Care Instructions

Taking good care of your artwork will help preserve its beauty for years to come. Here are some tips for keeping your art in the best condition, based on the materials used:

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Acrylic on Canvas (Varnished)

• Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth or microfiber duster to gently wipe off dust. Avoid using any water or cleaning solutions on the surface.

• Display: Keep the artwork out of direct sunlight, as prolonged exposure to UV light can cause colors to fade. Avoid hanging in areas with high humidity, such as bathrooms or kitchens.

• Handling: Try to handle the canvas by the edges and avoid pressing on the surface to prevent stretching or damaging the fabric. It’s also best to avoid placing anything against the canvas that could cause dents.

 
Acrylic on Canvas Board (Varnished)

• Cleaning: Gently dust with a soft cloth. Avoid using water or any chemical cleaners.

• Display: Like with canvas, keep acrylic on canvas board away from direct sunlight and humid areas. While more rigid than traditional canvas, canvas boards are still vulnerable to moisture.

• Handling: Handle with care and avoid bending the board. You may want to frame it to provide extra protection and enhance its longevity.

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Acrylic on Wooden Panel (Varnished)
Cleaning: Use a dry, soft cloth to remove any dust. Do not use water or cleaners.
Display: Ensure your wooden panel is hung away from direct sunlight and humidity. Wooden panels are sturdy but can still warp or swell in high-moisture areas.
Handling: Panels are more durable but can still be scratched or chipped, so handle with care. Like with other acrylics, it’s best to avoid touching the painted surface directly.

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Watercolour on Watercolour Paper 

• Cleaning: Watercolours are delicate, so avoid touching the surface. Dusting should be done carefully with a clean, soft cloth or a soft brush.

• Display: Always keep watercolour paintings out of direct sunlight, as they can fade quickly under UV exposure. Framing them with UV-protective glass or acrylic is highly recommended. It’s also important to avoid hanging watercolours in areas with high humidity, as paper can warp and buckle.

• Handling: Handle as little as possible, and if you need to move it, do so by the edges or while wearing clean, dry gloves to avoid oils from your skin transferring to the paper.

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Gouache on Watercolour Paper ​

• Cleaning: Gouache is a water-based medium and remains re-soluble even after drying, so avoid touching or attempting to clean the painted surface directly. If needed, gently dust with a clean, soft brush - never use water or cloths.

• Display: As with watercolours, gouache paintings should be framed behind glass or acrylic (ideally UV-protective) and kept out of direct sunlight. Avoid humid rooms to prevent paper from warping.

• Handling: Handle by the edges only, and frame as soon as possible to protect the surface. Gouache can be especially vulnerable to smudging if unframed or exposed.

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Oil on Canvas  (Pre-treated, Not Yet Fully Varnished)

• Cleaning: For now, treat gently - a light dust with a soft, dry cloth is best. Do not use water or cleaners. Avoid touching the surface directly, especially if the painting is still curing.

• Display: Keep the painting out of direct sunlight and away from moisture or extreme temperatures. If it's painted on paper, framing behind glass is highly recommended.

• Handling: Oil paintings take several months to fully cure - usually between 6 to 12 months depending on thickness and conditions. Until fully cured, the surface can remain vulnerable, so handle with care.

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• A pre-treat varnish has been applied to protect the artwork during the curing process - but for full protection and a unified finish, a final varnish will be needed later.

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Final Varnishing Options:

• Varnish it yourself: Once cured, you can apply a removable varnish such as Gamvar (by Gamblin). Follow the instructions on the bottle and apply gently with a soft brush in a dust-free space.

• Or return it to me: If you’d prefer, you're very welcome to return the painting to me after a year of the painting date, and I’ll varnish it for you free of charge. (You can check the painting date on the back of the piece or on the certificate of authenticity.)

• If your painting is over a year old when you purchased it from me, it will already have been fully varnished and no further action is needed.

• A proper final varnish helps your painting stay vibrant and protected for decades to come.

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General Tips for All Artwork

• Avoid Moisture: Regardless of the medium, avoid displaying art in areas of high humidity like bathrooms, as moisture can damage the materials.

• Framing: Framing for paper based art work not only adds aesthetic value but also protects your artwork from dust, light, and physical damage.

• Temperature: Keep your art in stable environments with moderate temperatures to prevent any warping or damage over time.

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