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
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Your painting will last decades with appropriate care and attention, and oil paintings stand out for their vibrant colours and depth of tone.ÂIf you would like to get my blogs direct to your inbox, sign up here:
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