Artwork can be a great investment but it needs to be cared for. Here are some tips to do just that.
Avoid Exposure To Direct Light Or Frame Accordingly
Exposure to direct sunlight can saturate and fade the colors of your framed artwork. It is important to frame the art piece in an area where it doesn’t get direct sunlight and only gets the occasional indirect light.
On the off chance that you insist on displaying your piece in an area with direct sunlight, make sure you have the piece framed with UV-protected plexiglass. Acrylic has the ability to repel and filter light without causing the sunlight to fade your beloved works of art aiding in artwork protection.
Control The Humidity
One of the greatest enemies of high-end framed artwork is humidity. In fact, too much humidity can cause damage to your art, which is why it’s important to monitor humidity levels in your home. Ideally, humidity should be no more than 55% indoors for optimum artwork display.
Avoid Touching The Art
One of the hardest things for people to do is to avoid touching their artwork with their bare hands. The dirt and oils on your hand can actually irreparably damage the art by causing degradation and discoloration. Combat these problems by wearing cotton gloves to handle the work.
Keep The Glass Clean
It’s important to properly keep the glass or acrylic clean that’s protecting your artwork. Make sure to use an ammonia-free cleaning agent and a non-abrasive microfiber cloth to gently wipe away dust.
Always Dust Unframed Paintings
Some paintings naturally look better without being framed behind glass, but they require special care. Ensure that you never use any cleaning agents directly on an unframed piece. Use a duster to lightly keep the dust away, but never rub or scrub the surface.
Store Unframed Pieces Flat And Separated
Not everyone has the budget to get their artwork framed right away, but make sure to avoid storing it rolled up in a tube. Store unframed pieces completely flat, and this is especially important if your piece has heavy layered paint or embellishments that may get damaged from being rolled up.
If you have several pieces of art to store, make sure you store them separately to ensure they don’t cause surface damage to each other. Place conservation mat board between the different pieces to ensure that they’re free from acid damage, creasing or curling.
Store In A Dark Place
Unframed artwork is especially prone to suffering damage and for that reason, make sure you store it in a cool, dry, and dark place. Keep the art away from any sources of humidity or direct light damage because it can result in fading, mold, or mildew spots. Art that has suffered some form of damage is never the same again and loses its value based on the extent of the damage!
Invest In A Solander Box
If you need long-term storage for your artwork, you may wish to invest in a solander box. This box is large enough to store artwork while providing a completely archival zone away from the elements. These boxes are also free from damaging acids that may lead to art degradation and have hinged front panels that keep the art safe. Most conservation art suppliers stock these boxes for the general public.
