useful information

What is the difference between oil, acrylic and watercolour paintings?

Oil is the most traditional and durable of the media used for painting. It is the slowest drying. Whereas acrylic paint dries simply through the evaporation of water contained in the paint, oil colours contain no volatile ingredients and dry under the influence of oxygen and light. Oil can be applied with a very thick, rich texture and requires some type of turpentine or paint thinner. Oil paintings are usually made on canvas and should be left uncovered when framed to enable the paint to breathe.

Acrylic painting was developed in the middle of the twentieth century. Acrylic is a type of synthetic resin based on polymer colours and the paint is made by dispersing pigment in an acrylic emulsion. The artist can thin these colours with water, but when they dry the resin particles coalesce to form a tough, flexible, rubbery film that is impervious to water. This paint is popular because it dries quickly enabling an artist to work over a previously painted area almost immediately. Although acrylics lack the manipulative qualities of oils and watercolours, artists can produce a matt, semi-matt or glossy finish by mixing them with the appropriate mediums. Like oil paintings, acylic paintings are usually made on canvas and left uncovered when framed.

Watercolours are translucent water-based paints. The technique is based on the transparent or glaze system of pigmentation that utilises the colour of the paper for its whites and pale tints. Watercolour paintings are usually made on paper and covered when framed, although some watercolour artists chose to mix watercolour paints with oil and paint on canvas to produce a hybrid (oil/watercolour) appearance and texture.

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How do I look after my painting in a humid climate like Hong Kong?

You should try to maintain a level of constant humidity where the humidity is not excessive, otherwise mould is likely to grow. Art which is exhibited in kitchens and bathrooms is more vulnerable to excessive humidity and is therefore more at risk.

Airconditioners and dehumidifiers should be used where art is displayed in warm and/or humid conditions.

Generally, for art which is on paper (such as a watercolour painting), framing the art with a glass cover will help to protect it. If your art is produced on paper, you should periodically examine it for the possible build-up of spots, particularly spots caused by trapped moisture. For works produced on a canvas which are usually not protected by glass, you should occasionally wipe the surface gently with a lint-free cloth.

All art should be kept out of direct sunlight to avoid the painting's colours fading.

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How should I frame my painting?

All of our paintings are sold unframed. But we are happy to advise you on the choice of frame and to assist you in arranging for your painting to be framed.

Most paintings are enhanced by a frame, although some paintings look better unframed - particularly very large works. You can also use a hybrid of the two where a painting is mounted on a frameless back board where the back board is larger than the painting and visible behind it. It is really a matter of preference, based on you, the painting and where it will be displayed. Where a frame is preferred, the width, depth and colour of the frame will be determined principally by the painting itself - the painting's colours, composition and style. Paintings which are displayed close to each other often look better in the same kind of frame. This makes the frame more anonymous and keeps attention on the paintings

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Any tips on where and how to hang my painting?
  • Art should generally be hung just above eye level. By this, we mean that if the art is displayed in a room in which people will generally be sitting (such as a living room), hang the art at a seated eye level. If it is a room in which people will generally be standing (such as a hallway), hang the art at a standing eye level.
  • Light your art work. Use non-glare, subdued lighting (up-lighting or track lighting) to focus attention on the art and to be able to see it better.
  • Balance a room in which art is displayed. Don't put too much in one part of a room and too little in the other.
  • Complement your furniture. Covering two thirds of the space above your furniture with art usually achieves a good aesthetic proportion.
  • Think of different ways to hang art: In adddition to conventional wall hangings, consider displaying your art on bookcases, cabinet tops and easels.
  • And remember not to hang your paintings where they will be exposed to strong sunlight.