As a proud art owner, you have the unique privilege and responsibility of preserving the beauty and integrity of your investment.

Whether you’ve invested in one of the beautiful pieces of South African art for sale out there or if you happen to have acquired a piece from another corner of the globe, proper care is the only thing that you can do to ensure that the art piece remains in a great condition.

To help you preserve your art, we have a list of general and specific tips that you can use.

Caring for South African Art

South African art is renowned for its vibrant colours and rich cultural influences. To preserve the essence of these masterpieces you need to, periodically inspect your South African art for any signs of damage or discolouration (early detection allows for prompt intervention), and consult with a professional conservator to implement specialised techniques that cater to the unique characteristics of the art.

General Art Care Tips

Handle with Care: Always handle your art with clean, dry hands. Touching the surface of the artwork can transfer oils and dirt, which will lead to deterioration over time.

Placement Matters: Keep your art away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and humidity. Exposure to these elements can cause fading, warping, or discolouration.

Framing is Key: Choose a high-quality frame to protect your artwork from dust, pests, and physical damage. Ensure that the frame and matting materials are acid-free to prevent deterioration.

Clean Regularly: Dust your artwork gently using a soft brush or a microfiber cloth. Avoid using cleaning products or water directly on the art surface.

Climate Control: Maintain a stable environment for your art. Extreme temperature fluctuations and high humidity can cause irreversible damage.

Artist Pen Drawings for sale

Now that the general care tips are out of the way, let’s get into specific tips for the care of different art mediums.

Caring for Colour Pencil Art

Colour pencil art is delicate and requires special attention to maintain its brilliance. Here are some ways that you can care for your beautiful pencil art.

  • Consider using a fixative spray to set the colour and prevent smudging. Apply it in thin layers, allowing sufficient drying time between coats. Or better yet, if you have not yet bough the art, ask if the artist won’t layer the piece with a fixative.
  • Excessive layering can lead to a waxy build-up. Keep layering to a minimum and consider using a fixative between layers.

Caring for Graphite Art

Graphite art is known for its subtle elegance, and it demands a different approach when it comes to caring for it.

  • Opt for acid-free matting and framing to protect graphite art from environmental elements.

Caring for Pen Art

Pen art, characterised by intricate lines, requires meticulous care to preserve its fine details. Here are a couple of things to do.

  • Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause the ink to fade. Choose a spot away from direct sunlight to display your pen art.
  • When framing, ensure that the glass or acrylic covering is placed at a distance from the artwork to prevent ink transfer.

Caring for Pastel Art

Pastel art is known for its soft, velvety texture, making it susceptible to smudging. To keep the art in a pristine condition, you can keep these tips in mind:

  • Use a pastel fixative spray to set the delicate pastel particles in place. If you are doing it yourself, be sure to apply it in a well-ventilated area.
  • Pastel art is especially sensitive to touch. Handle with extreme care to avoid smudging or dislodging pastel particles.

Whether you’ve acquired exquisite South African art for sale or a masterpiece from another corner of the world, your commitment to proper care ensures that the beauty endures for generations to come.

 

error: Content is protected !!