Room Temperature For Oil Paintings

The average winter temperature here ranges from 18 to 33 f 8 to 1 c though i m sure it doesn t get that cold upstairs.

Room temperature for oil paintings.

If you do be sure to size your canvas first before you paint. Will the cold or temperature fluctuations damage the paints or paintings. Painting in cold weather using alkyd or oil paints requires even more time in some instances more than 48 hours before recoating. By way of example temperatures above 45 degrees fahrenheit are recommended when using oil based paints.

Avoid high temperatures and humidity extreme changes in humidity and temperature can make the canvas and wood stretchers supporting the painting expand or contract. Moisture can destroy and warp a painting and its frame so it s important that you store paintings carefully. Some sources say even 50f 10c is too risky. Oil based paint between 45 90 degrees.

I paint on wood braced panels i make myself. However latex and acrylic paints work much better in temperatures that exceed 50 degrees fahrenheit. The type of paint is also important when it comes to temperature and humidity. The reason for this is the oil paint will eventually rot your canvas.

Use tissue paper breathable sheets or foam to protect your oil paintings while you store them. This paint contains coalescing agents that bolster paint curing attributes during low temperatures. Size the panel first before applying an alkyd lead oil ground. But when the temperature is about 50 degrees f the recoat time may be extended to six hours.

You must prep your canvas properly. Right now i have a cheap set of acrylics and oils that have been heretofore kept at room temperature for a few years. For example at an ideal temperature of 75 degrees f you can usually recoat after four hours. Storing a painting in the dark will cause the oil painting to become darker over time.

Store your paintings in a dry room wrapped in tissue paper. I don t recommend painting on stretched canvas. The ideal temperature for storing paintings is room temperature between 60f and 80f 16c 26c. If acrylic paintings are stored at really low temperatures 40f 4c or below the paint film will become brittle which could result in damage.