How To Care For Your Artwork
All of my original artworks are made using plaster or acrylic gel that is secured to either a canvas or wooden board. The canvas or wooden board normally has one or more preparation layers applied to its surface before the various gel or plaster layers are applied. After the painting has been completed and signed, two final layers of varnish are applied to protect the painting from the accumulation of dust and dirt.
Don't
Do not allow any rigid object to press against the front or back surface of the artworks as this could create permanent indentation damage. When storing or transferring, take care to protect the artworks from becoming dinged or dented. When it becomes necessary to handle or move an artwork, avoid touching the surface or the back of the artwork. Do not apply any kind of pressure (even finger pressure) to the back of an artwork - cracks in the gel or plaster will likely develop after a time if this is done.
It is not advisable to place the artwork above a heat source such as fireplaces. In addition to the damage caused by radiating heat, dirt that rises with the heat may cause damage. It is unadvisable to hang artworks in a moist environment such as a room which has a bath or shower. Rapid environmental fluctuations will be harmful to the painting.
Ultraviolet light should be kept away from the artworks as fugitive dyes and colorants used in paints will eventually discolour under exposure to this type of light. The fading of pigments and dyes will affect the colour balance of the artwork.
Don't Ever
Do not attempt to clean the surface by using solvents or cleaning products of any kind. Cleaning liquids may embed the dirt into the artwork and cause permanent liquid lines over the surface. In fact, it is discouraged to use any liquid, including water, to clean the surface of your artwork. Never use dry or moist dust cloths, stiff bristle brushes or feather dusters to clean an artwork as threads can catch on areas of raised paint and dusters can scratch the artwork. Avoid spraying any fresheners, polish etc. directly onto a painting.
Do
Do use compressed air in a can to blow away surface dust. Another technique involves using a dry soft sable brush to lightly brush the surface in order to dislodge dust while holding a vacuum, off the surface, to capture and remove debris. Use a delicate brush to gently remove surface dirt from your artwork. Be careful not to bump or scratch the painting. If the paint is damaged in any way, avoid dusting altogether.
The best type of light for your painting is indirect sunlight, recessed lighting, and halogen lights (not ultraviolet).