How to Take Care of your Oil Portrait
When it comes to caring for your oil painting investment, there are many choices to make. Older oil paintings (the kind you see in museum collections or antique auctions) typically have a varnish finish which itself may have darkened over time. There are ways to clean the varnish and thus brighten the appearance of the painting, but many owners of more recently created oil paintings do not choose to apply varnish due to the potential for it to crack or become sticky or yellowed. In these situations, the professional care of a conservator is advised.
When deciding whether to varnish your new oil portrait, consider that the purpose of varnish is to protect. Consider also that oil paintings must dry adequately before applying the varnish seal, which may take anywhere from 6-12 months. However, it is possible to apply a preliminary varnish layer as soon as it is dry to the touch, which is also when the painting is dry enough for shipment.
In my opinion, however, if you are able to provide a good environment for the oil portrait and dust it carefully as needed, applying varnish may be an unnecessary precaution, since it has the potential to produce complications in the future. For example, you would still need to clean the varnish, and the colors and textures of your painting may be compromised by the elements that the varnish absorbs. A good environment is not going to include much dustiness, smoke, pet hair, or changes in relative humidity. Oil paintings should not be exposed to direct light or heat. Finally, a good environment is one in which each person who comes into contact with the painting is thinking about how to avoid bumping or dropping or tearing it.
When it comes time to remove dust or dirt from the painting, first inspect the oil surface closely. (If there is any cracking or flaking, consult a professional.) Remember, oil and water do not mix, so as a general rule of thumb, do not apply any solvent or solution without recognizing that you are risking damage to your investment. Use a clean and dry brush with very soft bristles, such as a baby’s hairbrush or a shaving cream brush. If it is perfectly clean and dry, a brush attachment on a very low power vacuum is a good option for removing surface dust, especially from a painting with variable texture or thick areas of paint. Avoid using cleaning tools that may catch on the paint surface, such as a feather duster. And above all, consider all the wise preventive measures for protecting the portrait in its environment, and it will be beautiful for ages to come.
