Storing Original Watercolour Artworks

jesswinter · Joined: 08 Aug 2010 Posts: 2 Location: Sydney

Hi,

I've just started watercolour painting and I need a few tips. Have had a look around the forum but couldn't find exactly what I wanted. Here goes...

How do I store my original watercolour paintings?

I have heard a few different ways of storage including, matting and framing the artwork, storing in portfolio's storage units, etc... There seems to be limited information on the subject and a lot of "rules" on storing watercolour art. Im a bit confused!

I want to keep the painting flat and safe from the elements and getting dirty, but I also want to be able to transport the original easily, scan image as required, etc...

So how do you store your watercolour artworks? When should you matt/use portfolio and why? What are the benefits and negatives of each and at what stage do I use them

And if you know of any links for matting, I'd appreciate that too please!

Thanking you in advance!!!

gggraph

Hi Jess - my paintings are either framed or stored flat in a plans press (which is where I also store paper etc.)

Once the work is fully dry, there should be no harm in storing it in large plastic folios either - I have a number of airbrush pieces that have been stored like that for 30 years without any problems. It may be worth placing sheets of tissue between them as dividers.

You can by a matte cutter and matte board from most art materials suppliers - they should be able to explain how they work, too. Be advised that they are not the easiest things in the world, and take a bit of arm strength to use.

Cheers

Grant