- Never lean the front or back surface of a stretched canvas against a pointed or sharp object, no matter how small is it. Doing so, may leave a dent that could disfigure your artwork. If you must lean it against something, lean it on the wood of its stretcher bars so that nothing presses against the canvas.
- Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight will cause the colors in your oil painting to fade. Please be aware of this when choosing a location to display your work. Oil paintings can take up to a year to fully dry, and those that are not fully dried are particularly sensitive to light and dark. You may want to remove dust from your painting regularly, but avoid spraying anything onto the artwork. Instead, use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe away dust.
- The varnish on a painting serves as a protective surface that not only enhances the image but also helps to keep the surface intact and safe from cracking (except under extreme circumstances, of course). However, over time, oil paintings tend to yellow. This should be considered an unavoidable and perhaps even attractive trait.
- If you need to transport the painting, place a flat piece of cardboard, mat board, or similar firm material over the front and back surfaces, and then wrap it in bubble wrap or Styrofoam. Try not to keep it wrapped up for too long to avoid moisture buildup, which could potentially damage the painting.
- Never expose your painting to extreme heat, cold, or humidity. If something unfortunate happens to the work (such as it falling and getting a big gash), bring it to a professional conservator who can fix it properly. Do not attempt to fix it yourself. Bring it to someone who has the expertise to handle it correctly.