FAQ - Art Care

Your art needs a little love and care to make sure it looks its best for years to come. Here are some tips to care for your vintage artwork and prints. If you have any questions about caring for your original art or prints, please drop me a note

Things to note about vintage art  : 

  1. Some of the natural aging of the art can be slowed by proper care.
  2. Oil paint becomes brittle with age, causing cracks and chips in the surface of the painting. This makes it even more important to display the artwork AWAY from where elements (extreme heat / cold, moisture / steam, direct light) can accelerate the natural aging of your painting. 
  3. Gilded frames are fragile and need to be handled thoughtfully. Do not rest the frame on its fancy (plaster) corners, they easily break and chip. 
  4. Avoid pressing on the surface of vintage canvases, as this can encourage paint to chip or crack. 

 

How to handle art : 

  1. Carry art from the edges or by the wire to not damage the surface of the painting. 
  2. Avoid directly touching art that is on paper, as even clean fingers can leave oily smudges on the paper 
  3. It is OK to gently touch the surface of your acrylic or oil paintings (if your fingers are clean!)
  4. Carry canvas securely by the frame or the hanging wire, don’t grasp the surface of the painting or you may leave dents in it. 

How to display art : 

  1. Hang your art on sturdy hooks. 
  2. Prevent watercolours and prints from fading by displaying out of direct sunlight.
  3. Prevent mold spots (foxing) by displaying in a dry place.
  4. If reframing, be sure it is matted to not allow the surface of the art to rest directly against the glass surface.
  5. Avoid hanging original art in the kitchen work area where it can be splattered with oils / food which is hard to clean off. 

How to keep art clean : 

  1. Lightly dust your art and frame every now and then (with a feather duster, vacuum attachment or just huff and puff like the big bad wolf!)
  2. Gently spot clean canvas with slightly damp cloth or cotton swab if needed.
  3. A lint roller can be used to gently remove dust from the back of a canvas.

 

If you have any questions about caring for original art, pop them in the comments!