Have no idea how to protect the beautiful acrylic painting you received as a birthday present? Wondering how to frame and frame your new watercolor painting? Here’s a practical guide on how to care for your prized work of art, no matter what medium it was created in.
. Driving
. Storage
. Transportation
. Mat
. Framed
. laminate
. display
. Cleaning
Special care for different types of media
. acrylics
. oils
. watercolors
. Cakes
. Charcoal, Pencil, Colored pencil, Pencil drawings
. ink drawings
. Digital art
Driving
Always be very careful when handling artwork. Never touch the surface of the artwork with your bare fingers, as natural oils, acids, and salts from your skin can transfer to the artwork and cause permanent damage. If you must touch the art, wear cotton gloves.
Storage
Artwork not displayed should be stored in a clean, dry, dark, well-ventilated area with moderate temperatures and humidity levels that do not fluctuate greatly. Avoid storage in basements, attics or garages as extreme temperatures and humidity can damage the artwork.
Store unframed art flat with acid-free paper between each item, or enclose individual items in archival-quality envelopes.
Avoid storing artwork between cartons as it is highly acidic and can damage artwork over time.
Store art created with charcoal, pastels, pencil or crayon between glasses to avoid rubbing and damaging the delicate artwork. Cover the item first with an acid-free mat and then cover with glass to protect the artwork from any contact with its surface.
Never store unframed artwork in shipping tubes for any period of time. Remove the art as soon as possible and lay it flat until you are ready to frame it. If a painting has been stored in a tube for a long time, consult a professional who will take the utmost care and experience in unrolling and relaxing the artwork to prevent possible cracking and damage.
Never store framed artwork directly on the floor. Instead, rest the artwork on blocks or shelves.
Transportation
Never leave artwork in your car for long periods of time. Carry framed artwork by the sides and avoid leaning the canvas against anything that could damage the surface.
Roll prints carefully and insert into sturdy shipping tubes. Please remove the artwork and unroll it as soon as possible after transportation to avoid permanent damage.
Mat
Matte your artwork with an acid free mat plate. Poor quality mats can damage art over time due to chemicals in the backboard that can transfer to the artwork. The same goes for backing your art with cardboard, which also has chemicals that can cause discoloration.
Never use rubber cement or white glue to adhere art to a surface as it may damage your precious artwork.
Framed
Art created with ink, pencil, pastel, or charcoal must be framed under glass. You may use plexiglass only for pencil or ink drawings, as any pastel or charcoal artwork can be damaged by the buildup of electrostatic charge emitted by plexiglass and similar plastics.
Be sure to completely seal the back seams of the frame and backing with acid-free tape.
To further protect your print from harmful UV rays, you can ask your framer to use glare-free glass with a UV protective coating to cover the artwork in the frame.
The frame you choose should be slightly larger than your artwork. Moisture can cause the paper to shrink or expand, and the extra space between the frame and the artwork will allow for these changes without damaging the artwork.
Never frame an artwork without also using a mat board between the artwork and the frame. Wood can contain moisture that can be transferred to the artwork. If you prefer, you can use acid-free frame spacing instead of mats. Ask at your art store to see what’s available.
Also, if you have a glass insert to protect the artwork, be sure to add a mat to prevent the artwork from sticking to the glass over time.
laminate
Since nearly all laminating materials have UV inhibitors, it makes sense to consider this option to protect your prints, photographs, and digital art, as well as other artwork such as delicate pastels and charcoals.
Check with a photo shop to make sure this process won’t damage the artwork you’re thinking of laminating.
Take your print or photo to a photo shop to have it professionally laminated onto a base, or use a laminating machine if you prefer to use a frame.
A laminating machine that uses a heat process will protect the print better than a machine that uses cold lamination. Beware of lower-end laminators with fluctuating temperatures that can cause bubbles between the print and the plastic, incomplete lamination, or variations in the thickness of the plastic.
For added protection, laminating bags are also available with UV resistance to protect against fading.
If you’re using low-quality photo paper for your digital prints, be sure to test a sample print on your laminator, as it may stain the photo.
display
Careful planning of where your artwork will hang should extend its lifespan considerably.
Humidity, extreme fluctuating temperatures, direct sunlight, bright light, heating ducts, and fireplaces can all damage your older art. Avoid contact with fluorescent lights that emit harmful high-energy rays that can damage the artwork.
Hanging artwork on exterior walls can subject them to fluctuations in temperature and humidity in climates where temperatures vary widely with the seasons. Avoid hanging artwork in kitchens or bathrooms for this very reason.
Attach small pieces of cork to the back of the frame to prevent mold from forming, allowing air to circulate behind the framed artwork.
Never use clip lights on frames. The area of the artwork exposed to this “hot spot” will dry out and become damaged over time.
Canvas stretcher bars can expand and contract with temperature fluctuations. This can cause the canvas to sag and/or paint to crack. A professional can correct this problem and save the artwork.
Cleaning
Dust frames regularly and inspect for signs of mold or insects. Make sure all hangers and items used to secure the frame are still in good condition.
Never use commercial products to clean your bare artwork. Use a duster to dislodge dust particles from the surface. The cloth material can leave lint.
To clean picture glass that protects your artwork, never spray cleaner directly onto the glass. Instead, spray your cleaning cloth on and then wipe the glass to prevent the cleaner from running and seeping between the glass and frame and damaging the art. Avoid using a cleaner with ammonia.
Use a cleaner designed specifically for plexiglass or similar materials such as acrylic, or use a soft, damp cloth and gently wipe stains to avoid scratching them.
You may need a professional to clean your artwork if you notice color changes and dullness from contact with smoke, whether from cigarettes, heavy use of candles, or if the artwork was subject to smoke damage. a fire. Consult your professional if you notice signs of mold or insects.
Special care for different types of media
acrylic paintings
They should not be framed under glass, acrylics are quite sturdy and can survive in various lighting conditions. Dusting the surface lightly will prevent any build up. Be careful when shipping acrylics in winter as extremely cold temperatures can cause cracking. You’ll have the same problem storing your acrylics in unheated attics, basements, or sheds if you live in areas that experience very cold winters.
Oil paintings
Also not for framing under glass as these have to “breathe”. Direct sunlight will fade the oils over time. Choose your location with this in mind.
Be sure to dust frequently, as buildup can crack and peel paint. Never spray commercial cleaners on your paint. If the colors seem dull after a while, you can varnish your painting at your art store to refresh the colors and protect the surface from cracking.
Transport your painting carefully wrapped in cardboard and protected with bubble wrap. Avoid leaving the artwork in the packaging for too long, as moisture can form and damage your painting.
watercolors
Frame watercolors behind glass. Colors may fade if fragile watercolors are exposed to strong lighting conditions.
Oil pastels and chalk pastels
Pastels are very delicate and must be handled with the utmost care. Framing under glass as soon as possible is a must to protect the easily damaged surface. Full sun can fade colors, but they can survive strong light or indirect sunlight. Never touch the art surface or place anything on its surface to avoid staining.
Charcoal, pencil, colored pencil, crayon drawings
These are as fragile as cakes; therefore, they must be handled and protected in the same way. Do not touch the delicate surface of these drawings.
ink drawings
Also very light sensitive, fading quickly in direct sunlight. Frame under glass with UV protection.
Digital art
Avoid touching the surface of your digital art. Mount your artwork behind UV protected glass to reduce fading. Make sure the artwork is dry before doing this. An acid-free mat inserted between the artwork and the frame will prevent the artwork from sticking to the glass. Aluminum frames should be considered as moisture does not affect them and will not transfer to your prints. Be sure to keep your digital prints away from excessive heat for long periods of time, high humidity, direct sunlight, and extreme fluctuations in temperature.
Taking extra care of your prized work of art today will ensure many years of enjoyment in the future.