Although entire books have been written about any one of these topics, our aim here is simply to share a few tips about the display and care of your new art that we ourselves have found useful.
Upon Receipt
Like any piece of original art, your new artwork should be handled with care. The best practice is to leave it in its protective packaging until it is framed. This will protect it from scratches, spills, fingerprints and dust.
Fine-Art Prints are packaged in archivally safe, resealable Crystal Clear Envelopes. They may be framed, or enjoyed as is in their packaging. The easel stand offered makes a quick and easy display whether framed or not.
Framed Originals are delivered ready to hang with the included hangers. See below for display tips.
Unframed Originals are packaged in the same kind of Crystal Clear Envelopes as above, but without a rigid backing, in order that they may be rolled and shipped more economically. Be very careful when removing it from the tube that you do not bend or crink the artwork in any way (a helper is a good idea). Have a sufficiently large, flat surface cleared and prepared to place it upon. To be safe, it is best to leave it in its crystal clear envelope until it is ready to be assembled into a frame. Your custom framer will appreciate your care!
Framing
All originals and prints should be framed behind either glass or Plexiglas to protect the art from damage by scratching or accumulation of airborne pollutants from cooking, smoking, etc. The Clear Envelope will protect it until it is framed. Glass is our preferred glazing material because it will not scratch during routine cleaning and dusting. Plexiglas can also be suitable, not being prone to breakage in shipping, but it is rather soft and easy to scratch when dusting and cleaning.
The Framed Originals from our Gallery are assembled with archivally-safe, acid-free materials wherever they contact the artwork. This is to give the ultimate protection to the artwork for the enjoyment of generations to come. When framing an Unframed Original, we recommend working with a professional framer, who will probably suggest the same level of protection. That having been said, many lesser cost conventional matting and backing materials may also give many years (if not decades) of satisfactory display. Choose the level of protection that feels best to you.
Hanging Hints
Where to hang your art is a very personal decision. But here are some basic tips to get you started.
Generally, you will want to center your art in whatever visual space it will occupy. This visual space will often be defined by furnishings, architectural elements, or even other artwork or decor.
Hanging height is most pleasing if the center of the art is at the approximate height of the viewer's eye-level. Adjust the height as desired to accommodate furnishings and architectural elements. Having a helper to hold the piece while you 'feel into' what height works best for you is invaluable. Mark the wall with a piece of masking tape at the top of the frame when you feel you have it.
Once you have selected your spot, use the hangers supplied with your Framed Original to hang the print. We supply two hangers, and suggest placing them about 12 inches apart, spaced on either side of your desired center point. Our hanging wire is about two inches from the top of the frame, so locating the hooks two inches below where you marked the top of the frame, and 6 inches on either side of the center is a good start.
Use a carpenter's level, if you have one. After hanging the art by its wire on the hooks, gently pull the bottom-center away from the wall and let it fall back to rest where it will. If the frame is tilted, slide the wire along the hooks to re-center it, and repeat the pull-away and release test. When you have it straight, the two hooks will prevent it from getting tilted from dusting, door-slams and the like.
If the placement of the art doesn't look quite right to you now, take the time to fine-tune it until you are pleased. A few minutes spent now will give years of enjoyment to come.
What we see is light. Proper lighting will reveal the full beauty of your art. Directional accent lighting that adds a bit of light directly to the artwork is best. This will usually be a ceiling mounted directional floodlight or track lighting.
The type of lamp used can make a big difference. As this is written (2010) lighting technology is rapidly changing, usually for reasons of energy savings. But some of the new products are not good choices for the lighting of art. Fluorescent lights are plagued with a discontinuous and spiky spectrum that can distort the natural colors of the art. Current LED lighting products likewise give poor color rendition.
As of now, in the USA, the best lighting for art is incandescent reflector floodlights. Halogen lamps give a brighter, whiter light, and low-voltage fixtures with MR-16 lamps are by far the best of these. That is why you will see them in use at art museums and fine galleries. Low-voltage fixtures, tracks and/or mountings, and low-voltage dimmers are widely available at lighting shops and home improvement centers.
Here at the gallery, we have tested many of the products currently available. We have had very good luck with WAC® brand low-voltage fixtures, and SOLUX® brand MR-16 lamps (3500K 36-degree beam-spread). Comparative A/B viewing tests showed us a clear advantage to the Solux® lamps, which is why some of the world's top art museums have adopted them. That having been said, other less demanding viewers may see little difference from conventional MR-16 floods. If you can't find these products locally, they are available online. These are simply personal preferences based on our experience; we don't get paid to recommend them.
Environmental Factors
Heat, humidity, and intense light are the natural enemies of any artwork. While your new art should give lasting enjoyment for generations to come, it is important to display it in conditions that are not detrimental. Avoid direct sunlight. Display at normal room temperatures, and avoid locations of excessive humidity or high concentrations of chemical fumes. Generally speaking, if it is comfortable for people then it will be fine for your art, too.
Maintenance and Care
Not much to be said here. Dust when needed and use regular glass cleaner and soft cloth on the framed prints and frames, when necessary. The new microfiber dust cloths work great. Do take care not to let any liquid cleaner run down the glass and into the frame. Spraying the cleaner onto the cloth instead of the glass is the safest approach.