If you’re an art lover, you’ll know that no matter what it cost your art is priceless. It’s the one form that cannot be replicated, duplicated or mass produced. It’s not about how you acquired it, or who painted it, but if it speaks to you, you’ll know it was made with love. The beauty lies in its authenticity and uniqueness – so you cannot just buy another one.

Whether you’ve been collecting art your whole life, are a novice collector or a budding artist, it is most likely that you are working with or own canvas. This material is popular for its durability, but it still needs to be cared for and stored properly.

Whether you are moving, redecorating or simply storing your art, we have some tips to keep both the canvas itself and the creation on it safe.

Handle with Care

The natural oils on your skin can sometimes cause a chemical reaction to the paint. It is recommended to wear cotton gloves when handling art pieces to prevent this and avoid fingerprints, especially on work that hasn’t dried completely yet.  This will also prevent you from scratching the paint.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Exposure to direct sunlight can deteriorate paintings much faster because of the ultraviolet radiation reacting with the paint. Some paints can be more resilient to light exposure, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Avoid complete darkness as well – sunlight will fade the color and darkness can darken the paint. Photographs are most sensitive to light, in fact any work on paper and UV plexiglass can provide longevity but not complete protection.

Moisture Sensitivity

Paintings and other paper formats are highly sensitive to moisture. Avoid water, soap and even gentle cleaning solutions. In fact, it is highly discouraged to touch the paint and we recommend lightly dusting with a soft duster or even better, taking it to a professional restorer if it has been stored for a long time.

Keep Your Display Case/Glass Clean

Dust glass cases regularly to avoid an accumulation of dirt. Due to the fact that art is moisture-sensitive, we don’t suggest using any detergents on the case, especially if the art is old and cannot be removed from the frame.

Store in a Cool, Dark Place

The main concern is temperature fluctuations that can deteriorate or alter the artwork. Ideally, store art in a temperature-controlled unit or a cool, dry and dark place.

Pay Attention to Humidity

Humidity can also cause a chemical reaction with the paint. A hygrometer is usually used to measure the moisture in an enclosed space and should never be more than 55%. Think about ventilation when choosing a storage location.

Keep Your Paintings Separated

If your paintings are unframed and you want to keep them together, make sure you separate each one with acid-free paper and a mat board slighter larger than the pieces. This will prevent chemical reactions, chipping and creasing.

Don’t Roll your Art

Although we often see art tubes, it can cause cracking and creasing. We always recommend storing paintings flat if you’re not going to frame and hang them.

Don’t forget to check up on your stored artwork every now and then to monitor their condition. If you take care to do the above correctly your artwork should out last you!

Oil paintings are one of the greatest and most frequently used art mediums. Oil paint has been used for hundreds of years and the pieces have stood the test of time with durability and steadfast color. Oil paint gives artists ultimate freedom with slow-drying time allowing the artist to rework, correct, and even scrape off areas of paint without the color changing. Oil paint enables one of the most fluid fusions of tones and color with more pigment, making the paintings look like a scene that you can truly just step into. If you’re in the market for a new addition or first purchase, this is what makes these realistic renditions so special both to the artist and the beholder:

1. Time is money. Oil painting takes a lot of effort and patience. Each piece is painted in layers. Only once the first layer dries can the second layer be painted. All these layers contribute to the realism and regal look and feel of the work.
2. The Base. Oil paintings are painted on fine linen canvas which can last for hundreds of years and require very low maintenance.
3. Oil Paints. Oil paints have been used for from centuries. They are usually made up of oil and pigments mixed together to obtain the perfect color and consistency.
4. Technique. Oil painting, as an art style, is subjectively more difficult. It takes a procedure of sketching while drawing the portrait and later the work of technical brush work to paint it and there are few artists who can do it well.
5. High Demand. Oil paintings have been the center of art in history for centuries and are in high demand because of their perfection and realism.
6. Expensive tools. Various types of art brushes are used in the creation of oil paintings and many of them have short life spans (approximately only two paintings) and so they come at a high cost.
7. Realism Achieved. Oil Paintings achieve the most accurate sense of realism among all the color painting styles.
8. Extra Ingredients. Artists sometimes blend oil paint with linseed oil, solvents and walnuts for easy usage and to make the paint thinner. All these ingredients are costlier than any other art products.
9. Brought to life. Oil paintings create personalized, authentic works of art that are one of a kind and truly transformative.
10. Varnishing. Once a painting is completed, the artists varnish it to enrich the colors and make it last longer. Oil paintings do have a longer lifespan and can last for centuries if they are kept with care.

 

When you take the time to stop and admire your oil painting hanging on your wall, you will realize why this art form is in such high demand. The beauty, the realism, the vibrant colors. You will fall in love every time you look at it. And don’t forget to think of the time and effort that was taken to create such a masterpiece!

 

As the pandemic changed our lives and confined us to our homes, it gave us more time to reflect on our bare walls. 2020 forced us to become remote workers and art galleries and auction houses to officially move online, bringing fine art to more doorsteps.

During the last 12 months, people’s connection to art has been reinforced as a means of escapism from an unprecedented time. With more time at home, first-time buyers and collectors have had time to focus on their passions – whether they wanted to grow their collection, start a new one or simply use the time to redecorate their homes.

While first-time buyers previously preferred seeing works in person, both generations are becoming confident in the digital space and buying art more aggressively. The biggest challenge now is to accommodate both seasoned and new buyers and to retain their interest.

In the last 5 years, the original and fine art market has become one of the biggest investment crazes with frequent buyers keeping their eyes peeled to grow their portfolios and new buyers keen to get involved.

 

Here are some reasons why now is the right time to invest in original art…

• Art that was previously inaccessible is now available for viewing and purchasing.
• The digital transformation has given buyers more time to research and has reached a whole new consumer generation. People feel less pressure transacting online and galleries and auction houses have improved ways of interacting with the items for sale.
• You can invest in art without having to purchase or store it.
• Unlike mass-produced art, original paintings take time, thought and talent and there is something quite special about owning one of these unique pieces. Simply admiring art releases endorphins, brings you into the present moment and empowers you to want to understand the complexities of the artist’s thought process and emotions.
• Like any investment, original and fine art can increase in value, but it is a long-term investment. Depending on the painter, art will ideally continue appreciating in value over time as originals never depreciate. In fact, the older the better!
• Art is a relatively safe and notable asset to include in estate planning to pass on to descendants.
• Exquisite art can transport you to a different time and place altogether, a place unexplored by the human mind.
• Art can enrich any environment it is placed in and has a positive effect on the people within that space. Not only can it brighten and add warmth and character, but it can also spark conversation and act as the perfect ice-breaker.
• Lastly, there is a simple joy that seasoned collectors will tell you about. The joy of collecting starts with your first piece – whether it is mounted or locked away for private viewing… once you see your collection grow you will not only feel proud but be determined that you need more. Your collection will speak for itself, with its own voice and story. A small piece of each artist’s life will now live with you.

 

 

Key points to consider before you buy your first piece:

• Speak with curators and auctioneers about the piece, the artist and your budget
• You can either purchase an original artwork or buy shares in high-value artwork with several other people through an online marketplace.
• If you’re buying art for its value, it should only be a small part of your investment portfolio. Non-liquid assets often take longer to sell even if they have a high monetary value.