If there’s one thing we art enthusiasts know, it’s that art is priceless. As a result, learning how to preserve your art properly is essential for caring for your work, especially when you’re moving or redesigning your home. This understanding is also necessary if you intend to rotate the display of your parts. After all, displaying a painting for a lengthy period of time might damage it by causing fading and cracking. So, from the best fine art institute in Dehradun, here are 8 things that you should know about preserving your artwork properly.
Abstain From Direct Sunlight
Exposure to light, particularly direct sunlight, is one of the primary reasons why paintings degrade after being shown. This is because most painting materials react chemically to UV rays.
With low contact, oil and acrylics can be rather robust, but it’s still not worth the risk. Colors in an oil painting tend to brighten in direct sunshine and darken when stored in total darkness. Some contemporary research even implies that exposure to sunshine should be limited over time. Canvas may also be harmed, thus any piece with an exposed section of the canvas should not be placed in a location where sunlight can reach it.
Keep An Eye on The Humidity
Humidity is another component that might induce a chemical reaction in your artwork. The recommended humidity level for a gallery is 55%. It is strongly suggested to use a hygrometer to measure the inherent moisture inside an enclosed environment.
Other devices, such as air blowers, that can promote ventilation and assist regulate excess moisture, are also recommended.
Keep Your Artwork Somewhere Cool, Dry, and Dark
Regarding the last point, the best place to preserve your work is somewhere cold, dry, and dark with low-temperature variations. If you don’t have a better alternative, a pedestal fan may substantially aid in cooling down an otherwise hot and humid space.
Another suggestion is to hide windows and other light sources with blackout drapes.
Do Not Clean Your Paintings
Paintings are very sensitive to moisture and cannot be cleaned with water and soap, regardless of how gentle your cleaning solution is. In fact, if you can help it, try to avoid touching the painting’s surface.
As an institute that has been providing painting classes in Dehradun for years, we have come to realize that the best way to clean your paintings is to use a soft duster with slow and precise strokes to prevent chipping off any damaged paint flakes. This would definitely clean your painting and preserve it for a long time.
Consider Using a Solander Box
You might want to think about purchasing a solander box for smaller pieces. It is an acid-free book-form case that conservationists generally use to conserve antique manuscripts, maps, and other significant works of art and documentation.
Maintain The Cleanliness of Your Glass or Acrylics
It is strongly advised to dust glass and acrylic casings on a regular basis to prevent dirt and grime from accumulating. If you absolutely must clean the glass, use a mild glass cleaner and a delicate microfiber cloth. For sections that can no longer be detached from their frames, ensure that moisture does not penetrate into the frame as well.
Don’t Store Your Work in a Tube
Due to the potential for future breaking and irreversible creasing, it is not advised to preserve your paintings rolled within a tube. If you’re not intending to frame and hang your works right away, keeping them flat is always the best option.
Keep Your Hands to Yourself
Another material that might induce a chemical reaction in your paintings is natural oil.
This is why one should always use cotton gloves when handling art. This will also save you from leaving fingerprints on works that haven’t completely dried, or worse, scraping things off with your fingernails.
That’s all, then!
We’re convinced that if you follow the advice we’ve given you, you’ll be able to retain the beautiful state of the collection you’ve spent so much money on for a very long time. As the best fine art institute in Dehradun, we believe that artwork is a fantastic investment that is appreciated greatly over time. It may also have an impact on your life and the lives of those who have had the opportunity to see it, so take care of it as much as you can.
