Lightfastness: A Major Consideration

Have you ever seen a faded poster in the window of a store?  This is what is meant by “lightfastness”.  Over time, the sun’s rays damage and break down the colourful pigments.  Eventually, only the strongest pigments remain.  These are usually the blues and the blacks.  So, how do we deal with this issue when it comes to art and paintings?

The first step is to select the correct paints and pigments.  All artist-grade paints are rated for their lightfastness.  In general, I only use pigments that have an excellent or very good rating.  Unfortunately, some colours, such as pinks and oranges, are susceptible to fading.  However, there are ways to resolve this issue.

Sealants and varnishes are another way to protect a painting.  Virtually all of my paintings have a UV-resistant coating of some sort.  Thankfully, these coatings do not dull the overall colour of the image.  In fact, some of the coatings actually make the colours more vibrant.

If the painting has been created on a very delicate surface, varnishes can be a problem.  This is where UV-resistant glass becomes an excellent option.  Virtually all professional framers offer UV-resistant glass in their shops.  If you’re getting a painting framed, be sure to ask for this type of glass.

The final step is to ensure that paintings are never stored in direct sunlight.  This is the worst possible thing for your painting.  Not only does it risk fading the paint, but it exposes the image to intense temperature fluctuations.  This can damage the painting’s surface and cause some coatings to peel.  In Tibet, scroll paintings (“Thangka”) often included a veil.  If your painting has a veil, it’s a good idea to lower it during the day.

Keep in mind that even with UV-resistant coatings and glass, your painting can still fade if you’re careless with it.  However, if you follow the steps that I mentioned, you’ll be able to enjoy your paintings for decades to come.  If you’re extremely careful, your ancestors may even be able to enjoy them!