Caring for Your Original Oil Painting: Cleaning, Framing, and Display Tips

You've invested in an original oil painting — a hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind work of art. With the right care, it will remain vibrant and beautiful for generations. Here's everything you need to know about maintaining, displaying, and protecting your piece.

Understanding Oil Paint

Oil paintings are built up in layers of pigment suspended in linseed or other drying oils. Once cured (a process that can take months to years for thick applications), the paint film is durable but not indestructible. Heat, humidity, UV light, and physical contact are the main threats.

Cleaning Your Painting

The golden rule: less is more. For routine maintenance, use a soft, dry brush (a clean, wide watercolour brush works well) to gently remove surface dust. Always brush lightly from top to bottom.

Never use:

• Water or any liquid cleaner directly on the paint surface
• Household cleaning sprays or solvents
• Rough cloths or paper towels

If your painting has accumulated grime over many years, consult a professional art conservator rather than attempting to clean it yourself. Improper cleaning is the most common cause of irreversible damage to oil paintings.

Ideal Display Conditions

Where you hang your painting matters as much as how you clean it.

• Light: Avoid direct sunlight, which causes fading and can crack the paint film over time. Indirect natural light or warm artificial lighting (LED, not halogen) is ideal. UV-filtering glass in the frame adds extra protection.
• Temperature and humidity: Aim for a stable environment — around 18–22°C and 45–55% relative humidity. Avoid hanging paintings above radiators, fireplaces, or air conditioning vents where temperature fluctuates.
• Walls: Interior walls are preferable to exterior-facing walls, which can be subject to condensation and temperature variation.

Framing Considerations

Most of our originals — including pieces from our Abstract and Flowers collections — arrive ready-framed. If you ever need to reframe, choose an archival-quality frame with acid-free backing materials. For textured palette knife works, ensure the frame is deep enough not to press against the raised paint surface.

Storing a Painting

If you need to store a painting temporarily, keep it upright (never flat), wrapped in acid-free tissue or clean cotton, away from damp and extreme temperatures. Never wrap in plastic, which traps moisture.

Transporting Your Artwork

When moving a painting, wrap it in bubble wrap (bubbles facing outward, away from the paint surface) and place it in a rigid box with padding on all sides. For international shipping, we use specialist art packaging — see our Special collection for pieces that include premium framing and packaging.

When to Call a Conservator

If you notice cracking, flaking, yellowing varnish, or any physical damage, contact a professional art conservator. Early intervention is always less costly than restoration after significant deterioration.

Have questions about a specific piece you've purchased from us? Get in touch — we're always happy to advise.