Specifically, I have a crateful of oil paintings and piles of pencil sketches and drawings. I keep the crate open and the paintings are exposed to some sunlight every day. The illustrations are filed away into shelves in shadow but as the years pass I worry about the aging of both the paper and the various leads.
2006-08-26 07:23:33 · 3 answers · asked by Eartha 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Painting
Your local art supplies store will sell you an inexpensive paper called Glassine which is like a stiff tracing paper - it's archival (acid-free) and will protect your drawings when they rub together, also as a barrier if some of the materials are not pH-neutral. If you used coloured media in the drawings, they shouldn't fade if not exposed to sunlight, unless the pigments are so inferior that they degenerate naturally (in which case nothing will stop that process).
If you used papers which are not acid-free, they will naturally disintegrate over time, but if they're protected as above will last your lifetime if not longer. Yes, you can buy a spray called "Make It Acid-Free" from Krylon... it's powdered limestone. Mighty expensive, but if the drawings are that valuable you might investigate it.
The oil paintings should be fine, they should not be stored in an airtight container. However, after a prolonged period the top edges of the paintings may fade more than the bottom where no light reaches it. Perhaps just throw a cloth over it - just don't wrap them in plastic.
And be wary of "fixative" sprays please - especially on the drawings which are being stored flat. Off-gassing may do more damage than good.
2006-08-26 14:32:40 · answer #1 · answered by joyfulpaints 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Paintings should be stored in a cool dry place. If you don't have the paintings displayed, put them in a closet or under your bed or something so the sun doesn't get to them. Also, be wary of the fixative sprays. Just a light coat over the pencil will do the trick, but always test the paper before you put the spray on your work. I always place the same kind of paper I used for the drawing in between drawings so that it won't rub off onto the back of a drawing. Keep pencil/ graphite sketches out of the sun. If you have something you really love, its always wise to take it to good 'ol Kinko's and have a poster copy made just in case something happened. Good Luck!
2006-08-26 17:25:41 · answer #2 · answered by Gal on a Jet Plane 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure what it is called but there is a spray that you can spray on your art that will protect it from rub damage, sun damage and dust damage. If you go to your art supply store they can tell you what it is. Also behind uv protective glass in a frame is best
2006-08-26 07:37:54 · answer #3 · answered by sexyheater 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋