Storing art in progress safely is essential to protect your hard work from damage, dust, and environmental factors. The best approach depends on the medium and size of your piece.
Key Storage Methods
Based on best practices for storing artwork safely, here are the primary ways to store art that is currently in progress:
- Upright on its frame: For canvas paintings or framed pieces, standing them upright is a safe and stable method.
- Rolled up inside a tube: If the art is not on canvas (like paper or loose fabric), rolling it carefully inside a protective tube is ideal.
- Canvas storage racks: For managing multiple works in progress, a dedicated rack provides an organized and space-saving solution.
Detailed Storage Solutions
Choosing the right storage method helps preserve the quality of your unfinished piece.
Storing Canvas Art in Progress
Canvas art, especially paintings, should be handled with care.
- Stand Upright: The safest way to store canvas art in progress is to keep it upright on its frame. Avoid leaning one canvas against another face-to-face, as this can cause scratches or paint transfer. If you must stack, place a protective barrier (like archival foam board or glassine paper) between the surfaces.
- Use Canvas Storage Racks: If you have several canvases in progress, invest in a canvas storage rack. This keeps each piece separate, preventing accidental damage and saving floor space. Racks allow for easy access and good air circulation.
Storing Paper or Loose Art in Progress
Art on paper, drawings, prints, or other non-canvas materials requires a different approach.
- Roll in a Tube: If the piece can be safely rolled without creasing or damaging the medium, roll it up inside a tube if it's not on canvas. Use an acid-free, sturdy tube. Roll the art with the image facing outwards to minimize cracking of the medium.
- Flat Storage: For delicate pieces or those that cannot be rolled (like pastels or charcoal drawings), flat storage is best.
- Use acid-free portfolios or flat file cabinets.
- Place a sheet of archival paper (like glassine or acid-free tissue) over the surface to protect it.
- Avoid stacking too many pieces on top of each other.
General Tips for Storing Art in Progress
Regardless of the method, consider these factors:
- Location: Store art in a stable environment away from direct sunlight, extreme temperature fluctuations, and humidity. Basements and attics are often poor choices due to temperature swings and moisture.
- Protection: Cover your art to protect it from dust and debris. A sheet of cloth or a simple plastic sheet can work for pieces stored upright or on racks. For flat storage, portfolios offer built-in protection.
- Accessibility: Store your art in a way that allows you to easily retrieve and resume working on it without disturbing or damaging other pieces.
- Labeling: If you have multiple works in progress, labeling helps you quickly identify pieces without having to handle them excessively.
By utilizing methods like keeping canvas upright or using storage racks, and rolling non-canvas pieces in tubes, you can ensure your art in progress remains safe until you're ready to finish it.
