Preserve Your Legacy

When you invest in a hand-painted watercolor that tells your story and reflects who you are or who you are becoming, it is natural that you want to care for it so it lasts as long as possible.

These simple tips will take the guesswork out of caring for your original piece and preserve your legacy for future generations.

When it's all said and done, there are 3 things to consider when caring for your original: UV light, matting, UV light, and moisture.

UV Light

Watercolor pigments are sensitive to light. Over time, UV light, such as from a sunny window or UV lamps, will fade the colors in your painting.

One way to protect your art from damaging UV rays is to display it away from direct sunlight.

Pick a display location where you know the sunlight will not reach.

With the change of seasons, you may discover that your painting gets sunlight part of the year. You will then need to decide if you

• will move the piece,

• take the risk of UV damage over time, or

• invest in UV-filtering glass

Yes, you can invest in UV-filtering glass or UV-resistant acrylic glazing when you frame your painting.

When reading the description or features of the frame you intend to purchase, you will see if it mentions UV protection. If you already have a frame and only need the protective glass, it can be purchased in many places online, as well as local framing stores.

For easier viewing, you may even consider non-reflective, conservation, or museum glass, too!

Matting

If your mat is not acid-free, you run the risk of discoloration and the paper fibers weakening.

When considering matting to display your painting in, choose acid-free matting.

These days, most mats ARE acid-free. However, I understand you want to double-check to protect your art.

• if you are purchasing a mat, check the packaging.

If you are using one you already own, you can use a couple of clues to determine if the mat is acid-free or not:

• avoid slick and shiny mats, as they usually are not acid-free.

• check the mat itself for signs of acid damage (yellowing or browning), which would be a sign it is not acid-free

Moisture

Moisture in the air can weaken the paper or cause the paints to rehydrate and drip. To preserve your painting as long as possible, display it away from high-moisture areas like kitchens, saunas, bathrooms, etc.

If you’re determined to hang your original in a high-moisture area, you are choosing to take a huge risk. I do not recommend it.

If that’s your choice, I would advise:

• a frame that is well-sealed to keep moisture out

• keep it away from direct steam (over the stove, next to the shower)

• display it in that area for a season, then trade it out so it isn’t constantly attacked by steam

• consider airflow, ventilation, and dehumidification

• or, my favorite option, buy a print instead (it will also get damaged, but it’s so much easier to replace!)

None of these will fully protect your painting from moisture damage but may slow the damage down. Once the damage is done, I know of no way to fix the piece.

Legacy

If you keep your original painting away from direct sunlight, steam, and acids in some mats, you are well on your way to preserving your watercolor painting for hundreds of years. All that's left is telling the story of the piece to your loved ones. Don't let it be some mysterious painting on the wall, communicate why it is valuable to you, and what it represents, so the legacy can carry on.

If you have any other questions about caring for your watercolor painting, whether you purchased it from me or someone else, please reach out! I'm happy to help where I can. Email me at nicole@nicolehansonart.com.