Many paintings have been around for hundreds of years and there are many paintings we would like to have around for hundreds of years. However, paintings are very delicate objects and they need to have the proper care or they will not stand the test of time. The conservation of paintings is a very important and precise ‘science’, so much so that there are people who dedicate their life to conserving works of art.

What can happen to a painting you ask? How many things can possibly go wrong with it? Many.

First of all, the canvas itself can become damaged. It can split at the edges or have a hole or rip in it. If it is painted on wood the wood can become warped and split. It is also susceptible to bugs such as word worms. Canvas may begin to sag or bulge in places. Now we come to the actual painting. Even if the foundation of the painting is solid, the paint may be fading or it may be chipping or fallen off already. The varnish on it may be discolored and it can also suffer from mold or mildew or be whitening.

Now, paintings are generally going to be in one of two places – in transport or hanging on a wall (they could also be in storage, but we are assuming that they are stored properly). The physical damage described above is generally caused during transport, unless it happens to get knocked off the wall somehow. Other than using the most extreme care possible when transporting a painting it is also wise to have the final location picked out and ready before you remove it from its existing location so that you do not have to put it down during transport and risk damaging it. When you do need to put it down, place it on a padded surface and lean it against a wall face out and away from furniture or other objects that it might bump against.

The painting itself is generally damaged by improper temperature and humidity levels. These two things have to be ideal for a painting or it can begin to show the signs of deterioration listed above. Have you ever wondered why the local art gallery is so cool? Well, they have to control the temperature and humidity in order to ensure the paintings do not get damaged. If you have paintings in your home you need to do the same. Ideally the temperature should be at most room temperature and the relative humidity should be at about 55%. Lighting should be low as high light tends to fade and discolor the paint faster. Also, dust can contain acid, which can damage the paint. Keep you hands off the painting and dust it with a soft brush (not feather or sheepskin).

Keep all these things in mind when hanging your painting. This means don’t hang it over the heater or right next to a window and keep your air conditioning on in the summer. In other words, think very carefully before you hang your painting and if the frame is damaged get it fixed or replaced as it can cause physical damage to the painting. So take care of your paintings and not only will you enjoy them for a lifetime, your children and their children will enjoy them as well.

Can you choose just any old frame for a painting? Well, you could, but don’t tell the artist. This means that the frame has, among its many other functions, the job of complimenting the work of art. In other words, the frame is not merely a means of hanging a painting on a wall.

But choosing the right frame is almost as difficult as choosing the painting you wanted in the first place.

So what does a frame do? Frames have a number of functions. One of these is to add to the physical stability of the painting and help keep it from being damaged. Another is to separate the painting from the wall. Aside from this, the frame can be very aesthetically pleasing.

Frames can be made out of anything; wood, plastic, metal, paper, stone or even glass.  Most common are the wooden frames, although environmentally friendly plastic frames are becoming more popular. As techniques improve frames can be manufactured from compressed polystyrene with real wood effect. Not only do they look like the real thing, but they are lighter, cheaper, stronger and more durable - all this without needing to chop a tree down.

When choosing your frame it is important to consider the architectural style of the room in which the painting is to hang, as you will want to compliment this style. You also want to decide of you want to use the frame to draw attention to the painting as the focal point of the room or whether you want to have it blend into the décor.

Another important thing to consider is the width of the frame. With smaller pictures it may be of value to use a wider frame as long as this can help draw the eyes towards the centre. This larger frame will also help the painting take up more wall space. With medium and large painting a narrower frame is best, so that it does not over power the piece. When in doubt, go narrower rather than risk too wide.

The colour of the frame is a difficult choice, and it really depends upon what painting you’re framing and what your own taste is. Black and silver generally go with everything and so are quite safe bets. Black will make the painting look neater, whilst silver will brighten it up. Wood finishes are great, but they must match up with the decoration of the room where the painting will hang. The most popular colour for larger paintings is gold, as this will make the painting appear to glow. Be careful with gold however, as it can easily become overpowering. Wood with a gold highlight is a good compromise for those wishing to remain a little more discrete.

Don’t forget that you don’t actually need a frame for a painting. Some people choose to make wall hangings from just the canvas. Also, you can stretch the painting over a wooden frame as normal, but then not add the outer decorative frame. This creates a very minimalist look, which works well for more modern paintings such as pop art, but can ruin some of the older masters. If you choose this route, be sure to allow for the extra canvas which will be needed to cover the sides of the stretching frame, as without an outer frame this part will become visible.

Whether you have a professional do the framing or you pick it out and do it yourself, choosing the right frame will add value and beauty to your painting. This is not an area in which you want to skimp on price. After all, you paid for the painting. Now frame it well and show it off.

You have chosen the perfect frame for your painting, but before you frame it you have to stretch the painting. The act of stretching the painting is important for the stability and appearance of your painting. The first thing you need to do is purchase stretcher bars that correspond to the size of your painting as well as a staple gun or small tacks and a hammer. When stretching, it is crucial that the stretcher bars form a perfect square/rectangle.

Lay your canvas, paint side down on a very clean surface so the painting does not get damaged. Center the stretcher frame on top of the painting and then begin by folding the canvas over one of the short sides of the stretcher frame. Staple it to the center of the strip of wood. Then go to the opposite side and using canvas pliers, grab the canvas and pull it gently to create a crease in the center of it. Keeping that crease and tension in tact, staple the canvas to the strip of wood. Repeat this process for the other two sides.

Once all four sides are stapled, use the canvas pliers to grab the canvas on either side of the center staple and staple there. Repeat for all sides. This way you will have three staples on each side of the frame. The final step is to fold the material at the corners neatly and tuck them in and staple them.

It is important that the painting be stretched fully and properly. Otherwise, the painting will sag in the middle. Once stretched you can move on to framing and enjoying the beautiful work of art you have brought home.