How to Care for Your Watercolor Painting
So you own a Daniel Paints Your House original... now what?
When I first started doing custom house portraits, I learned pretty quickly how to create a product that would last: how important it was to use good quality paper, to buy paint brands wouldn’t fade, and how to package the paintings so they didn’t get jostled around too badly in the mail.
But I realized that I wasn’t educating my customers about how to care for their original watercolor painting once it was in their hands. To my great dismay I learned that not everyone rushes out to Michael’s craft store to get their painting immediately framed in UV-protected glass!
So I started including an insert in my packaging with some simple rules of thumb to keep your Daniel Paints Your House original looking great throughout the years - so it can become a true legacy for you and your family.
But if your insert ever gets lost, consider this post your official watercolor care guide. Nothing complicated, I promise — just a few small habits that’ll keep your painting looking as good in twenty years as it does the day it arrives.
Display Tips
Avoid direct sunlight. UV rays are watercolor’s biggest enemy (dramatic, but true). They’ll fade your painting over time if you let them. Find a spot with indirect natural light, or use UV-protective glass if you’re framing it.
Frame it right. Always use a mat — that’s the backing board that keeps the painting from touching the glass directly. It prevents moisture damage and lets the paper breathe.
Control humidity. Aim for a room with stable humidity, somewhere in the 40–60% range. Bathrooms and kitchens are the enemy here — anywhere prone to dampness can warp the paper or, worse, invite mold. (Not the storybook memory you were going for.)
Handling & Cleaning
Handle with clean hands. Oil and dirt from your fingers can leave permanent marks on an unframed piece. Hold it by the edges only — kind of like you would a vinyl record.
Dust gently. A soft, dry brush or cloth is all you need for the frame and glass. Never spray cleaner directly onto the glass. Spray your cloth instead. Moisture seeping behind the glass is exactly what we’re trying to avoid.
Leave restoration to the experts. If something happens and your painting gets damaged or dirty, resist the urge to DIY it. Watercolor paper is delicate, and a well-meaning cleanup attempt can do more harm than the original mishap. Call a professional art conservator instead.
Storage
Not displaying it right now? Store it flat, in an acid-free folder or portfolio, away from heat sources and humidity. A cool, dry spot with a consistent temperature is all it needs to sit patiently until it’s ready for its wall.
In Conclusion
That’s really it. The painting just asks for a little gentleness once it’s framed and hanging. Give it that, and it’ll be part of your home for a very long time.
If you don’t have a painting yet and you’re the type of person who wants to remember a special place — a childhood home, the church you got married in, a vacation spot that still lives rent-free in your head — that’s exactly what I make these for.
Click the button below and fill out the commission request form. I’ll send you the details on how to get started. No commitment, just a little back-and-forth about a place that matters to you.
