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Art Tip 11: Dirty Oil Paintings? Let the Pros Handle It
Are your precious oil paintings beginning to look a bit dirty? You can try and use a lamb's wool duster to gently dust the surface of the painting. However, if your painting has some serious dirt on it then you need the services of a professional cleaner. Don't think much about the cost. After all, a ruined oil painting, especially a family heirloom, will surely be worth it.
Art Tip 12: Colorful Paintings : Put Some Color in Your Room!
Do you think your place is a bit bland? Brighten it up with some colorful paintings! If you have small, dark, or cramped digs, hang some paintings that have vibrant colors to put some life and contrast into your room. It can also serve as a good conversation piece when having friends over.
Art Tip 13: Framing Tips for Watercolor Paintings
When framing watercolor paintings, mount it behind glass. However, ensure that there is some distance between the glass and the actual painting to let air circulate. This would deter the formation of moulds on your watercolor painting. In addition, card window mounts in frames should be acid free. Why? Acid mounts will create brown edges on your watercolor painting.
Art Tip 14: Paintings as Gifts
Giving a painting as a gift is a great idea! It need not be THAT expensive but you do need to consider several factors as a painting falls under the category of 'personal gifts'. For one, keep away from religion-themed paintings if you are not that close to the receiver. You would not want to give a Christian painting to a Buddhist right? Further, be mindful of the size of the painting. It would be a bit embarrassing to give a painting that would not fit anywhere in the receiver's house.
Art Tip 15: Charcoal Drawings: Look But Don't Touch
Charcoal drawings or paintings are of course powdery because of the medium used. Be careful not to touch the drawing because it will easily smudge. Further, your fingerprints can be easily left on the artwork. So when it comes to charcoal artworks... look but don't touch!
Art Tip 16: Wanted: Great Contemporary Artists
Do you want great art at a not-so-great price? Then why not take a chance on contemporary artists? There are many great and talented artists out there whose artworks you may find extremely good. Who knows? When that artist becomes popular, then you have one of his/her 'early works' for which you can get a great price (if you want to sell it). Where do you find these new artists? Visit neighborhood art shops and art exhibitions, go and check out some online galleries, you might even find one in ebay!
Art Tip 17: Framing Contemporary Paintings
What are contemporary paintings? They are modern artworks that are minimalist by nature. As such, it is best to use lacquered wood frames or thin metal frames when framing them. Otherwise, the frame will overshadow the painting instead of magnifying it.
Art Tip 18: Tracking Down Painting Artists
Sometimes you want to take a risk and invest on painting pieces done by a contemporary artist. Still, you would want to know how this artist is progressing right? If you cannot find much news about your artist, dig into auction records.
As the artist is not yet popular, auction records are probably your only source of information as to how the artist is progressing, how many artworks he comes up with annually and (more importantly), how much his paintings are selling for.
Art Tip 19: Don't Buy Paintings on Impulse!
It is not good to buy anything on impulse, let alone an expensive painting! If making a purchase online, look for details about the artist who made it and scrutinize the website you are buying the painting from. If you buy from an art gallery, ask for an exhibit catalog and check the reviews they have about the artist whose paintings are being featured. Further, a painting might indeed look nice BUT do consider where you will place it, i.e., do you have space for it and
will it fit your current house 'theme'?
Art Tip 20: Checking the 'Base' of Paintings
One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a painting (or any artwork) is where the painting is ON. If the artwork is on a canvas, ensure that it has been properly stretched over the wooden frame. If the painting is on paper, then ask if the artwork has been framed using acid free mounts.
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