Oil Painting Care
Caring for oil paintings is not difficult, but does require some basic knowledge. Poor oil painting care can lead to color degradation, canvas damage and other problems. Taking good care of your oil paintings will allow you to enjoy your art for years and generations to come.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Soft brush for dusting
- Warm water
- Mild detergent
- Clean, new cotton cloths
- Vacuum with brush attachment
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Know the basics about oil painting. Oil paints use linseed oil mixed with pigments to create durable works of art. The paint can be applied thinly or quite thickly and the type of application will determine the texture of the final painting. Oil paints are applied to canvases that have been stretched over a basic wooden frame.
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Be sure your oil paintings are properly framed. While you may be used to framing artwork under glass, oil paintings must be framed without glass. The framing serves to accent the painting and cover the edges of the canvas. Some modern artists choose to display oil paintings unframed, preferring the simplicity of the final product. While glass will protect from dust, it makes the painting harder to appreciate and can even damage the delicate surface.
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Protect your oil paintings from environmental damage. Many of us have seen before and after images of oil paintings that have been cleaned, and can see the harm done by smoke and air pollution. Eliminate any smoking near oil paintings, and limit the use of candles and incense. If you have an especially valuable oil painting, you may prefer to hang it outside of direct sunlight and UV exposure. These steps are essential when caring for artwork of any sort.
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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.
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Consider professional cleaning and restoration services. Often, the varnish on old oil paintings has aged to a deep yellow tone, causing the colors in your painting to become less vibrant. A professional art restorer can clean your painting and restore it to its original beauty. This can be costly, but may be worthwhile for a treasured piece of artwork.
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Tips & Warnings
Regular cleaning can prevent the need for costly restoration services.
Be wary of solvents intended to remove varnish. These can be destructive.
