How do I frame my Oil Painting?
Oil paintings must be framed by a professional framer, they will have the expertise and knowledge of how to frame the painting properly and with care.
Do I need to use glass?
Many people ask me whether they need to frame their oil painting under glass. The answer is no.
I have an open fire, is it safe to hang my portrait in the same room?
If you have an open fire it would be advisable to hang your portrait in a differnt location. If this isnt possible there are a few solutions. You could keep the painting in a clean location for 5-6 months and then have it professionaly varnished. Once the painting is varnished this enables it to be "cleaned" at a later date even after hanging in smoky conditions. "Cleaning" involves the removal of the old varnish (now dirty and discoloured) and replacement with new - preferably by a qualified conservator - thus leaving the original paint intact.
The second solution is to frame your oil painting under glass – either plain or non reflective, but this should be done by a professional framer.The framer will need to leave spacers and not seal the painting so the oils can breath and dry naturally.
