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Caring For Your Oil Painting
By: Mel McGee
So you finally painted an oil painting you are proud enough to display or bought an oil painting that you fell in love with. Before you hang that painting up or even put it in storage here are tips about hanging, storing, cleaning and moving your oil painting.
Before you hang your painting remember that wide variations in temperature and humidity are not good for any painting so, avoid hanging pictures near a fire or radiator, in direct sunlight, near heating and air conditioning vents. Displaying paintings close to candles or a fireplace or in smoking areas like a den or game room can deposit nicotine and soot onto the surface of the painting.
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Be careful when choosing lighting to display your painting as many lights will put off enough heat to damage the artwork over time. In addition some dyes and colorants used in the paints will discolor from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light, so do not use ultraviolet light to display your painting.
Whether you are displaying your oil painting or putting in storage, it is important to try to stay between the following temperature and humidity ranges; 65-70 degrees F and 40-55% relative humidity during the winter and 70-75 degrees F and 45-55% relative humidity during the summer. |
Store your paintings in a dry, dark place with a constant cool temperature. Never store your oil painting in the attic, garage or basement. If you are storing framed paintings, make sure to remove the picture hooks before stacking to avoid harming other frames or paintings. Stack the painting upright using acid-free board between each work of art for protection. You should not store directly on any floor surface, stack on bricks or racks. Cover with a clean, non-plastic dust sheet to prevent dust settling and mold.
Oil painting cleaning should only be done by a skilled professional, but it is advisable to dust your painting once every 4-6 months. Do not use feather dusters or any type of liquid on your oil on canvas artwork. A new, unused typical makeup brush or new soft paintbrush can be used to lightly dust your painting, being care not to brush off any loose pieces of paint chips. A soft dry cloth can be using to dust the frame.
If you plan on moving your artwork, always make sure your hands are very clean and dry, or wear clean gloves. Remove jewelry and watches to avoid damaging the painting. While moving your oil painting, hold the painting on both vertical sides not the top of the frame or hanging wire. Before you even think of picking up the painting, move any objects or furniture that may block your path and have a place picked out to set the painting.
Using these tips you can keep your oil painting looking great for generations and avoid accidentally damaging it.