“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
― Pablo Picasso

Oil paintings can live for hundreds of years provided that some basic care and attention is given to protect the artwork from deterioration and preserve its beauty.

-Handling-

The most common cause of damage to paintings is due to careless handling. Physical force from dropping, bumping, puncturing, or vibrations can cause damage to the paint layers and support. It is important to avoid bumping canvas paintings as even the slightest bump can initiate cracking of the paint surface, especially more sensitive old paintings.

When holding the painting make sure to hold it from both vertical sides and avoid touching the surface of the artwork because our skin contains natural oils that can leave a mark. Make sure that nothing on your body is likely to scratch or tear the painting.

-Temperature & Humidity -

Extremes and fluctuations in temperature and humidity can cause damage to paintings due to the expansion and contraction of the wood and fabric components of the painting. Wood and fabric absorb moisture which causes them to swell on humid days and conversely shrink on dry days.

Monitor the environment where the painting is displayed. Keep the fluctuations in temperature and humidity to a minimum. Avoid hanging the painting directly over fires, radiators, heaters, in bathrooms, kitchens or around a swimming pool. The dampness of the bathroom could encourage mold and mildew to grow. Proximity to smoking areas, cooking areas, and fireplaces can deposit nicotine, grease, and soot on the paint surface, darkening and yellowing the painting.

A relative humidity of 45-55% is recommended but can be difficult to maintain without a humidifier to help with seasonal fluctuations. A constant temperature of 65-68 degrees F is recommended, but ideally never above 75 degrees F. While precise control of temperature and humidity is desirable, it is not always practical in homes. Therefore, damage should be minimized by avoiding extremes in temperature and humidity.

-Light-

To keep the colors in your painting sharp, do not display the artwork in direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight will fade the colors in your oil painting. Avoid using ultraviolet light, which can cause pigment fading and yellowing varnish. LED lamps are preferred due to their adjustability in color temperature. Diffused spotlights should be mounted at least 10 feet from the painting to avoid potentially damaging heat buildup.

-Displaying & Storing-

The painting should ideally be displayed at eye level, unless the interior design means an above eye-level view is preferable. By placing the center of the artwork at eye level, it ensures the art can be admired comfortably. From an esthetic point of view, the painting can be perceived very differently depending on how much light it receives, the temperature of the light and the nature of light: natural or artificial. You can test with different kinds of light before deciding on the more flattering light for the painting and for incorporating it into the design of your home.

To avoid deforming the canvas, do not lean the painting against a pointed object, no matter how small. If you must lean it against something, lean it on the wood of its stretcher bars or the frame, so that nothing presses against the canvas. When hanging a painting on wall hooks, make sure that the wall hooks are driven into the wall studs for maximum stability. For large, heavy paintings, particularly those with a thick and deep frame, use a bracket under the painting to support its weight.

Professional art collectors store oil paintings in dark, dry rooms where temperature and humidity are constant and where dusts do not accumulate. Avoid stacking paintings on top of the other.

-Cleaning-

Dust your painting regularly to avoid a build-up of dust which can dry out the paint and result in cracking and peeling. Use a clean, soft artist brush or lint cloth to clean the painting. Do not use dust cloths or feather dusters to avoid scratching or contaminating the painting with the cleaning material. If the painting is thickly textured, be gentle with any cleaning as the lumps of paint may get caught on the cloth and torn off the painting.

Moisture may cause loss of paint so avoid using moist cloths. Do not use chemicals or household cleaning products. Do not use water or damp cloths. For as long as the work is cleaned and kept dry, it will last for centuries.

-Framing-

Not all paintings need framing, but if you decide to frame your oil painting, take it to a reputable framer who has experience in fine art framing. Try traditional or modern floating frames and see which you prefer while considering the ambiance of the painting and the fit in your home. Often different styles can go equally well with a painting.

-Transporting-

When transporting an oil painting, lay a flat piece of cardboard, mat board or similar firm material over the front and back surfaces, and then wrap it in bubble wrap or Styrofoam wrap. Keep bubble wrap away from the painting surface as it could leave marks. Be careful of the frame corners as they are easily damaged.

-Restoration-

Scratches, scrapes and mildew attacks on paintings can happen and in that case, they should be referred to experts (or the artists themselves). Information on conversion and restoration may be obtained from museums, art galleries and artists. Routinely examine the painting for pests. If infestation is found, isolate the painting in a plastic bag and have it examined by a professional. While oil paintings are remarkably durable, they are certainly not invulnerable.

-Copyright -

Please note that the artist will always retain copyright in the painting. This means that nobody, but the artist can copy, reproduce or photograph the work for distribution or commercial gain without the prior consent of the artist.

Oil paintings are remarkably durable, which is why we can view paintings from many hundreds of years ago in museums today. To discover my original oil paintings please visit my gallery and maybe there is something there that will brighten your day.

dog portrait commissions original artwork martha's vineyard — “It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.”
― Vincent Van Gogh

How to take care of oil paintings?