How to Care for Your Original Painting

Your guide to looking after acrylic, watercolour or mixed media paintings

When you buy an original painting, you've carefully chosen a piece that really means something to you, so you'll want to enjoy it for as long as possible - and maybe even pass it on to the next generation. Here are a few tips to help you with that...

Keep your original painting out of direct sunlight

One of the worst things to do to your original painting is keep it in direct sunlight for too long. UV rays can cause fading, discolouration and deterioration or cracking of paint pigments over time. (Think of how your sofa or curtains fade when they're right next to a window!)

I do apply at least two coats of UV resistant varnish to my acrylic and mixed media pieces to minimise this, but it's still a good idea to choose a shaded spot to hang your painting, one that doesn't receive any direct sunlight from windows or skylights.

For a watercolour you can frame it behind UV resistant glazing to help block those rays but again it's best to hang the painting out of direct sunshine.

Keep your painting away from water and humidity

Water and a lot of humidity can be really damaging to paintings, especially any piece that is created on a paper surface. The moisture can cause the surface to warp, affect the paint itself (particularly with watercolours) and even possibly lead to mould growth.

So avoid hanging your original painting in a damp area – bathrooms, kitchens and some basements are the worst culprits. If you want to put artwork in these areas it might be better to go for a print. Although art prints will still be susceptible to warping, at least they're replaceable if they do get damaged.

If you live in a really humid climate, a dehumidifier can help maintain a stable environment for your paintings.

And obviously avoid hanging your painting somewhere where it could be splashed on from a basin, bath or sink 😱

Cleaning your original painting safely

Be careful when cleaning an original painting so you don't do any damage to the paint surface:

• Don't use water or cleaning solutions – hopefully this is obvious, as water, soap or household cleaners could easily affect, smear or remove the paint as well as damaging the surface.
• Use a clean, soft brush (like a sable or makeup brush) to gently remove dust from the surface of the painting.
• For textured mixed media works you can try using a tin of compressed air to help remove any dust from crevices without touching the surface.

Proper framing for protection

As well as making your original painting look even more fabulous, framing helps protect it from dust, dirt and physical damage. Different types of frames are suited to different types of paintings:

Framing different painting mediums

Acrylic paintings – Since acrylic paint forms a flexible and durable surface, it doesn't necessarily need the protection of glass. A simple floating frame or traditional frame with a spacer can help protect the edges though.

Watercolour paintings – Because watercolours are painted on paper and so are more easily damaged, it's best to frame them with glazing - as I said earlier, you can choose UV protective glass or acrylic for extra protection.

Mixed media artworks – The best framing method can vary depending on the materials used. If the piece contains delicate or three dimensional elements, a deep shadow box frame will help to provide some space and protection.

Framing paintings on paper vs canvas

Paintings on paper – Watercolours and other paper based pieces can be more susceptible to moisture damage and yellowing. It's a good idea to frame them behind glass or acrylic with acid free mounts to help prevent any discolouration or deterioration. 

Paintings on canvas – Acrylic paintings on canvas are more durable but still need protection from dust and environmental factors. Although they don't need glass, they should still be framed properly or displayed on stretched supports.

Storing your paintings when they're not on display

If you need to store an original painting, perhaps because you're moving house, here are some tips to keep it in good condition.

• Don't roll paper based paintings up - unlike art prints, the paint on an original painting could crack if rolled up, so it's best to keep paper pieces flat.
• When moving a framed painting or canvas, hold it on the sides rather than the touching the painted surface.
  
• Wrap the painting properly in acid free tissue paper or glassine to cover the surface before wrapping it in eco friendly bubble wrap or similar. 
• Store paintings upright, rather than stacked on top of each other, to avoid pressure damage.
• Storing paintings in lofts, basements or garages isn't a good idea, as the temperature and humidity can be very changeable and cause deterioration.
• Don't lean stuff against it as his could damage the paint or surface or even make dents in a canvas. 

I hope this is useful! An original painting is an investment and, as it's one of a kind, it can never be replaced, so using these tips will help that piece that you've chosen so carefully to stay vibrant and fabulous for years to come 😊