Congratulations and thank you for purchasing one of my watercolor paintings.  I’d like them to last as long as possible for you, so here are some tips for their care.

Always keep your painting in a frame.  Frame with a mat or separator to keep the painting off the glass. Paintings should never touch the glass surface directly - they may become stuck to it.

Use museum grade UV-protected glazing and keep your painting away from bright windows to minimize fading. I use only artist grade paints with pigments that are rated highly for lightfastness, so fading risk is already low, but I still recommend using high quality glass to protect your painting for years to come.

I hope that you use my paintings for the signatures you get at conventions!  If you do, use only archival pens, like Micron or other pens sold for drawing.  Avoid Sharpies or any "permanent" markers — they bleed, fade, and damage the paper over time.

Though all my paintings use only 100% cotton rag watercolor paper, which is more archival than wood pulp paper, changing humidity can damage watercolor paintings.  Keeping them in a frame helps moderate humidity changes, but don’t store them in attics, basements or garages where the humidity changes rapidly and often.  Keep them inside with you - all the better to see them anyway!  Avoid hanging watercolors over a fireplace, in bathrooms or in kitchens - all three areas have humidity and temperatures that could spell trouble.

If you purchased a framed original from me, I’ve used only archival matboard, framing tape and backing boards.  If you purchased a remarque, or want to change the framing of your original, please make sure you use high quality materials.

Another word on remarques.  These more-affordable paintings are just as archival as my originals.  The printing of the base drawing is done with archival inks comparable to archival drawing pens, and they are printed on 140lb 100% cotton cold-pressed watercolor paper - the same quality as the original paintings.

I hope this information helps, and that you enjoy your painting for years to come.

🖖