How to transport a wet oil painting without damaging it?

Question

I work on my oil paintings at home, but have to take them to school for my instructor, does anyone know how to transport them without smudging the paint or getting dust on it while its wet? Are there any products out there for this or any homemade ideas you have?

ALso, since it takes a long time for them to dry, how do you store them while drying to keep them safe from dust? Is there any other option besides a flat file cabinet? (Because I paint way too many to fit them all in a flat file.)

I've already asked my instructor and he didn't know either. I suppose he doesnt ever have to transport wet paintings.

Answer 1

best to add strips of wood to the perimeter of the canvas that are wider than the depth of your streched canvass. you can then stretch plastic, or even an old sheet, staple it to the wood and it will protect the surface of the painting. if the painting is very big, you would want to criss-cross some ribbon to make sure the plastic/sheet dont droop down onto the surface.

example: your painting is 14" wide x 28" high x 1 1/2" deep. cut something like doorskin in strips that are 3" wide. cut these strips into two pieces at 14" and two at 28". you can staple of screw the strips to the outside perimeter of the canvass. it will be like a shallow box without a lid. the plastic/sheet/whatever will be the protective "lid."

hope that helps.

Answer 2

Need2Know: If the painting is complete, you'll just have to wait. Oils cure by oxidation. If you're still working on it, you can add "quick dry" mediums that you can buy in any artists supply store.
Regarding transport, if your instructor knows they're wet, and is unwilling to look at photographs until they're more suitable for transport, I personally would build an open frame (a see through box, if you will), with the painting at one side, face up, of course. Regarding dust, you can staple clear plastic to the outer frame of this box. I would only do that for transport though, because if you contain the painting during storage, it will only postpone the drying time.

Answer 3

Good question, wish I could help b/c I have hurt a couple paintings during transportation as well.
I am guessing that there is a good kit/box out there for that. But a makeshift one would probably do.

Answer 4

those are all reasonable answers for transporting. But if any debris gets on them wait for the painting to dry and then pick it off. That is an landscapers trick.

Answer 5

I would not recommend that. There are ways to protect a painting that are non-destructive. A layer of release paper and some bubble wrap and a layer of door skin should do the job.

Answer 6

I'm not a painter, but how about a pizza or wedding cake box.

Answer 7

paint at your school

Answer 8

Ask your instructor about this. Who would be better to advise you?