Taking care of an oil painting is a bit of a science, but it can be more difficult when you get different advice from different sources. It can be challenging to know which advice to follow. So, let’s talk about the reality of taking care of an oil painting and how to make sure that your painting remains top quality.
It is very important to let oil paintings breathe. Oil dries through the oxidation process. In other words, you need to allow oxygen to reach the painting to allow the oil to dry. Without letting the painting breathe, you risk the painting not fully drying.
Let’s break down this process a little more and talk about why breathing is so important when it comes to oil paintings. Then, we’ll look at different ways you can preserve your oil painting so that it stays presentable for years to come. So, Do Oil Paintings Need To Breathe? Yes, it does.
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Why Is It So Important for Oil Paintings to Breathe?
The importance of letting your oil painting
breathe is vital to preserving the longevity and colors of the painting. But there are different reasons you need to let it breathe, depending on the completion stage. So, let’s break down the reasons breathing is important for oil painting at any stage.
Why Fresh Oil Paintings Need to Breathe
Finishing an oil painting is very exciting, but it is vital to allow the painting to breathe before framing it. The amount of time your painting needs to dry depends on the conditions you keep it in and how many layers of paint you use.
As we discussed above, oil paint dries through the oxidation process. So, for the paint to dry fully, you need to allow oxygen to reach it. This is more difficult if you put your oil painting in a frame or cover it after you finish it. So, letting it breathe will hasten the drying process by providing the oxygen it needs to dry.
Putting your oil painting in a frame too soon can cause the paint to run or prevent it from drying altogether. So, leave the painting out and allow oxygen to reach it for the best possible drying. If done properly, the painting can dry as quickly as eight hours, depending on the amount of paint used. However, some paintings may take about 24 hours to dry.
Why Dry Oil Paintings Need to Breathe
Even after your painting dries, you will need to ensure it can breathe. Putting it in a basic, tight frame can cause condensation, running paint, and dust particles to form on the painting. This is why most people stay away from glass frames for oil paintings, as they can increase the chance of condensation.
Now, this doesn’t mean you can’t frame your oil paintings. It just means you have to be careful when doing so. In fact, it is still common to see oil paintings in glass frames. So, let’s talk about how they do that without risking damage to the painting.
If you want to use glass as a frame for your oil painting, then you will need a spacer. This provides a good amount of space between the painting and the glass frame that allows air to still reach it. This is the best way to ensure you can safely use a glass frame without damaging the oil painting.
Other Ways to Keep an Oil Painting Safe
Now that we have covered the importance of allowing your oil painting to breathe, let’s talk about some other things you can do to keep it safe.
Avoid Closed Spaces
Part of allowing your oil painting to breathe is to avoid storing it in closed spaces. Wherever you decide to store or display your oil painting should have a decent amount of airflow. So, avoid closed-off rooms like closets and other small, tight spaces. These spaces are often dark and without good airflow.
The poor airflow that you can get from these tight spaces can encourage a build-up of moisture behind the painting. This can cause discoloration. It can also create mold if left unchecked and allow insects to nest and fester there as well. So, keeping your oil painting in a room with consistent airflow is vital for the safety and longevity of the piece.
Keep It Cool
Another important reason for keeping your oil painting in a room with decent airflow is to avoid overheating. This can happen if you choose to store or display your oil painting in a room that gets too hot or humid due to a lack of airflow. It is especially common in kitchens and bathrooms without good ventilation.
Too much heat can cause the oil paint to discolor. Unfortunately, this can be difficult to notice before it overtakes the painting and becomes nearly impossible to fix. This is also common for oil paintings left in direct sunlight as well. While it is important for you to keep your oil paintings in well-lit rooms, sunlight can severely discolor the painting.
To prevent this from happening, make sure you store your oil painting out of direct sunlight and away from extreme cold or heat sources. Keep it a good distance from air vents, fireplaces, and other similar places that cause a drastic temperature change throughout the day.
Keep It Dust-Free
Now, we all know that dust will accumulate in our homes no matter what we do. Dust is a constant part of owning a home. So, your oil painting is going to get dust on it. This is just a natural part of keeping something in one place for an extended period. While we can’t help that, you should know that dust can negatively impact your oil painting.
Dust can obviously cause your painting to look less vibrant and colorful, but that’s not the only harm it can do. If left too long, dust can actually stick to the oil paint, causing it to discolor. If this happens, you will need a professional cleaner to attempt to remove the dust and restore the painting to its original color. This can get expensive, and results aren’t guaranteed.
Remember to dust your oil painting regularly to prevent it from getting this bad. If you already have a regular dusting regimen for your home, simply add the oil painting to your list. Doing this weekly should be enough to ensure that too much dust doesn’t collect before you can’t remove it. So, add this to your weekly household chores.
Keep in mind that you should only dust an oil painting with a dry feather duster. Be sure not to use any chemicals on your painting to prevent discoloration. Also, we don’t recommend using anything tougher than a feather duster, as wiping your oil painting too hard can cause scrapes and otherwise damage it.
Final Words
It is important to let your oil painting breathe to maintain its color and design over time. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t frame it, but it does mean you should be careful in choosing the frame. So, remember our tips above for taking care of your oil painting to ensure it lasts for years to come.