AFTERCARE

Once completed, each painting will take around 6-8 weeks to dry sufficiently for framing.

FRAMING

My brother makes all of my frames in our workshop - so that the canvas can be framed and packed as soon as it's dry enough to do so... and without it having to leave my studio.




PACKING

Once your painting has been framed... we will then build a bespoke travel MDF case - in order to protect it from the sometimes arduous shipping journey ahead.



The case prevents anything coming into contact with the delicate impasto textures - by suspending the painting on supporting blocks around the frame. It also provides a puncture-proof coating for the canvas.



The case is then wrapped in bubble wrap and cardboard - for added protection.

Click here for more information on shipping...


HANGING YOUR PAINTING

You can hang your painting as soon as it arrives.

Rather than use string or cord, which needs constant adjustment and can stress the frame... I prefer to hang paintings on two (level) screws 30-40cm apart - and 1.4cm out from the wall.

DUST

I do my very best to keep dust down in the studio and make sure I remove every particle before I pack and ship each piece.

I also varnish the inside of the case to seal the MDF that lies over the front of the painting - which should prevent any rogue debris from coming into contact with the paint.

However, on the odd occasion flecks of dust will attach themselves to your painting.



If this does happen you can remove them by licking a fine detail brush (to moisten it) and carefully, using the frame as an arm rest, lift the offending particle off of the painted surface.

Don't be tempted to use tweezers - as these can make dents in the paint.


PROTECTING YOUR PAINTING

When working on a piece, I add purified linseed oil to the initial layer of paint - which slows drying and adds that beautiful sheen to the painting. After this, I apply only neat oil paint with a palette knife.

This amount of oil will eventually harden and protect the paint - so there is no need to apply extra protection in the form of varnish.

However, if you would like to apply a coat of varnish you should wait until the paint is completely dry - which can take 6 months and up.


HEAT SOURCES

It's always best to avoid hanging your painting in direct sunlight and over a heat source.

Placing your painting over a fire or radiator, can dry the painting and canvas frame out too much - which results in the canvas becoming slack.


STRETCHING THE CANVAS

If the canvas has become slack - you can stretch it using the following procedure.

Always remove the canvas from the frame in an upright position - never lay the painting face down!

Unscrew the painting from the frame... holding onto the back support bars - so that the canvas doesn't fall out.



You can then tighten the canvas by using an 'Allen key' (clockwise) to increase the gaps in between the wood slats - keeping the canvas on its side and working equally around the canvas.



If your canvas has wedges... tap firmly with a small hammer to push each wedge in further - again working equally around the canvas to avoid warping the canvas frame.

Try not to tighten too quickly... it's always best to use small adjustments over the entire canvas - and wait to see the effect.

It may also help to moisten the wood frame with a damp cloth or brush - as the canvas frame may have dried out and shrank a little.

You can reposition the canvas in the frame - using 1cm 'blocks' around the edges...

Then lift the frame onto its side... and holding onto the centre support bars of the canvas - screw the painting back into the frame (using the screws provided).

If you change the screws - do not use screws longer than 25mm - as this will puncture the canvas.

If in doubt... it may be best to take the painting to your local framer - who should be able to tighten the canvas for you.


ADVICE

I hope this helps you understand your painting a little more... and allows you to keep your painting looking good for many years.

If you are ever in doubt... please drop me a line - and I will do my best to guide you.


TRACKING

If you have purchased a painting and awaiting delivery...
please go to my tracking page for my progress information.