British Art Care
British Art Care Guide – Expert Advice from Red Rag Gallery
How to care for British art paintings
Collectors at Red Rag Gallery Stow-on-the-Wold in the Cotswolds and Red Rag Gallery Bath frequently ask for guidance on British art care and how to protect their contemporary British paintings at home. This comprehensive guide explains how to care for British paintings, preserve their condition and ensure your artwork remains a valued family treasure for generations.
Proper British art care helps slow natural ageing and protects your investment. By following Red Rag Gallery art care advice, your contemporary British painting will remain vibrant, stable and admired for many years.
Where to hang British paintings – creating the right environment
Humidity and temperature
Modern British paintings contain materials such as canvas, wood, varnish, paint, glue, metal and plaster — all of which react to humidity and temperature. Fluctuations cause expansion and contraction, which can lead to:
- paint cracking
- canvas distortion or splits
- wood warping or splitting
- flaking paint
Public museums use climate-controlled systems, but most homes do not need this level of control. The British climate is generally favourable for art, and modern central heating has reduced the damp and mould problems once common in winter months.
For optimal British art care, aim for:
- Temperature: around 65–75°F (18–24°C)
- Relative humidity: below 70%
- Stability: avoid rapid or extreme changes
Protecting British paintings from sunlight
Sunlight is one of the biggest threats to contemporary British art. Excessive light and UV exposure can cause:
- fading of colours
- darkening of varnish layers
- cracking of paint
- loss of detail over time
For best results when thinking about how to care for British paintings at home:
- Avoid direct sunlight on the painting wherever possible
- Display paintings in shaded or indirectly lit areas
- Aim for light levels around 200 lux
- Use blinds, curtains or UV-filtering glazing if necessary
Controlling light exposure is one of the most important aspects of Red Rag Gallery art care advice.
Protecting British paintings from heat
Excessive heat and poor air circulation can seriously damage British artwork. High or rapidly changing temperatures can cause wood to warp, paper to dry out and adhesives to fail.
To protect your paintings:
- Avoid hanging paintings directly above radiators or fireplaces
- Do not mount picture lights or spotlights directly on frames
- Keep spotlights at least 3–10 feet away, depending on wattage
- Ensure good air circulation around the artwork
Preventing heat build-up is essential for long-term British art care.
Avoiding dust, grime and insects
Dust and grime are not only unsightly — they can also be acidic and damaging to canvas and wood. For effective British art care:
- Keep paintings away from kitchens and areas with oily soot or steam
- Avoid locations near pipes, air ducts or areas prone to leaks
- Keep general room surfaces dust-free to reduce build-up on paintings
Insects that can damage British paintings
Several insects can affect contemporary and traditional British paintings:
- Carpet beetles: Feed on protein-based materials such as canvas. Look for holes or larvae between the canvas and stretcher.
- Powder-post beetles: Create small holes (around 2mm) in wooden frames or stretchers — often the first visible sign of infestation.
- Thunder flies: Common in British countryside homes, they can find their way under glazing and appear unsightly, although they are harmless. These can be removed easily by a professional framer.
Paintings should be routinely taken down and inspected. If you see signs of infestation, place the artwork in a plastic bag, isolate it and consult a professional conservator.
How to handle contemporary British paintings safely
Most damage occurs when paintings are being handled or moved. To follow best practice in how to care for British paintings:
- Before decorating: Always remove paintings from the room.
- Plan ahead: Make sure you have a safe place to put paintings before moving them.
- Store correctly: Stack paintings vertically, the right way up — never flat.
- Protect frames: If stacking glazed works, place them glass to glass and rest them against a clear wall or padded surface.
- Use clean hands or gloves: Ensure your hands are clean and dry, or wear clean cotton gloves.
- Check frames and fittings: Make sure paintings are securely fitted into their frames before lifting.
- Support correctly: Carry paintings with the face towards your body, using both hands — one on the edge, one supporting underneath.
- Get help with heavy works: Large or heavily framed paintings may require two people.
How to clean British paintings
Cleaning should always be gentle and minimal. Incorrect cleaning is a common cause of damage.
- Use a soft cotton cloth or brush to dust the frame.
- Use a soft, clean, dry brush to gently dust the painted surface.
- Never wash a painting with a moist cloth — moisture can cause a white film or surface damage.
- Do not use water, sprays or cleaning fluids on oils or varnished surfaces.
- If using glass cleaner, apply it to the cloth, not directly to the glass, and keep it away from the frame.
- Avoid dusting or touching areas where the paint is flaking or lifting from the canvas.
- Clean the back of the painting by brushing or vacuuming with a low-suction nozzle and brush attachment.
- In dusty environments, ensure there is a dust cover on the back of the frame.
Even professional conservation solvents can cause damage if used incorrectly, so for anything beyond light dusting, seek expert advice.
Should British paintings be glazed?
Collectors at Red Rag Gallery Stow-on-the-Wold and Red Rag Gallery Bath often ask why some contemporary paintings are framed with glass while others are not. Glazing choices are influenced by tradition, protection needs and the artist’s intention.
In some schools of British and Scottish art, it is traditional to glaze even oil paintings. In other cases, glazing is used to protect delicate surfaces or oil paint that is still curing. Increasingly, British artists and collectors choose glazing because it can enhance clarity and overall presentation.
Glazing protects the surface of contemporary British paintings and reduces the infiltration of light, dirt and dust. The two most common glazing materials used to frame Red Rag British paintings are acrylic sheet and glass.
Acrylic sheet is lightweight and shatterproof, which makes it suitable for larger works or where safety is a concern. However, because acrylic carries a static charge, glass is preferred for powdery or friable surfaces such as pastel paintings.
Museum-quality glass and British art care
Museum-quality glass is now becoming far more widely used by British art collectors. Historically, it was seen as a premium, high-cost option, but prices have reduced significantly in recent years. As a result, museum glass is now a popular choice at both Red Rag Gallery Stow-on-the-Wold and Red Rag Gallery Bath for framing contemporary British paintings.
Museum-quality glass offers several key advantages for British art care:
- Exceptional clarity and colour neutrality
- Greatly reduced reflections and glare
- High levels of UV protection to help reduce fading
These benefits make museum glass an excellent option for collectors who want both outstanding presentation and serious long-term protection for their British art investment.
Whether using glass, museum-quality glass or acrylic, Red Rag Gallery always ensures that the glazing does not come into direct contact with the painting surface. Spacers or mats are used inside the frame to keep a safe distance between the artwork and the glazing. A regular annual check is recommended to make sure that no contact has developed over time.
If you plan to hang a painting in a bright or sunlit room, UV-filtering glazing can help reduce fading and damage. Both UV-filtering glass and acrylic sheet are available. However, even with UV-filtering or museum-quality glazing, high light levels and prolonged exposure can still harm paintings, so it is vital to limit the intensity and duration of light exposure.
Final Red Rag Gallery art care advice
Following these British art care guidelines will help protect your contemporary British paintings and ensure they remain in excellent condition. Most collectors enjoy their artwork for many years without serious issues, but taking these simple precautions will safeguard both the beauty and value of your collection.
Whether your paintings were acquired from Red Rag Gallery Stow-on-the-Wold or Red Rag Gallery Bath, your British art is meant to be enjoyed. With the right care and attention, your British paintings will continue to give pleasure and remain a cherished part of your home — and your family’s story — for generations to come.
