Five top tips to care for your art
Decorating walls with paintings is classy, exquisite and more than a little daunting. Here are five things to remember that makes caring for them a piece of cake.
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Handling:
The key is to minimise contact with the painting - it keeps dirt and fingerprints away. Always remember to hold your paintings either from the outer edges or the bottom. If your piece of art is exceptionally large or heavy, feel free to call for extra help.
Hanging:
Appropriately sized, sturdy hardware must be used to hang the painting to ensure maximum stability. Be sure to keep the back of the painting from sticking to the wall - this will help reduce the possibility of damage through moisture in the walls and of dust accumulating. Ensure that none of the hardware is pressing into the canvas and that the tension of the canvas surface remains consistent.
Displaying:
While putting your art up for display, remember to pick a space that is away from any source of heat, has a relatively stable and reasonable level of humidity and is away from direct sunlight. Humidity can cause canvases to get fungal while heat and light can cause the paint to fade or dry and flake.
If you intend to light your painting, opt for low energy lights that tend to give off less heat. Also, do not place light directly above or beneath your canvas. It's always better to choose lighting that does not emit any UV radiation.
Cleaning:
After ensuring that there is no loose or flaking paint, the painting should be dusted using a clean and soft artists' natural hair brush with a tip between 3.5 and 5 cms. Position the painting on a clean padded surface, held upright and at a forward angle; this will ensure that the dust will fall away. Brush gently first in one direction and then the other. Never use a cloth, sponge or other material on the canvas and make sure that the cleaning materials are always dry or you risk compromising the texture of your painting!
Storage:
The best possible storage space for your art is a cool, dry one with good air circulation. Using packets of silicone gel if you suspect any amount of moisture or humidity is always a good idea. Keep your art wrapped in a material that allows breathing, like light muslin. Keep it away from heat and direct or harsh light. Also ensure that your storage area is not prone to attracting insects or rodents of any kind.
Go ahead, proudly display your original Da Vinci, or just your original originals!