When you invest in a piece of art you love, you want it to last as long as possible. I certainly hope my artwork will be bringing you joy for many years (if not decades)… so it’s a good idea to take care of each piece. Acrylic paintings and some other hardwearing mediums are usually quite robust (withstanding slightly harsher conditions), but watercolour paintings and any prints need to be looked after very carefully. So, here is my advice and some tips on how to care for your art…
Natural daylight is a gorgeous way to bring the true colours of your artwork to life (artificial lighting can change the tones and warmth), but be careful. You need to keep your artwork away from direct sunlight (i.e. make sure the sun never shines directly onto the surface), and away from sources of heat (such as radiators, fires, and candles) and moisture (such as rain, condensation, and steam).
It might seem like a good idea to hang your original watercolour painting above your fireplace, or in a bathroom, but think really carefully whether it’s safe to do so. Is there enough barrier/protection between the heat of the fire and the artwork? Does the bathroom steam up a lot when you shower?
You also want to avoid touching your art as much as possible. There are natural oils in our skin (even when we’ve just washed our hands) that can damage artwork over time.
You can carefully remove any dust from the surface of your original painting or print with a VERY soft, clean, and dry brush. Do NOT use any liquids, cleaning chemicals, rough brushes, or microfiber cloths (as these could all cause damage to your artwork).
As mentioned above, acrylic paintings are generally more stable and hardwearing than watercolour paintings or prints, but they still need looking after to protect them longterm.
I apply a clear protective varnish to my acrylic paintings which means they don’t need to be displayed behind glass or Perspex (unless you want to), but this does leave their surface exposed. Make sure you keep your original acrylic paintings away from any sharp or rough objects (this includes fingernails) which could scratch or damage your artwork.
Original watercolour paintings need to be framed behind glass or Perspex for best protection. This is because watercolour paints and paper can get easily damaged by moisture and other elements when left exposed.
Depending on the size and/or type of print you purchase, your print may arrive rolled in a protective tube. This means it needs to be flattened before you can display it.
Carefully remove the poster from the tube (it will be rolled in protective acid-free paper). Unroll the print, and then very gently roll it back on itself – i.e. in the opposite direction. This should help flatten it.
All prints should be framed behind glass or Perspex for best protection. This is because printing inks and paper can get easily damaged by moisture and other elements when left exposed.
If you aren’t ready to display your original painting or print immediately, make sure you store it in acid-free protection until you’re ready. The glassine paper it arrived in is suitable for short-term storage, but if you’re planning on storing it for a long time, it would be best to purchase an archival acid-free artwork folder/pouch or box.
Following these tips for how to care for your art, and generally using common sense when handling and displaying your original paintings and prints, your artwork should last for years to come.
If you have any questions about caring for your art, feel free to get in touch.