Proper water paint preservation involves protecting both the wet paint and the dried artwork. For wet paint, maintaining its workable consistency is key. For dried artwork, preventing damage and ensuring longevity is paramount.
Preserving Wet Watercolors
While there isn't a specific method to "preserve" wet watercolors in the sense of long-term storage, maintaining their usability is important. Keep your paints from drying out by:
- Using a damp palette: A damp sponge or paper towel under your paint will prevent rapid drying.
- Covering the palette: Use a damp cloth or plastic wrap to seal in moisture when not actively painting.
- Proper storage: Store your opened paint tubes upright to prevent drying and cracking.
Preserving Dried Watercolors
The long-term preservation of dried watercolor paintings is crucial. Follow these steps:
- Varnish application: Applying a protective varnish coat seals the artwork, shielding it from dust, UV damage, and environmental factors. [Learn more about varnish types and application](Insert relevant link here if available).
- Framing and Storage: Framing your artwork protects it from physical damage. Store framed paintings in a cool, dark, and dry environment to prevent fading and deterioration. Avoid direct sunlight and extreme temperature fluctuations.
- Acid-Free Storage: For unframed paintings, use acid-free materials like glassine envelopes to separate works stacked together. This prevents sticking and potential damage. This is especially important if you are storing multiple paintings.
The best way to protect your watercolor painting is to apply a varnish coating or frame your work and store it in a dark, dry, and cool storage place. If you have unframed paintings, use acid-free sheets such as glassine envelopes between your paintings by placing them on top of one another.
