Small tips about taking care of your art:

• Storage planning is very important.
• Be careful of moisture being absorbed by the art works.
• While placing your art be careful that direct sunlight should not fall on art work as ultraviolet rays of the sun can damage our work.

• While storing large canvasses always roll the canvass with the painting showing on the outside.This reduces the risk of cracking of the paintwork.

• As against stacking canvasses its advisable for them to be hung.

• Do not use plastic to wrap the canvasses as moisture gets trapped in it resulting in the setting and growth of fungus.

• Washed muslin cloth is recommended for wrapping as it allows the work to breathe. Be sure that there is no starch in the cloth as starch attracts insects. I have muslin bag with small acrylic pocket on top in which I keep a photo the artwork.

• Multiple numbers of small paper works to be kept in cloth folders with acid free paper separating them. Please do not put sorted size paintings in one folder because if the painting moves, then there are chances of it getting damaged from the sides. So, it’s better to have separate folders as per the size of the painting.

• Multiple numbers of small paper works to be kept in cloth folders with acid free paper separating them. Please do not put sorted size paintings in one folder because if the painting moves, then there are chances of it getting damaged from the sides. So, it’s better to have separate folders as per the size of the painting.

• While stacking frames, remove the hanging clips from the back as they might damage the frame kept next to it.

• Avoid touching the surface of the painting as oils from your skin can damage paper and leave marks that cannot be removed.

• Do not place your painting in direct sunlight. Some hues such as reds can easily fade over time when placed in direct light.

• Use only acid-free materials to display your work. Also, don’t forget the backing. Never use regular cardboard. Over time, acids can leach out and do irreparable harm to your painting. Use of a backing creates extra space between your art and the surface of the frame.

• Special care should be taken while handling old valuable miniature paintings. It is advisable to change their mounts to acid-free mounts. Because in earlier days, acid-free mounts were not available easily. Take 2 acid-free mounts, attach the miniature painting with the hinge to one mount then cut the second mount according to the painting side and place it appropriately. This way you create space between the painting and the glass, thus giving room for air to circulate and also there are less chances, of painting sticking to the glass during dampness. Please use non-reflective glass for framing.
  Note: Be sure that the painting is put on the walls where there is no dampness and where it doesn’t have a direct contact with the ultraviolet rays, as they are made of vegetable dyes which are very susceptible to the weather changes. Some interior decorators out of fashion are embedding the painting inside the wall, this doesn’t give the painting breathing space from the back, which in turn can fade the colors of the painting, thus harming them.

• Paintings should ideally be displayed in temp. 16 to 25 degrees centigrade, 50 to 55 per cent relative humidity.

• Painting to be taking out from the wall periodically to clean the back of the painting.

• Have two pegs to hang the painting which will secure the painting, and also prevent it from tilting.

• Heavy paintings should be supported at the base.

• The painting should be stretched on a proper stretcher with flexible corners, so that the paintings can be tightened by driving in the keys.

• If you notice some fluffy spots, which appear white, green or grey in color it is almost certain that the painting is affected by fungus. The paintings should immediately be segregated from other paintings. When fungus attack is detected early the treatment is simple and is best if taken to a professional art restorer.

• Do not dust, if the painting is flaking.

• Do not hang a painting on a damp wall or store your paintings in a dark unventilated room.

• Do not hang a painting under air conditioners or in front of coolers or over a fireplace which is being used.

• Do not keep your painting hanging on the wall, when your house is being painted.

• Don’t rest a painting against furniture as sharp corners can damage it, while moving.

• Avoid rolling up paintings especially those with thick paint layer.

• Do not try to remove the polythene sheet, if it gets stuck on the paint film. It needs careful handling by an expert.

• Do not stick label directly on the back of painting as it creates distortions of the paint-layer.

I. Cleaning and dusting –

• Do not wipe the artwork with a wet cloth.

• Use a feather brush to remove the dust. The brush storks should be vertical, from up to down while dusting.

II. Lighting and framing

• Correct lighting very important to view the work.

• For watercolors use mounts, so that the glass does not touch artwork.

• Use acid free mounts.

• Advisable – to first give the size of the work to the frame maker and not to leave your artwork in the shop to avoid it being copied and exchanged. Once your frame is ready go and get your artwork put in the frame.

III. Restoration

• It should be reversible.
• Always use professional help.

• In case of fungus remove the frame and keep the work in early morning sunlight for a few hours.