Expert: DJ Murphy - 1/15/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi. I have a few oil paintings done on canvas panels - they
are small canvas boards, about 14"x16" and about 1/4" thick.
They are unframed. Can you suggest a good way to mail them
so they would securely packaged. How would I protect the surface
of the painting while at the same time not pressing anything
too firmly against the surface of the painting? Thanks!

ANSWER: Assuming the paint is dry.....use a few sheets of clear writing paper on
surface and then bubble wrap [double] and put in cardboard box.

All the best,

dj murphy
www.galleryonemain.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks. Regarding dryness, let's say I have an oil painting done 6 months ago and I varnished it last week. The varnish feels dry, but I am not sure if it is dry enough through and through so that the pieces of writing paper wouldn't start sticking.. How long would you give for varnish to dry through and through? The second part of my follow-up is, assuming all is totally dry, how does your method protect the canvas from being poked through the outer package by a sharp object during transit ?

Answer
Wait until it is completely dry and I can't tell you how long that
would be...depends on the humidity in your drying room, etc.
........concerns about something poking thru
the wrapping...then use thin sheet of plywood or thick cardboard.

dj murphy
www.galleryonemain.com