Art Tip 110:

Oil Paintings and Damp Cloths

The surest way to ruin your oil painting is to wash its surface with a damp cloth. Did you know that most pre-1940 oil paintings have a topcoat of varnish? Well they do, and this makes the argument (of not using a damp cloth) all the more valid. Why?

Moisture on an oil artwork may cause blanching where waters seeps under the surface of the oil artwork and forms a white film on its surface. And nobody wants that, especially on an heirloom oil artwork.
 

Written by: Mika Valenciano

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