Caring for acrylic on canvas paintings requires special attention and care to maintain their beauty and quality for many years to come. Acrylic paintings, due to their vibrancy and durability, are becoming a popular choice among artists and collectors. However, like any other work of art, they need proper care to maintain their original appearance and avoid damage.
Acrylic Paintings: History
Most of us, when purchasing original works of art, treat them with special attention and care, as if they were family heirlooms that will be passed down from generation to generation. These precious creations become part of our heritage, and we strive to ensure their long life and preservation of their beauty. Although it is impossible to predict everything that may happen in the future, with proper care you can be sure that the quality of your paintings will be maintained for years to come.
Acrylic canvas paintings are not only works of art, but also a technical achievement. Acrylic paints, first developed in the mid-20th century, provided artists with new creative possibilities. Paintings created using acrylic paints offer the benefits of both oil and watercolor painting, with added durability and time-resistance. Acrylic paint is generally not prone to cracking, wrinkling, or peeling, making it a great choice for creative projects.
The stretched canvas on which acrylic paints are applied also plays an important role in maintaining the quality of the work. Canvas as a material is sufficiently durable and resistant to environmental influences, making it an ideal medium for acrylic paintings. However, despite the strength and durability of acrylic works, they still require proper care to maintain their beauty over the years.
Behavior and properties of acrylic paints
📌 There are two main groups of acrylic paints used in fine art: those that are solvent-based and those that are water-based. Solvent-based acrylic paints, such as Magna, dissolve in mineral spirits. However, few artists choose to use solvent-based acrylics. Regular water-based acrylic paints and acrylic emulsion paints are water-soluble.
📌 Dried acrylic paint is insoluble in water and usually dries in less than thirty minutes. In comparison, oil paint remains soft to the touch for 48 hours after application. The drying process for acrylic paint is different from oil paint: acrylic paint “dries” by evaporation of the water solvent, while oil paints dry by exposure to oxygen from the air and evaporation of the solvent.
📌 The surfaces of acrylic paintings are usually less hard than those of oil paintings. This makes them more susceptible to dust and dirt. Over time, acrylic paint may even bleed around the particles, which can create a veil effect.
📌 To improve the properties of acrylic paints, various substances are often added. These include thickeners, stabilizers, preservatives, surfactants, coalescing solvents and defoamers. Some of these additives are soluble in water, while others are soluble in solvents.
📌 Acrylic paintings are generally less prone to cracking than oil paintings due to their flexibility and ability to withstand stress without breaking. However, cracks may appear on the surface of acrylic works.
📌 When exposed to low temperatures, acrylic becomes more brittle and may crack. Some acrylic paintings may become gray or yellow over time.
Acrylic paintings in frames
When considering whether an acrylic painting should be framed, opinions may vary. Unlike watercolors or pastels, acrylic paintings do not necessarily need protection under glass. This is because acrylic paint remains permanent once it dries, and the canvas surface on which it is applied is usually durable enough not to be damaged under normal storage conditions.
Most experts agree that acrylic paintings can be left unframed, as they are durable enough to retain their original appearance even without additional protection. Some owners prefer this approach to highlight the clean, natural feel of the canvas.
However, if you decide to frame your acrylic painting, there are several aspects to consider. Firstly, the presence of glass can be a concern due to the possible accumulation of moisture, which can negatively affect the paintings. Additionally, glass can distort the perception of a piece of art due to its reflective nature. In such cases, you can consider a floating frame that surrounds the canvas without the use of glass, while maintaining aesthetics and protecting the painting from mechanical damage.
Difficulties in cleaning acrylic paintings
Indeed, acrylic paintings, due to their soft texture, are prone to dust accumulation, which can easily stick to the paint. While a glass barrier is not necessary to protect art, the question of how to keep unframed canvas free of dust remains a valid question.
Cleaning acrylic paintings is a topic that has many different opinions surrounding it. Some people believe that cleaning should be avoided altogether for fear of negatively impacting the artwork. Other art industry experts say you can use a soft cloth to gently wipe down your painting without any serious consequences.
It is important to exercise caution when cleaning acrylic paintings. We agree that the use of abrasive products and tools may cause damage to the artwork. If you need to clean an acrylic painting, it is recommended to use a soft cloth with a little water and olive oil soap. Another way to get rid of dust from the surface of acrylic paintings is to use compressed air, which can be purchased at office supply stores. This method is usually more gentle and safer for works of art.
Thermal sensitivity
Acrylic paint becomes soft at temperatures around 60°C, indicating its high heat sensitivity. This means that using a hot table or other heat source to line acrylic paintings is not advisable and may cause the artwork to warp.
Backing is often used in the conservation of acrylic paintings to provide additional tissue support to the weakened structure. This process involves the use of heat, vacuum (negative pressure) and solvents combined with adhesives and adhesion. It is important to note that a temperature above 60°C is required for the procedure to be successful.
However, you should be careful with lining methods involving heat, vacuum and solvents, as these can cause the acrylic paint to warp. The unique artist's brush strokes and impasto (thicker paint) characteristic of acrylic work can become flat due to improper exposure, causing the artwork to lose both aesthetic and monetary value.
Pressure sensitivity
The soft film formed on the surface of an acrylic painting is extremely vulnerable to damage. Even light nail pressure or rubbing can cause dents or paint loss. This is especially important for large abstract paintings where the surface must remain perfect to maintain the character of the image.
Damage of this type can significantly affect the perception of a work of art and its aesthetic quality. Even small defects can lead to a loss of value of the painting and irreversible changes in its appearance. Therefore, it is important to take measures to protect acrylic paintings from mechanical damage and keep their surface in pristine condition.
Approach to Cleaning Acrylic Paintings
The approach to cleaning acrylic paintings requires special attention and care to maintain their quality and aesthetic appeal. After all, even small mistakes or incorrect methods can cause irreparable damage to a work of art. Before you begin cleaning, you should be familiar with the basic principles and guidelines that will help you avoid potential damage and maintain the integrity of your acrylic painting.
✔ When assessing the condition and subsequent decision to intervene in conservation processes, it is important to ask yourself the question: “Is this intervention really necessary?” Contemporary conservation ethics emphasize the importance of a minimalist approach to the treatment of works of art. This approach is based on the recognition of the irreversible changes that can occur as a result of intervention and the growing understanding among conservation professionals. Simple processing methods that pose minimal risk to the artwork are usually easy to justify. While aggressive methods, such as wet cleaning without a guaranteed result, require special attention and justification before their use.
✔ Before starting any processing procedures on an acrylic painting, a thorough assessment of its surface is carried out. The goal is to determine whether the product can withstand the planned manipulations without damaging its structure. During the assessment, it is important to identify the following points: how stable the surface of the painting is; are there areas with poor adhesion, where the paint does not adhere well or where brittle areas are possible; what is the current state of surface gloss and what changes to expect after treatment; Is there any varnish on the surface of the painting and, if so, is it possible to safely remove it?
✔ Knowing the materials an artist used to create a painting is extremely helpful. Therefore, it is important for conservators to have access to documentation that contains information about the preparation of the canvas, the materials used, the type of media, the insulating layer used and the varnish. Providing such documentation along with the painting allows for more efficient and secure processing. A copy of this documentation should also be kept by the artist himself so that the original information can be referred to if necessary.
✔ The nature of the substance that needs to be removed is determined. This could be dirt deposited on the surface, soot, or a combination of both.
📌 It must be remembered that minimizing surface contact is a key aspect of the cleaning process, so any initial measures must be considered accordingly. One effective method is to use compressed air to remove surface dust. Another method involves using a soft sable brush to gently scrub the surface, removing dust while holding a vacuum source above the surface to collect and remove debris. The optimal approach depends on the specific features of the painting and its condition, so it is important to choose cleaning methods that are most effective and safe for the preservation of the work of art.
✔ If the dirt shows persistence and is not completely removed by vacuuming, the next step may be to use dry cleaning methods with more active contact with the surface. These methods differ from chemical solutions and water washing. Instead, special materials are used, such as hydrophobic sponges and molecular traps, which are able to break the physical bond between the dirt and the paint surface without leaving any residue of their own. It is important to avoid using materials such as erasers that can fill the pores of the paint and damage it. If you need to use tape to remove dirt from a painting, it is important to make sure that it does not leave a residue.
📌 When using any cleaning method that involves surface contact, it is recommended that the painting be placed on flexible supports with an appropriate backing to minimize surface deformation and ensure even pressure distribution.
✔ In extreme cases, a wet cleaning method may be necessary, but this only applies to stable and undamaged surfaces. However, the potential dangers of this approach should be considered. Wet cleaning can actually thicken the layer of dirt, trapping it deeper into the structure of the painting and making the situation worse. It may also cause moisture marks to form on the support due to the concentration of dissolved material on the wet edge. Wet cleaning may also cause changes in paint rheology, which should also be taken into account.
📌 One of the effective and time-tested cleaning methods is the so-called “enzymatic cleaning”. This method involves soaking a cotton swab in your own saliva and gently running it over the surface of the painting. Saliva contains enzymes that can effectively break down lipids and proteins, the two main components of dirt. It is important to emphasize that with this method you just need to roll the swab over the surface and not rub it, in order to avoid possible damage to the painting. This process should be gentle and gentle, and surface moisture should be kept to a minimum. Before starting the procedure, it is recommended to test on a small, inconspicuous area of the painting and carefully observe changes in gloss and color. Somsetimes the use of so-called "Japanese cloth", which allows dirt and moisture to be drawn away from the painting, can be useful. Deionized water may also be a suitable choice for wet cleaning, but its use must also be cautious and carefully regulated.
✔ The final (and initial) step is to assess the factors that led to the need for the cleaning procedure. Should we seek a cleaner environment to prevent the painting from becoming re-contaminated? Should I consider applying a removable varnish to protect the surface from the elements and keep it clean in the future? These questions will help determine not only the need for current intervention, but also take steps to prevent recurrence of problems in the future.
Our catalog contains both acrylic paintings and works created by other artistic techniques. We offer a variety of styles, genres and themes to satisfy the tastes of the most demanding customers. Our collection includes works in oils, watercolors, graphics, mixed media and many other artistic methods. From abstract compositions to realistic portraits, you're sure to find a piece of art that will fill your home with comfort and beauty.