You want your new painting to have its vibrant colors and endearing appearance for as long as possible after you purchase it. Improper handling and storage conditions can lead to significant damage to artwork as time goes by. Without proper precautions, your new wall decoration may end up resembling a drooping canvas with colors that fade and paint that cracks. Do you know what to do to make your canvas artwork for sale last longer? Take note of these important considerations.

(1) Humidity and temperature

Significant temperature and humidity swings should keep the space at a comfortable temperature. Keep large rooms at a temperature of at least 10 degrees Celsius throughout the winter months. A combination of temperature regulation and natural airing or ventilation is required in the building. Less stringent regulations apply to the storage of canvas painting wall décor as well.

(2) Lighting

Dark environments can cause oil paint or the oil varnish that covers the canvas for wall décor to become yellow, making the artwork appear darker overall. There are more microbes that can damage a painting in a dark setting, but light kills most of them. On the other hand, light has two sides; it may also damage artwork. The consequences can have a devastating impact.

Keep in mind:

Oil paintings are especially vulnerable to the damaging effects of direct sunshine, which contains a high concentration of ultraviolet radiation.

• The incandescent light bulb, which emits around 80% infrared rays—the light most harmless to paintings—is the safest option.
• Because fluorescent light is so similar to natural sunlight, it can have varying effects on artwork (lamp type dependent).
• Keep a metre of space between the canvas and any high-power lights (100 W incandescent or 20 W fluorescent). Length of exposure is the primary determinant of light’s effects; the longer it is, the more alterations occur.

(3) Pollutants in the air

Dust, gases, soot, smoke, and other pollutants play a significant role in influencing the preservation of wall art. When you turn photo into canvas, one of the primary methods to safeguard paintings from pollutants is:

• Installation of air conditioners and filters (avoid placing paintings directly beneath the air conditioner).

• Removing dust mechanically.

• Store paintings individually in protective packaging, such as cardboard mats and special museum glass that shields from ultraviolet rays.

To clean oil paintings, just moisten cotton swabs with saliva and use them to remove most of the surface dust. Use a small amount of white spirit to clean areas with grease dust. Be cautious not to damage the varnish layer on the canvas surface. It can be particularly risky for newly finished paintings; older pieces protected by mastic or dammar varnishes are more resilient to white spirit. It’s important to also clean the back of the painting occasionally.

(4) Safety measures for handling and hanging

Take special care when you turn picture into canvas. It’s important to value its longevity. Keep only clean, dry hands on the painting at all times to protect the canvas. Cover the artwork with acid-free tissue paper before wrapping it tightly in bubble wrap for safe transportation or relocation. With this extra safeguard, accidental shipment scratches or damage might be lessened.

It’s important to keep your artwork out of direct sunshine. The exposure to direct sunlight can affect the texture and paper or surface on which the painting is done. Use strong, high-quality hardware for attaching artwork.

Be careful not to hang the artwork too low to the floor or ceiling, since the canvas will be affected over time by the high temperature changes in such regions.

(5) Keep up with routine checks and upkeep

You may catch problems with your canvas artwork before they get worse if you check it often. Verify that there are no visible indications of color change, distortion, or texture loss. For advice on what to do if you find anything out of the ordinary, talk to an expert art conservator.

Dusting and cleaning your artwork on a frequent basis can help preserve it in perfect shape. Use a clean, gentle brush or microfiber cloth to gently remove dust. Be cautious not to use abrasive materials or excessive pressure while cleaning the paint and varnish layers since they are sensitive.

(6) Think about the framing

Besides being a matter of personal taste, the frame you choose for your canvas artwork can affect how long it lasts. As you personalize canvas art, be sure to choose frames constructed from materials that are suitable for archival storage to prevent degradation. Using UV-protective glass or acrylic can further shield your items from the staining and fading that UV radiation can cause. If you want to keep mildew and mold at bay, your framing has to be done properly with enough of space between the boards so air can flow and water can’t pool under them.