AWhen 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 original watercolour paintings, prints, and textile art, all 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 get steamy 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.
My poster prints are sent rolled in a protective tube (except A5 posters which are sent flat). This means they need to be flattened before you can display them.
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.
Original watercolour paintings and poster prints all need to be framed behind glass (or Perspex) for best protection. This is because watercolour paints, printing inks, and paper can get easily damaged by moisture and other elements when left exposed. Unlike acrylic paintings (which are generally more stable and hardwearing and have protective varnishes) original watercolour paintings and prints need a little extra care.
If you aren’t ready to frame your original watercolour artwork or poster 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.
You can carefully remove any dust from the surface of your original watercolour or print, with a VERY soft, clean, and dry brush. Do NOT use any liquids, cleaning chemicals, rough brushes, or microfiber cloths (these could all cause damage to your artwork).
My larger textile art pieces come rolled in a protective tube. This means they may take a little while to flatten once unrolled. If gravity doesn’t naturally flatten the textile piece after hanging it up for a few days, you can very carefully iron it – just make sure you place a protective cloth on top of the artwork (i.e. don’t let the iron touch the fabric directly) and be particularly careful with any embellishments (i.e. embroidery).
You can wipe clean the piece with a slightly damp, clean, soft cloth, but avoid over wetting the fabric and be careful of any embellishments or stitching.
If you follow these tips for how to care for your art, and generally use common sense when handling and displaying your original paintings, prints, and textile pieces, your artwork should last for years to come.
If you have any questions about caring for your art, feel free to get in touch.
© Kerri Awosile 2024