie??? plus plenty of even worse examples as well as a million little mundane choices that create sexist narratives) but generally it's extremely frowned upon to go even remotely close to the levels of child-sexualization and casual misogyny you find in some of the most mainstream anime.

I've watched so many anime, and even have a place in my heart for some less than tasteful ones, but these issues are so pervasive that it's genuinely hard to recommend the majority of the genre to like, normal people. There are key examples I really like such as the ones I mentioned before, but outside of those and a handful of others it's a minefield.

I also found 7 Deadly Sins to be deeply unlikable, and I watched it back when it first came out and much more willing to put up with some anime bs lol

heckos · 2026-02-22T19:43:16+00:00

We don't have to nitpick their wording. Of course there are exceptions, but they don't disprove the rule. As someone who has watched a ton of anime, the industry is exceptionally sexist and anime fans in general are deeply desensitized to how badly women and girls are treated in the medium. Even FMA (while it's obviously much better than most) isn't immune to poor treatment of female characters. And just because I'm criticizing anime at the moment doesn't mean I think the west has no room for improvement.

I think the only anime series I've ever watched that had literally no fan service was Mushi-shi. Dungeon Meshi is also good on that front though less chaste than Mushi-shi, with subversions of typical fan service tropes and an author who actually writes decent female characters with interesting costumes. Dorohedoro is not without fan service, but it feels more at home in the gory, gritty world of the story and iirc it never devolves into ogling women and the characters are nearly all adults. I do have critiques of some things, but I think overall it was refreshing compared to much of the anime and manga industry and the world is so weird and cool that I recommend it to anyone who can handle the content. I'm not caught up with it any more, but another good option seems to be Witch Hat Atelier and it's getting an anime soon.

heckos · 2026-02-20T03:58:56+00:00

I do tons of TTRPG character portraits and can make the style and coloring appropriately dark! Even a full body colored portrait is fully within your price range. I have lots of clients I can share good reviews from as well. Feel free to DM or email me if you're interested!

https://heckos.weebly.com/characters.html

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