Caring for your oil painting
Ed's paintings are created using oil paints on a medium grain stretched canvas, then varnished using a gloss, UV-protected varnish. They are made to last, but you may wish to consider the advice below to protect them from damage and to preserve them over the years.
Transporting your painting:
Never lean the surface of a stretched canvas on a pointed or sharp object, no matter how small, as it could dent or tear the surface. If you must lean it against something, lean it on the wood of its stretcher bars so that nothing presses against the canvas.
If you need to transport your painting, lay a flat piece of cardboard, hardboard or similar firm material over the front and back surfaces, and then wrap it in bubble wrap or use polystyrene. Try not to keep it wrapped up for too long to avoid moisture build-up, which could damage to the work.
Never expose your painting to extreme heat, extreme cold, or extreme humidity.
Framing and positioning your painting:
If you wish to frame your painting, consider the archival options on offer, such as archival boards and UV glazing. Try modern and traditional frames to see which you prefer. Often different styles can go equally well with a painting.
Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight could fade the colours in your oil painting over time. Please be aware of this when choosing a location for your work.
Think about how high you wish to hang your painting. Remember you want to enjoy looking at it and hang it at a good eye level. A recommended height is 156cm from the floor to the middle of the picture, depending on your own height and wall space.
Make sure your painting is hung securely and safely. Consider the weight of the painting and use suitably heavy screws and hooks. Be careful not to choose deep fixings that could pierce the front of the painting. Ask a framer for advice if you are not sure.
Cleaning your painting:
You might want to dust your painting regularly, so that a thick layer of dust does not build up which may dry out the paint and possibly result in cracking and peeling. Do not spray anything on the work. Dust with a soft, dry cloth. If the surface of your painting starts to look dry and dull, you may want to have it re-varnished. This will keep the surface intact and safe from cracking (except under extreme circumstances, of course). Get in touch with the artist for a price to have your painting re-varnished, or alternatively use a professional art restoration service.
Copyright:
Please note that the artist retains copyright of the painting. This means that nobody but the artist can alter the painting or copy, reproduce or photograph it for distribution or commercial gain without prior consent.