Caring For Your Art Tips
Read these 28 Caring For Your Art Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Framed Art tips and hundreds of other topics.
What size picture hook do I need?
Picture hooks come in many sizes: 10 lbs, 20 lbs, 30 lbs, 50 lbs and 100 lbs. The size you need will depend on the weight of your artwork.
Works on paper - handling
If you must touch a work on paper, be sure your hands are clean or wear white gloves.
Works on paper - light damage
Damage from light is cumulative and irreversible. Because all light will cause damage, conservators recommend that no work on paper be permanently displayed.
How should I hang my artwork?
Make sure you use a picture hook to hang your artwork. Do not just hammer a nail into the wall.
Works on paper - Other sources of damage
Sources of internal air pollution, such as copying machines, paint fumes, new carpets, janitorial supplies, and emmissions from wooden cabinets and attack paper.
Displaying artwork - uninsulated walls
If you are going to display your artwork on an uninsulated wall, use small rubber spacers on the back of the frame to increase air circulation. These spacers will keep the painting from resting directly on the wall.
Works on paper - Pollutant and gases
Ubiquitous pollutants from industrial gases, auto emmissions, and heating compounds are readily absorbed into paper, where they form harmful chemicals that discolor or embrittle.
Day to day care
There is really nothing you need to do. A light dusting, when needed, is fine and please make sure that you do not use a feather duster as it can scratch the paint. Use soft white bristle Japanese brushes, sable (typical makeup brush) or badger-hair brushes. Never use water or chemicals on a frame, painting or piece of sculpture. Water will remove gold leaf from a frame, can cause the paint to lift from your paintings, will stain a work on paper and can leave a film on your sculpture. The wrong chemicals can do even more damage. If you are unsure, please speak with a dealer, restorer or conservator in your area.
Where can I get a picture hook?
You can buy a picture hook at your local frame shop or hardware store.
At what height should I hang my artwork?
You should hang your artwork at eye-level, when possible. The best way to determine the proper height is to have someone hold the painting in the space while you step back and decide what is 'right' for you.
Ideal environment for paintings
Paintings generally do well in environmental conditions that are comfortable for people, with relative humidity levels between 40 and 60 percent.
Family photographs
Before framing your old family photographs consider having copies made for a record and to share with other family members. You can also have cherished, damaged photos restored with the same process. It is nice to mark the photos with the date, location, who is in the photos and the family relationship, so future generations can identify them. Bear in mind anything that is done to the back of a photo or any other work of art will eventually effect the front. Instead make an extra copy or mark the back of the framed photo.
hanging oils in the bathroom
It is best not to hang oil paintings in the bathroom as it may cause mold and the humidity can warp the stretchers.
Will sunlight hurt my painting?
It is important that you never hang your artwork in direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to the sun will cause the colors to fade.
Hanging a work of art in the bathroom
It is not advisable to hang an expensive work of art in a bathroom that has a tub or shower in it. The rapid changes in humidity levels will have a harmful effect on it.
Protective backing on paintings
It is important to have a protective backing on your paintings... especially those painted on canvas.
Paintings on panel
Owners of panel paintings should be particularly conscientious about avoiding unusually low or high relative humidity and temperatures to prevent warping, splitting, or breaking of the wood.
Works on paper - Dust and soot
Dust and soot will soil delicate, porous paper surfaces and are difficult to remove safely.
Works on paper - Best display conditions
The best display conditions are those with low light levels and no daylight. Block windows with shades, blinds, or curtains.
Displaying your artwork - paintings
It is best to display artwork on interior walls or insulated exterior walls.
Types of protective backings
One should use a Fome-Cor or archival board to protect the back of their artwork.
How many picture hooks do I need?
At ARTinaClick.com we recommend that to keep your artwork hanging level, it is best to use two hooks spaced 12 inches apart.
How often should I dust my work of art?
Dust you works every 4 - 6 months. Before you dust, examine the work for any loose of flaking paint. If you spot this, do not dust the work and contact a conservator.
Do Not ...
While this is a very easy thing to do, you should not take a single nail, hammer it straight into the wall and hang the work. More than likely, this will not be enough support for the work and you will find that one day, the painting may fall and sustain some damage – something we want to avoid!
For a step by step description please visit my 'Articles' section.
Suitable Environment
It is important to maintain a proper environment for your paintings as the structural components of a work of art will expand and contract as the surrounding temperature and humidity change.
Works on paper
The best solution is to mat, frame or store works in a manner that permits viewing and transporting without direct contact.
| Guru Spotlight |
| Sherril Steele-Carlin |
