This information is good to know if you love Original Art and like to collect it, but are not in Arty circles, or not an Artist yourself. Much of how you look after an Artwork will depend on what type of Artwork it is e.g. a painting or a drawing or a watercolour and what surface it has been create on e.g. canvas, paper, wood.
To Glass or not to Glass
Even though I Matt seal my fragile artworks before Sale I recommend all fragile and smudgeable Artworks like watercolours, pastels and mixed media (example shown is watercolour and ink Artwork 'Mother's Nature') should usually be framed with glass for long term protection. Glass framing also protects from dirt, water and fingerprints that may get onto your Original Art Investments. Fragile Original Art, treated well, will be able to be enjoyed for many, many years to come and passed on to family members as treasured memories or gifts.
Oil and acrylic paintings like 'Owl I Want Is You' can also be framed with glass but most people do not do this. Occasionally, people decide they would like the extra protection of glass, or they select a frame for the artwork which is more conducive to inserting glass. Generally speaking, oil and acrylic paintings are enhanced without glass and it is usually not necessary. All my own Acrylic or Oil paintings always include layers of protective Gloss, Satin or Matt Varnish. Most oil and acrylic paintings are created on Gallery Wrapped stretched canvas (on a wooden frame) so that you can simply hang them as is. This is how I present most of my acrylic or oil paintings so as to avoid the need for my customers to purchase extra frames (unless they want to, and some do).
A Bit of Water Can Save The Day!
Stretched Canvas can also be easily rejuvenated, if the canvas gets a little loose over time by spraying a little water onto the back of the canvas (don't soak it!) and allowing to dry. As the canvas dries, it will shrink back a little and firm up the presentation of the Artwork again. Simple and no cost fix :)
Of course, if your Artwork has been very stretched, something heavy has been resting on it for a long time, this technique may not work as effectively and you may need to get your Original Art re-framed.
Handling your Original Art
Although it is tempting to run your hands over your Original Art, avoid touching it where you can. Even with the cleanest of hands the natural oils in your fingers will transfer onto the art surface and may leave a mark, which many not be visible until many years later.
Looking for Original Australian Art? Something Unique, Quirky, Colourful or Whimsical?
Visit my web site at: http://www.lisafrancesjuddartist.com ORIGINALS FOR SALE NOW ~ Affordable Pricing too.
Lisa Frances Judd ~ Original Australian Art
