Protecting your artworks will guarantee its longevity. There are pre-emptive measures that one can and should take when owning a handmade oil painting. Oil is a durable artistic media, however, damages are common. Temperature changes, cleaning, hanging, lighting and storage can all cause different types of blemishes, including:
Cracks in the paint,
Color Distortions of the canvas,
Fading and discoloration of the oil painting
1. Mishandling of your oil paintings will inevitably cause damage, so be certain to take preventative measures when moving the painting. In a move, be sure to seal and insulate the artwork, this will prevent distortion from hot and cold temperature changes, as well as bumps and bangs. Bubble-wrap your painting even if moving, this way, if the cover is punctured, you still have a safety net.
2. Temperature changes might cause your painting to expand and contrast. This can cause cracking of the paint. Some differences in temperature are inevitable, but to avoid severe changes hang the oil paintings somewhere in the home or office where humidity and temperature are reasonably constant. Avoid hanging the painting near doorways, windows, and air ducts, including fireplaces, bathrooms and kitchens.
3. Lighting – Never hang your painting in direct sunlight! This will cause fading of the paint, as well as frequent temperature change from day to night, which will cause cracking. In choosing the correct artificial lighting, try flood lighting or if using spots, use a low frequency bulb, as high concentration of direct light will have the same effect on your painting as sunlight. (For more information on lighting, refer toArtCorner.com and ‘The Right Light’ blog post)
4. In order to avoid the sticking, coming off the paint and damage, never press two oil paintings face to face together.
5. When roll up an oil painting, make sure to with the colored side outward. Then cover it with a roll of paper and plastic paper. When storing, basements and attics are not your best bet. Temperatures are typically very dry or very wet in these environments. Cover your painting on both sides with bubble wrap or corrugated plastic, box it up in cardboard, and store it in a closet that remains as close to room temperature as possible.
6. Dust your oil paintings. A soft, clean brush, like a paintbrush, may be used to dust paintings. You can also keep artwork dust free by using a low power vacuum with a hose and brush attachment. If a painting is severely dirty, warm water with a small amount of mild detergent may be used. Using a clean, soft cloth, blot the painting gently. Regular dusting will prevent the need for further cleaning and is a critical part of caring for artwork.
7. Normally, an oil painting could be kept for two or three hundred years. But there would be cracks on the surface of the painting. If the collection is large, you can rap the paintings with plastics and put them into to wooden trunks to protect them from damage.