Care of paintings

Avoid Sunlight

Prolonged exposure to bright sunshine may fade even the most recent and prized piece of artwork you possess over time. Avoid hanging your artwork where it will be subjected to prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

Use proper framing Material

What would you do if you spent a considerable amount of time looking for a certain picture but still couldn’t locate the one you envisioned hanging in your sunroom? If you don’t want the sun’s glare to detract from the look of the room, have your artwork framed with acrylic that shields UV rays rather than glass. In compared to glass, it’s much gentler on the eyes, and it protects your artwork from the damaging effects of direct sunlight without adding any extra weight.

Be wary of the relative humidity level

The humidity level in the room may have a major effect on the condition of your paintings. Humidity levels should be kept about 55% if you want your home to be a comfortable place to spend time in. (You can find out how much moisture is in the air with the use of a hygrometer.)

Keep a watchful check on your hands at all times

Wearing a pair of cotton gloves can prevent fingerprints and other damage from occurring while handling paintings and acrylic frames. Your fingerprints and skin oils will inevitably end up on them if you do that, which might potentially harm them.

All glass and acrylics should be kept in pristine condition at all times

Always use a microfiber towel or other soft, nonabrasive cloth to wipe off the glass or acrylic panel protecting your artwork. A glass cleaner without ammonia or acrylic may be another option to consider.

Instead than trying to clean your artwork, just dust it

Cleaning solutions or solvents should never be used on the surface of a painting unless the artwork is covered by acrylic or glass. Dust shouldn’t be blown off the painting; instead, use a feather duster or sable brush to gently sweep it away.

Here are several alternatives to framing your artwork that can keep it safe:

Keeping artwork rolled up in a tube is not a good idea

You should not even consider safeguarding your artwork by keeping it wrapped up and folded inside a cardboard tube until you are ready to hang it on the wall. Your creative works will never be shared with the general audience. There is a chance that acrylic paint or decorative paintings can dry out, break, or change color if they are rolled up for a lengthy period of time.

Keep the artwork in the exact condition in which it was originally made

It’s important to always make some kind of differentiation between separate pieces of flat art when keeping a big number of them. Place a two- or four-ply thick sheet of conservation matboard or rag with a border that is two inches larger all the way around than the artwork itself between each piece. This preventative measure will keep the artwork safe from acid and other environmental hazards like curling and creasing.

The artwork has to be stored in a cool, dry, dark place

Without a frame, artwork just needs the barest minimum of protection. The best way to shield your artwork from the sun’s rays, humidity, and temperature swings is to store it in a cold, dry, and dark place.

Imagine a solander using this

A solander box is a worthwhile purchase if you care about the safety of your artwork and want to do all in your power to keep it that way. You may find stores selling supplies for archiving books and papers that sell acid-free print boxes with hinged front panels.