Not only are they objects of beauty, but abstract art prints are also an excellent investment both spiritually and monetarily. Art can be inherited from one generation to another and can be used to depict a certain time in art history. These are some of the reasons that make it important for one to take proper care of their art pieces.
There is joy and satisfaction when you own original art pieces. Even so, with this ownership comes great responsibility. As the custodian of these pieces, you have to ensure that they are protected and cared for if you are to maintain or enhance their value.
How you care for your art collection depends on the type of material the piece is made of. Here are ways of how to care for various types of art pieces.
Table of Contents
Types of arts
Art comes in many different types including oil works, watercolour art, acrylic art, sculptured art, and drawings. All these types require individualized care as none is the same as the other.
Acrylic works
The best way to care for acrylic paintings is by dusting them with soft brushes. Because acrylic is a water-based pigmentation art form, exposure to moisture or water may damage it. You can ensure that the colour pigmentation remains at its best condition by hanging the painting away from direct sunlight.
Oil paintings
These are a strong type of art. Over time, the pigmentation on oil paintings hardens and can be varnished to add to their resilience. Even so, weeks or months of hanging on the walls will accumulate dirt and dust on the surface of the painting.
You can clean your oil paintings by gently wiping their surface with a damp piece of cloth. The oil used to make the painting is impervious to water and thus cannot be damaged. Ensure that you hang your wall paintings in cool and dry spaces as direct sunlight and moisture can alter the condition of the artwork.
Limited edition prints and drawings
These refer to artwork done on paper like the Loulou Avenue collection. Different artworks are done on different types of paper. Since paper is more delicate than canvas, these art pieces need proper care when handling. The best way to care for paper art pieces is to frame them behind glass. Avoid displaying these works in humid settings or under direct sunlight. These conditions cause the art to fade and the paper to discolour. If not displayed, you can store then in a portfolio away from direct light or moisture.
Watercolour paintings
Ensure that all your watercolours are framed with ultra-violet glass protector to prevent damage that can be caused by exposure to sun and moisture. When a watercolour comes into contact with water, severe damage can occur to the pigmentation and this will ruin your artwork. Once framed, it is easy to care for a watercolour. Simply clean the glass with a cloth and glass cleaner. Do not spray the cleaner directly to the glass as it can seep through to the artwork and cause damage.
Storing artwork
If you have artwork that is not hanging, you need to ensure that they are stored appropriately. The conditions under which you store these art pieces should be similar to the conditions they will face once they are hanged. Transitioning the art from a cold basement to a very hot showroom can cause damage to the art.
When storing art, you need to ensure that they are raised from the floor to allow easy airflow and to protect them from water.
For stored paintings, ensure you cover them with cotton sheets as opposed to polythene which can cause mould formation. Insert carton dividers between paintings to avoid exerting pressure on each painting.
Conclusion
Caring for art is easy when you have all the information you need. You must check on the condition of your art collection from time to time. For those in storage, Dust them and change the protective covering from time to time. You can use silica gels to protect the artwork from humidity.