storing finished paintings?

[bigskycountry]

Hi, I don’t post often, but look a lot and really appreciate all the tips and ideas here. How do you store finished paintings you don’t want to or aren’t ready to mat, finish with wax or varnish, or frame? Do you stack them one on top of the other on a shelf, in a drawer, etc? Put them in individual art bags? Stack sandwiched with drawing paper, or other material? file vertically? or something else entirely? Are there things to avoid doing with them if you don’t want them to end up in a discard heap? –Lee

[Yorky Administrator Ormskirk]

I’m afraid I just stack them in a drawer. I rarely frame them these days. We have run out of wall space.

Doug

Some of my paintings over the years
We must leave our mark on this world

[Anonymous]

whenever I can give and lighten my drawing cardboard I !!

[virgil carter]

You’ve raised a good question. In my case, I have a set of metal architect’s plan files, with 10 drawers, 30″ X 40″ X 3″ deep, or so where I place all my unframed finished paintings. Frames (with or without paintings) are stacked vertically on edge, on a carpeted floor, by size. I reuse a lot of my frames for shows and competitions, so they need to be accessible according to need.

As long as you have a dry, light free and dust free place for your paintings, you may place them horizontally, on top of one another. Just be sure that when you handle them you do so by the edges. Many museums store their watercolor collections flat on shelves or in plan file drawers.

Putting individual watercolor paintings in plastic sleeves add additional protection, but I don’t find it worth the time, effort and cost, with hundreds of paintings of various sizes. I find the same is true for using acid-free paper between each painting–so I don’t use this technique. I’m sure, for long term storage, it’s a good idea.

Don’t store watercolor paintings vertically (as is done with oils, pastels, acrylics, etc.) unless you have a way to prevent them from bending. I do store my unused watercolor paper vertically, but I keep the sheets in their large plastic bag enclosures and in the heavy cardboard box used to mail them to me. I’ve never had a problem with bent sheets.

I’ll be interested to see the other responses.

Sling paint,
Virgil

Sling paint,
Virgil Carter
http://www.virgilcarterfineart.com/

[janinco]

I have used acid-free tissue paper to avoid abrasion when storing horizontally:
http://www.amazon.com/LINECO-Unbuffered-Acid-Free-Tissue-Paper/dp/B000KNPLLU

Jan

TwoStone Studio

[Susaleena]

I rarely frame them unless I’m proud of select works. I store them in an Itoya Re-fillable multi-ring Binder[/URL]

Susaleena.com [/b] | Facebook Page | Instagram | [/b] My WC Art Journal [/b]

[Dougwas]

I just stack mine in a drawer and make sure I don’t manhandle them. I figure they are protected from sunlight and water, and that is good enough for me.

Doug

[Claude J Greengrass]

Ikea sells large plastic boxes with lids. I have several including one that will take a full sheet[/URL] 22×30 inches.

It is only on a basis of knowledge that we can become free to compose naturally. -- Bernard Dunstan
blog.jlk.net

[Nalatu]

Make sure what you’re storing them in is airtight. Silverfish are evil.

Also, some kind of desiccant packs or powder would be a good idea to prevent mold.

[painterbear Moderator Oakwood, Ohio]

Like Claude, I bought a large plastic box that will hold up to a half sheet size of paper. I can store it under a bed or in the closet on the floor. It holds all the paintings I have kept very nicely and dry and out of the light.

I haven’t had any problems with mold or silverfish, so it must be airtight with the light closed.

I also don’t wrap the individual paintings in anything, they just keep each other company.

Sylvia

[Glade]

I have a set of plan-drawers in my “studio-office” I keep my supplies, current projects and design studies in them. I have boxes for finished work or pieces from work shops that have notes and things. I live in a very dry climate, so the box thing works fine. I seldom paint watercolor larger than 1/4 sheet, so again the box thing works well. I also use a 3-ring binder with sheet protectors for selected pictures that demonstrate different subjects, techniques and most of all, my progress from when I started painting.

Glade

"Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom." - Albert Einstein

[bigskycountry]

Thanks everyone. Glad to know it doesn’t have to be an elaborate or expensive solution. –Lee

[Auj]

I put mine in a large, clear plastic “presentation portfolio” case with handle that I found in perfect condition in the trash at work. They must cost a pretty penny. I couldn’t believe anyone would throw it away.
It’s one of those finds that make you smile.

[painterbear Moderator Oakwood, Ohio]

Good info in this thread. I’ve added a link to it in The Watercolor Handbook in the section called
Hanging Paintings; Making Prints & Photographs; Selling Your Works

Sylvia

[Mimi Richman]

Consider using acid-free materials in the whole painting process. This means the paper, the masking tape, and the portfolio materials are all acid-free. This is important because acid results in the yellowing of the painting. Because of this, your artwork will start to wear out sooner rather than later, especially when exposed to light and heat.

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