Question for my artist friends.............

[Candy]

I am framing 2 oil paintings that were done this past summer. One is on a 32x40 artboard, the other is on a canvas board. I know that oil paintings are supposed to dry for at least 6 months. However, these are not textured and have no dense areas. Very flat and one dimensional.

How long do they need to dry before framing. The 32x40 is going to be matted and under glass. The arboard painting has been drying for 4 months right now.

Also, since it is oil on artboard, are there any precautions that I need to know about? Something in my mind keeps coming back about oil coming through the mat?

 

[Nancy W]

How about some barrier tape in the edge of the mat, (has a thin aluminum layer), linco now makes their tape with white backing paper as well as the usual blue. Seems that would save the mat from oil and color migrating into the cotton core of the mat. A heads up to the client that washing the glass every couple of years inside the framing may be necessary as the oils may do odd things to the inside of the glazing. Maybe off-gassing isn't quite the right term, but a heads up might be in order.

It sounds like the artist who did these pieces used their oils thin.Some of the old masters thinned theirs so much they used them like watercolors on paper. It is unusual but not unheard of. I wouldn't think waiting 6 months for a painting with no impasto on a 'thirsty' ground would necessary. I would simply proceed.

 

[preservator]

The curing (hardening through oxidation) of oil paint is a tricky issue. Two topics come up, here, will the oil off gas onto a glazing sheet and can the rabbet edge safely touch the edges of the painting. neither of these can be addressed with complete confidence, but if the painting fogs the glass, the glass can be cleaned. If the rebbet edge of the frame is lined with something like Volara, a non-reactive polyethylene foam that is both smooth and soft, the painting should do well.


Hugh

 

[Candy]

It sounds like the artist who did these pieces used their oils thin.Some of the old masters thinned theirs so much they used them like watercolors on paper. It is unusual but not unheard of. I wouldn't think waiting 6 months for a painting with no impasto on a 'thirsty' ground would necessary. I would simply proceed.

That is exactly what it looks like, watercolor.


Hugh, what about the mat on the oil. Would the Linco Frame Sealing tape be the way to go? Since the oil has been "thinned" and on an art board, will the migration of oil even be an issue. Has the oil penetrated the fibers of the board and no be an issue with the mat going over it?

 

[BILL WARD]

down here in FL the artist have the habit of putting their oils inside their cars, outside in the sun(but propped up as to be out of direct sunlight) to accelerate the dryout---crack 1-2 windows and leave them in for a few days------gets like an oven in there!

 

[blackiris]

All I know is that when I do oil paintings...........the white takes the longest to dry for some reason.........

 

[Dave]

Whenever I frame an oil painting that has not had sufficient time to dry (6-12+months) I use the Volara liner if not too damp and tell the customer to bring the painting back in about a year. I charge them upfront for the varnishing but do not charge for removal of the painting and refitting when brought back. I flag my calendar to call them after 12 months to bring the painting back.

My customers seem to appreciate this service.

 

[Candy]

Dave, That is a great idea!!!

 

[HannaFate]

Don't use a mat, use a liner. Put metal tape on the inside of the liner, where it touches the paint.

No oil problems.

 

[Jim Miller]

Here are a couple of suggestions for framing a stretched canvas with no contact of framing materials with the painted surface.

For the canvas board, in order to prevent oily stains on the visible window mat, use some sort of spacer to separate it from the painted surface. The spacer could be a Coroplast "window mat", a recessed 4-ply mat lined with Volara tape, or some other unseen material that would not stick to the painted surface.

In any case, if the glazing fogs, that's no big deal. Clean the glazing and refit as needed. In our shop we guarantee free fog removal for all paintings we frame with glazing. It's a low-cost security blanket for anyone concerned about fogging from uncured paint. However, that is generally better than having the painting unprotected for months in storage or on display.