Home & Garden Magazine Subscriptions under $10.00 per year
Tips On Buying and Caring for Watercolors
By Rochelle Caviness
Of the three painting mediums, watercolors, oils and acrylics - watercolors are by far the cheapest type of painting you can buy. Being cheap does not, however, diminish from its artistic worth. One of the reasons that watercolors are cheaper is that the basic materials cost the artist less, and in many regards watercolors are much easier to work with than are oils or acrylics.
Buying a Watercolor
When purchasing a watercolor painting, it is usual to find that the watercolors, especially older ones, have already suffered from some minor fading of the color. Unless this fading distracts from the painting, it is seldom a problem.
- Because watercolors tend to be inexpensive, you do not normally run into problems with sales associates offering false information as to the quality and long term value of a watercolor painting. Nonetheless, the axiom 'buyer beware' should always be foremost in your mind.
- When making your purchases, it is helpful to bring color samples and swatches for the room in which the painting is to be hung. This will help you to purchase a watercolor that will compliment your décor.
- Watercolors are a versatile medium, and paintings can be done on a variety of surfaces. Most fine art watercolors are rendered on paper.
Decorating with Watercolors
Watercolors tend to have delicate colors. This is one of the main drawbacks of decorating with watercolors. As a single subject, a watercolor seldom has the strength of color to act as the main focal point of a room. They do, however, make excellent accent pieces. In addition they readily complimentary other, stronger points of interest.
- One method of strengthening the frail colors inherent in watercolors is to hang a series of watercolors together in one concentrated area. Such a large grouping will help draw the eye to the watercolors and help accent their unique nature.
Protecting Your Watercolor From Light
By their very nature, watercolors have a tendency to fade easily. In order to help protect the pigments in the painting it is essential that your watercolor be hung under glass and that it should never to subject to direct sunlight or harsh light from any source. The only exception to this rule is when the glass used to cover the watercolor has been treated with an ultraviolet protectant, similar to the UV protection coating applied to sunglasses. UV coated glass will not only cut down on glare when viewing the watercolor, but it will also minimize the detrimental effects that light can have on a watercolor.
- Exposure to light can also cause chemical changes, such as yellowing, in the paper on which the watercolor was rendered. These chemical changes can also cause the paper to weaken.
Preservation of Watercolor Paper
Most watercolors are rendered on paper. Being painted on paper, rather than canvas, creates special problems when it comes to protecting and preserving a watercolor. Most important, paper can be easily damaged by moisture, bugs, and chemical changes in the paper itself.
- Moisture can rapidly and insidiously destroy the delicate colors of a watercolor painting as well as the watercolor paper. If your painting is hung behind glass, check regularly to ensure that condensation is not building up behind the glass. If you notice any signs of water condensation, the picture will need to be unframed, dried, and than reframed.
- Bugs, even microscopic dust mites, can quickly eat your work of art. While insecticides and other pest reduction methods may be helpful, never spray the painting itself. The solvents in the insecticides can easily dissolve the paint and can cause deterioration of the paper.
- Chemical changes in the paper can occur due to a number of problems, some of which can be very hard to identify. There is not simply one type of paper. Paper can be handmade or machine made, as well, it can be made from a variety of materials such as wood pulp, cotton, and flax. The chemicals used in the production process can also contribute to chemical changes in the paper over time. For example, the presence of acids in the paper can lead to yellowing, and can cause the paper to become brittle and literally fall apart.
- Paper also reacts to environmental contaminates such as smoke and air pollution. Chemical reactions caused by air pollution can lead to the fading of the actual watercolors as well as the disintegration of the paper.
The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only.
Always consult your doctor for medical advice.
|
Copyright © Tundraco & Tundraco.com 2003 - 2007 - All Rights Reserved
