Watercolor paintings need special care to remain vibrant and undamaged. It does not matter whether or not the watercolor is your own artwork or artwork you purchased. You have probably expended time and money into your watercolor painting collection and special attention is needed to protect your investment.
1.Skip to Step 2 if you purchased your watercolor paintings. Put on a pair of PVC or nitrile gloves after you complete your watercolor painting and it is finished drying. Apply a thin coat of beeswax varnish with your gloved fingers or a stiff bristle brush over the entire painted surface to protect the work from environmental hazards, like fading, dust and dirt. Allow to dry for one week or more. Buff the wax layer to a shine by carefully and gently rubbing with a lint-free cloth in a circular motion.
2.Skip to Step 5 if your watercolor paintings are already framed. Place unframed watercolors in acid free, dust protectors, preferably heavy stock so they can’t bend or curl over time.
3.Store your watercolor paintings in their protectors in a horizontal position in an area with a consistent room temperature that is not too humid or too dry. Maintain the storage room temperature between 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 65 degrees Fahrenheit at all times.
4.Place a watercolor you want to frame in an acid-free window matte board that is at least 1 inch wider all around than your painting. Secure the painting to the matte board along the edges with framing tape. Place your matted watercolor painting in an acid-free frame under ultraviolet shielding Plexiglas or glass to protect it from inadvertent rips and tears, sunlight and dust.
5.Hang your framed watercolor painting on an interior wall out of direct sunlight which will cause it to rapidly fade. Hang your watercolor painting in an area with no window exposure for the ideal preservation conditions.
