Caring for Your Original Oil Painting
You’re bringing home an original oil painting, not a print — a one-of-a-kind piece created by hand. With just a little thoughtful care, your painting can stay vibrant and beautiful for decades to come.
Here are a few simple guidelines to help you protect your artwork and enjoy it for many years.
Keep It Out of Harsh Sunlight
Oil paintings thrive in gentle, indirect light. Prolonged exposure to strong, direct sunlight can gradually fade pigments and weaken the surface. To preserve the richness of your colors, avoid placing your artwork on a wall that receives intense sun throughout the day.
Watch the Humidity
Original paintings prefer environments with relatively stable temperature and humidity. Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens often swing between steamy and dry, which can cause the canvas or wooden supports to expand or contract over time.
Normal household conditions with heating and air conditioning are perfectly fine — just keep your artwork out of the most humid or high-moisture areas.
How to Clean and Dust an Oil Painting
Oil paintings should be handled gently. To remove dust:
- Use a soft, dry feather duster or clean microfiber cloth
- Gently sweep across the surface — do not rub
- Never use water, sprays, or cleaning products
- Avoid touching the paint with your hands, which can transfer natural oils
- Keep objects from poking the canvas, which can leave dents
A light dusting every now and then is all it needs.
Why Oil Paintings Should Never Be Placed Behind Glass
Oil paintings need air circulation as they cure, even long after the surface feels dry. Trapping them behind glass can create a sealed environment where moisture and condensation build up, leading to clouding, mold, or damage to the paint layers. The natural texture of an oil painting—its brushstrokes, depth, and surface variations—is also meant to be experienced without a reflective barrier.