How to care for watercolor paintings?

Caring for watercolor paintings requires special attention and care, given their fragility and tendency to damage. This art form has a unique combination of beauty and aesthetics, attracting lovers with its delicate shades, harmonious mixing of colors and transparency.

Watercolor paintings done on absorbent surfaces such as textured paper are delicate creations that require proper care. Colored pigments mixed with water and bound with gum arabic create a special effect that remains on the surface after the water evaporates.

To preserve the beauty and durability of your watercolor painting, you should follow a few simple care rules.

General care of watercolor paintings

General care of watercolor paintings

 

If you're looking to take extra care of your treasured pieces, consider the following tips.

📌 Do not touch watercolor paintings directly with your hands.

📌 Be sure to wear nitrile gloves for added protection when handling artwork.

📌 Be sure to use a backing board as support when moving artwork from place to place.

📌 Also, try to avoid contact with other surfaces of your watercolor work to prevent possible damage or contamination. Careful handling and precautions will help keep your watercolor masterpieces in excellent condition for many years to come.

How to properly store watercolor paintings

How to properly store watercolor paintings

 

Watercolor paintings are a material that requires special care. If you have watercolor artwork that is not yet framed, it is important to store it properly to preserve the paper and avoid damage to corners and edges.

📌 Be sure to store unframed artwork flat and level. Many artists use special boxes or cabinets for this, where works are placed in layers on acid-free materials.

📌 Do not store unframed works in plastic covers as this may damage the surface of the painting.

📌 Avoid storing unframed watercolor paintings in dark, dusty areas where temperatures fluctuate and insects may be present. Such conditions can cause serious damage to your artwork.

Watercolor should be framed

Watercolor should be framed

 

The best solution for storing watercolors is to frame them behind glass, and for good reason.

Watercolor works are usually created on paper, which quickly deteriorates if left outdoors. In addition, a waterproof coating is never applied to the paper before applying paint, so as not to complicate the process of color distribution. Most artists do not use protective varnish on their work, leaving it vulnerable to environmental damage.

Watercolor paints react to moisture: colors can mix, smudge, or lose brightness, damaging the painting. Glass will protect it from dust and moisture.

You may not like the idea of putting beautiful watercolors behind glass, but even dust can damage your work permanently. The paper on which watercolors are created is very delicate and can be easily damaged by dust. The glass protective panel will protect your artwork from dust, moisture, insects, mold and mildew.

Make sure the glass your framer uses has a UV protective coating. Plexiglas or UV-coated glass are ideal for this purpose.

Now you understand why experts recommend painting watercolors behind glass.

Do's and don'ts when framing painting

While framing artwork on paper seems like a simple task, matting and framing play a particularly important role in protecting watercolor paintings for many reasons. Watercolor artists usually prefer raw paper as it is the most efficient method. In this regard, do not hesitate to seek help from a professional designer of your watercolor. A reputable frame manufacturer should be knowledgeable about the appropriate materials for each application, but if in doubt, don't hesitate to ask questions.

📌 It is IMPORTANT to insist on using acid-free materials on all paper products that will come into direct contact with your artwork.

📌 Be sure to check that your designer provides archival design.

📌 It is necessary to ensure that the artwork is protected with high quality glass during the framing process. There are three levels of glass that can be used to frame your watercolor painting: Preservation Clear, Reflection Control Glass, and Museum Glass.

📌 Be sure to include in your framing process the buffering of the artwork itself by using a spacer between the glass surface and the work.

Archiving techniques are important

Archival design ensures the preservation of the appearance, durability and quality of your work of art for decades to come. A well-preserved piece of art will last much longer than many other furnishings, including your favorite rugs and sofas.

What is archival design?

Archival design involves the use of materials that do not have any impact on the painting. The mat, backing and loops used to secure the painting to the mat are completely acid free.

For the board of the mat, it is recommended to use cotton or linen fabric, which does not contain harmful acids and is considered to be of the highest quality.

The use of adhesives is strictly excluded for high-quality design. Paper strips or Japanese paper loops are ideal for attaching a design to a rug as they are archival quality and will not permanently affect the painting.

Archival framing is essentially a completely reversible process that does not physically alter the original artwork.

The importance of frame quality

When choosing archival framing, you should limit yourself to a minimal selection of colors. While we often prefer bright shades on frames to give the art that extra pop, for archival framing you're advised to stick with neutral tones.

If you require a display display with decorative elements, consider custom decorative frames. They will provide an elegant combination of style and functionality for your artwork. 

When using non-archival frames, it is important to ensure that the inside of the frame that is in contact with the artwork is treated with a pH neutral material.

How to hang watercolor paintings correctly

How to hang watercolor paintings correctly

 

Exposure to certain factors, such as direct sunlight, can cause your watercolor paintings to fade. Additionally, there are many other harmful factors that can damage your art. So when you receive a watercolor painting and are deciding where to place this treasured object in your home, keep the following in mind.

What is right and what is wrong

📌 Do not hang watercolor paintings in areas exposed to direct sunlight. While high-quality glass finishes are beneficial, their UV protection ranges from only 50%. If you can't avoid these rays completely, consider protecting your favorite watercolors with acrylic plexiglass to reduce the harmful effects.

📌 You should not hang a watercolor painting in a room where the main source of lighting is fluorescent or incandescent lamps. These light sources emit small amounts of UV rays. Either turn down the LED lights or find another room to hang your watercolors where the impact will be minimized.

📌 You should not display your artwork in a room that is exposed to oils or appliances that produce heat. The kitchen may not be the best choice for hanging watercolor paintings, but fear not, you have other options.

📌You should not display your artwork in a room where humidity and moisture are normal elements of the environment. These factors can lead to mold and other damage to the artwork. In other words, your bathroom may not be the best place to display original watercolors.

No drastic changes to the environment

No drastic changes to the environment

 

Sudden changes in the environment can also negatively affect the condition of the paintings. Museums and art galleries maintain certain parameters, such as low temperature (usually below 20 degrees Celsius) and optimal humidity (50–65%). This is done in order to provide the best possible conditions for the preservation of valuable works of art.

Unless you have antique watercolors that require extra care, your home HVAC system should provide adequate protection for the rest of the art. It is important that the filtration system maintains stable environmental conditions, not only for watercolors, but for all other valuable works.

Make sure that your home does not have sudden fluctuations in temperature and humidity, as this can damage all your art treasures and reduce their longevity.

Caring for watercolor paintings requires care and knowledge about the features of their care. It is important to store and frame watercolors correctly to prevent damage and preserve their beauty for many years to come. Direct sunlight, sudden changes in temperature and humidity, and contact with harmful chemicals should be avoided. Regular care and careful handling will help keep your watercolor works in excellent condition.

In addition, in our catalog of watercolor paintings you will find paintings for every taste and color. We offer a wide selection of works of different styles and styles so that everyone can find something to their liking and decorate their home with unique and beautiful watercolor paintings.

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