Room Temperature For Oil Paintings

The average winter temperature here ranges from 18 to 33 f 8 to 1 c though i m sure it doesn t get that cold upstairs.

Room temperature for oil paintings.

If acrylic paintings are stored at really low temperatures 40f 4c or below the paint film will become brittle which could result in damage. But when the temperature is about 50 degrees f the recoat time may be extended to six hours. Right now i have a cheap set of acrylics and oils that have been heretofore kept at room temperature for a few years. Avoid high temperatures and humidity extreme changes in humidity and temperature can make the canvas and wood stretchers supporting the painting expand or contract.

By way of example temperatures above 45 degrees fahrenheit are recommended when using oil based paints. Although acrylic paintings dry faster than oil paintings oil paintings have a harder surface once they dry. Use tissue paper breathable sheets or foam to protect your oil paintings while you store them. For example at an ideal temperature of 75 degrees f you can usually recoat after four hours.

Painting in cold weather using alkyd or oil paints requires even more time in some instances more than 48 hours before recoating. I paint on wood braced panels i make myself. The type of paint is also important when it comes to temperature and humidity. Storing a painting in the dark will cause the oil painting to become darker over time.

Some sources say even 50f 10c is too risky. The key reason that the surface of acrylic paintings remains softer and more flexible at room temperature is because of their chemical makeup. Oil based paint between 45 90 degrees. The reason for this is the oil paint will eventually rot your canvas.

Will the cold or temperature fluctuations damage the paints or paintings. If you must paint in lower temperatures purchase the specially formulated latex paint made to perform in temperatures as low as 36 degrees f 2 2 c. I don t recommend painting on stretched canvas. The ideal temperature for storing paintings is room temperature between 60f and 80f 16c 26c.

However latex and acrylic paints work much better in temperatures that exceed 50 degrees fahrenheit. You must prep your canvas properly. If you do be sure to size your canvas first before you paint. This paint contains coalescing agents that bolster paint curing attributes during low temperatures.