Frame it so the surface is protected

Paper can bend, crease and pick up marks more easily than a stretched canvas. A frame is a practical way to protect it while it’s hanging in your home.

For an original painting on paper, I would generally choose a frame with glazing, and arrange the mount or spacers so the painted surface isn’t pressed directly against the glass or acrylic glazing.

Use suitable acid-free mounting materials where possible. Avoid ordinary sticky tape directly on the artwork. If you’re unsure about mounting, a framer can help you choose a simple solution.

It doesn’t need to be an elaborate or expensive-looking frame. The goal is to keep the artwork supported and protected while presenting it in a way you enjoy.

Choose a sensible spot

You can hang it in a bright room. Just remember that prolonged direct sunlight can affect art materials over time, and paper doesn’t particularly enjoy damp conditions.

I’d avoid a wall that gets strong direct sun for hours every day, or a spot exposed to steam, condensation or regular splashes.

Normal household lighting is fine. You don’t need a dedicated picture light.

Cleaning is straightforward

Once it’s framed, most routine cleaning should be about the frame and the outside of the glazing, not the painting itself.

Gently dust the frame with a soft cloth. If the glazing needs cleaning, follow the instructions for that material, especially if it’s acrylic rather than glass. Spray cleaner onto a cloth away from the artwork, never directly towards the frame where liquid might seep inside.

Don’t wipe or scrub the painted paper, and don’t use household cleaning products on the artwork.

If dust or a mark gets inside the frame, it’s better to remove the backing carefully or ask a framer for help than to rub at the painting.

Moving or storing it

When moving a framed work, protect the corners and glazing and keep it somewhere dry. Don’t leave it in a hot car or a damp storage space.

If you need to store an unframed painting on paper, keep it flat, supported and protected from rubbing against other surfaces. Avoid rolling a finished acrylic painting unless you’ve had advice specific to that work.

A little common sense is enough

You don’t have to turn your home into a museum to own an original painting on paper.

Frame it sensibly, keep it out of prolonged harsh sun and damp conditions, and clean the frame rather than the artwork. That’s the useful everyday version.

I want my paintings to be enjoyed. Looking after them is simply a way of keeping that enjoyment going.