There's no need to be intimidated before you buy an oil painting, follow a few simple rules and your artwork will last for decades. Here's my top tips:
- Your oil painting should be ready to hang, with a hanging cord securely attached. You just need to put a tack or hanging hook to your wall to secure it in place.
- Avoid placing the painting in direct sunlight, anywhere that might be at risk to damp or above a heat source like a radiator.
- Clean gently by using a feather duster, do not use any cleaning products or water on the painting. If there is an accident, mop up any liquid with a clean dry tea towel or cloth. Avoid using any duster or cloth that sheds fibres as this may stick to the painting.
- Beware, your painting is likely not yet 100% dry. As oil paints take 6 months to fully dry. It’s dry to the touch and can be cleaned with a duster, but it takes a long time to fully set.
- Once your painting is dry, I recommend applying a beeswax picture varnish. You can take this to a framing shop or get a specialist to do the job for you. This will seal the painting with a soft sheen, protecting it for years to come.
- Stretcher bars (small wooden bits) are used if the canvas starts to loosen. This doesn’t usually happen, but I do recommend taking the painting into a specialist in 5-10 years, who will clean the painting and use the stretcher bars if required
Oil painting, 'Bonnie', 40cm wide x 50cm height x 1.5cm depth
https://ruthegon.com/products/bonnie-oil-painting
Your painting will last decades with appropriate care and attention, and oil paintings stand out for their vibrant colours and depth of tone.
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