Have you just finished your first serious paper-based project? Congratulations! That is the first step toward your goal of becoming a professional artist. Now, all that is left is to learn how to take proper care of your works. While paper is a very diverse medium, some rules apply to almost any work of art. We are here to warn you about the most common mistakes all beginner artists make when approaching paper art storage for the first time.
Paper Art Storage: Mistakes Everyone Makes When Starting Out
Storing paper-based works rolled
We do not need to tell you how fragile paper can be. While it is strong enough to hold paint and anything else you might want to put on it, it is still very breakable. One practice that decreases the longevity of artwork but is very widespread among beginners is rolling art for storage.
While rolling your artwork can help save a significant amount of space, it is simply not worth it if you are planning on storing your piece long-term. Your work will take on the shape of a tube you put it in, and it will be difficult to straighten it. In addition, the surfaces of paintings are prone to cracking, so it is better not to bend them for longer than necessary. In other words, rolling works for shipping is fine, but this method is not the best one when it comes to long-term storage.
Storing art that is still wet or unfinished
Always ensure your pieces are fully dry before putting them in storage. If you put your piece away while it is still wet, the paint will transfer to every single surface it comes into contact with. Dust particles are also more likely to stick to a damp painting than a dry one. All those things will ruin the integrity of your artwork. If you use dry materials like pencils or pastels, make sure to use setting spray to prevent them from smudging and getting ruined.
Storing art in attics and basements
Not everyone has enough space in their home for a separate room designated for art storage. However, whatever you do, never store your art in your attic or basement. Those places are incredibly humid, which makes them perfect environments for mold to grow. We recommend that you look into storing your artwork in a climate-controlled storage unit.
Now that you know which mistakes to avoid when dealing with paper art storage, taking care of your collection will hopefully come easily to you. Do not hesitate to reach out to experts if you need help.