Albanian Countryside | Original Painting

Oil paint

I use artist-grade professional oil colour for all of my paintings. The paints are lightfast and will age well, retaining their vibrancy and true colour. The paint colours are pure, brilliant and intense, and will remain that way.

Primed wood panels

I paint on wood panels. I like that they allow precise detail, without the ‘pixels’ created by the texture of canvas. Compared to canvas, a wood panel is a much more durable painting surface. It cannot be poked and doesn't flex nearly as much as canvas which reduces the risk of the painting cracking or being ripped.

Wood panels are durable and will stand the test of time. They were the popular choice by artists in the Rennaissance. The Mona Lisa by Deonardo Da Vinci was painted on a wood panel.

I prepare the panels by priming with a layer of sealant and multiple layers of gesso. The sealant ensures that no oil seeps into the wood, and no chemicals from the wood seep up into the painting. The gesso provides an additional barrier between the wood and oil paint, and provides a more adherent surface for the oil paint to stick to. This process ensures that my paintings are archival and will last.

Varnish

I apply a layer of varnish on top of every finished piece. I use retouching / gallery varnish. This type of varnish can be applied to an oil painting that has recently been finished (within the last year) while still letting the paint oxidise underneath. It provides a vibrancy to the oil paint colours and protects the painting from dust and pollution. This varnish won’t yellow over time. If desired, a layer of damar varnish can be added over the top of this varnish once the painting is 1 year old, without the need to remove the existing varnish.

Find the right spot to avoid damage

Oil paintings are highly durable. But, it is important to consider temperature, air moisture, and lighting when thinking about the best place to hang your art.

Higher temperatures and humidity can lead to the deterioration of the painting. So, don’t hang your painting near heating vents, fireplaces or in areas with high moisture (like a bathroom). Strong UV light may fade colours over time, so avoid hanging on walls where direct sunlight will fall on the painting.

Find the spot that looks great

There are a few conventions that, if followed, will make your decisions easier:

• Hang paintings at eye level. Typically works should be hung at 1.55 metres, from the floor to the middle of the picture.
• A painting, or a group of paintings, should be ⅔ to ¾ of the width of the furniture piece it’s hung above.
• When hanging art in groups of two or more pictures, or as a gallery wall
• Consider an element that links the pieces. This may be a common colour, frame style or theme. Achieve a balanced composition by imagining the group of pictures as a single piece. Keep the space between the pictures constant, between 5 and 15cm apart.
• Leaving negative space between paintings helps a room feel less cluttered, and gives each individual artwork a chance to shine. A painting, or a group of paintings, shouldn’t take up more than 60% of the wall space. To make it easier to visualise - and before you put any holes in the wall that you may regret - trace the frame onto paper and use painter’s tape to stick it to the wall where you think you’d like to hang your painting.
  
  

Consider the walls 

Consider the material of the wall where you want to hang your painting. It may not be a great spot to choose after all if you have to navigate pipes, wires, or need specialty tools.

In modern houses, electrical wires and pipes tend to be channelled around the edges of walls and shouldn’t be a problem. But in older houses, this isn’t always the case.

For hanging on concrete, blockwork, brick or plasterboard it’s important to use tools and fixings designed for the wall type.

I sell my paintings unframed, so that they are ready for you to choose a frame to suit your taste and home decor.

Professional framers spend so much of their time framing for artists and then reframing for the buyer who doesn't like the original choice - what a waste!

My paintings are on wood panels with painted, finished edges so they can be framed in a floating style where the edges are exposed.

I recommend you use a professional framer. However, here are some online options that provide custom sized frames:

www.simplyframed.com - floating frames, US based and offer international shipping
www.easyframe.co.uk - canvas and box frames, UK only
www.framebridge.com - US only at the moment, but expanding
www.framefox.co.nz - Aus, NZ and UK shipping.
www.fantasticframing.com.au - Aus and NZ. They'll even collect.

Make sure you measure your painting precisely before ordering. Do not use the measurements provided on my website. I take no responsibility for frames that you order that don’t fit your painting!

If the online framer doesn’t have the option for framing panels then choose stretched canvas. This will allow space for the panel and remove the glazing which is not needed for an oil painting.

Design and style

A frame needs to suit your style, your home and the painting itself. 

Paintings on board can be framed in two styles. Either in a traditional frame, where the painting is loaded from the back and the frame overlaps the edge of the painting. Or, in a floating frame where the painting is installed into the frame from the front and the gap between the painting and frame makes it look like it is floating.

Oil paintings, traditionally, do not need matting (a piece of card added between the painting and the frame). Similarly, glass is not typically installed in framed oil paintings. This is to allow the painting to breathe as it continues to oxidise. If you do choose to add glass to your frame, make sure it doesn’t touch the painting to avoid damage.

Consider the material of the frame - do you want a contemporary, sleek look or a warm, traditional feel? To choose the colour of the frame, consider taking inspiration from colours in the painting or going for a neutral colour to let the painting stand out. Lighter colours immediately around the painting can give it visual space so it doesn’t seem cramped or swamped by the frame.

The size of the frame should be proportional to the size of the painting. Ideally, a traditional frame will be 1.6x the size of the painting. 

I suggest using this website to generate free mock-ups and test out different frame styles.

I recommend you use a professional framer. However, here are some online options that provide custom sized frames:

www.simplyframed.com - floating frames, US based and offer international shipping
www.easyframe.co.uk - canvas and box frames, UK only
www.framebridge.com - US only at the moment, but expanding
www.framefox.co.nz - Aus, NZ and UK shipping. 
www.fantasticframing.com.au - Aus and NZ. They'll even collect.

Make sure you measure your painting precisely before ordering. Do not use the measurements provided on my website. I take no responsibility for frames that you order that don’t fit your painting!

If the online framer doesn’t have the option for framing panels then choose stretched canvas. This will allow space for the panel and remove the glazing which is not needed for an oil painting.

Practical decisions

If you’ve got your heart set on hanging your painting in a hot, bright or humid place, your framing choices can help prevent damage. Special glass can be used to prevent UV light from fading your work. Similarly, your frame can be sealed to protect your painting from humidity or pollution.

Hanging

Ideally, use a double fixing on either end of the artwork (rather than a single central fixing). This will prevent it hanging forward, moving when someone brushes past it, or even falling.

Always err on the side of caution and use bigger fixings that you think are necessary! You may need to ask your framer to incorporate this into your frame.

Oil paintings are durable - just take some care and you’ll enjoy your painting for generations.

Dust

Remove dust from your painting regularly to avoid it building up. Dust can contain certain acids which can erode or dry out the artwork. You can periodically remove dust from the oil painting with a soft brush or lint cloth. Don’t use feather dusters or dust cloths as they may scratch the painting surface. Don’t use a damp cloth or cleaning chemicals.

Aerosols

Aerosols or fine mist cleaning products should not be used near a painting. If you do use them, then spray them on a rag away from the painting, rather than spraying directly onto nearby surfaces. 

Varnish

Your painting has a coat of varnish on top of the oil paint. Varnish helps to protect from dust and pollution reaching the surface of the paint and damaging it. It creates a barrier to prevent removal of paint/colour when cleaning.

A new varnish can be applied over the current varnish without any need to remove it first. I have used retouch / gallery varnish on all of my paintings.

Can I return my original painting?

Yes, I offer refunds for returns within 28 days from the date your order was delivered.

You must tell me, within 14 days of receiving your painting, that you wish to return it. You then have another 14 days to return the painting once you've told me.

How do I return my original painting?

Please contact me at harrietlawless@gmail.com within 14 days from the date your order was delivered and before returning any items. Please remember to state your order number and relevant contact information in the email.

By return email, I will provide you the return address. I will only accept returns delivered at the given address. Any customs paperwork for return postage are your responsibility.

The artwork must be returned in its original condition and in the original, undamaged packaging or similar protective box. I reserve the right to refuse any returns that do not fulfil these criteria. 

Returns and exchanges happen at your own risk and own expense (shipping costs are to be paid by you). If any items arrive back damaged I cannot provide any refund.

How do I get a refund for my return?

I will make a refund to the payment method you used for your order and send you a confirmation within 14 days of receiving the returned artwork.

Can I exchange an original painting or print?

No, sorry. Please follow my return instructions and then simply place a new order for the new item you want.

My order has arrived damaged. What now?

If your order for any reason or in any way arrives damaged, please let me know immediately.

Please take photos of both the package and the damaged painting(s) and send them together with other relevant information about the claim and your order number to harrietlawless@gmail.com. Please email me within 1 day of received your order. If too much time has elapsed between the delivery date and your claim email then I won't be able to process the claim. I'll find a solution for you!

Commissions

There are no returns for commissions as they are customised for you. I will of course replace or refund your painting if lost or damaged in the post.

Shipping price - Original Paintings

Get free shipping on orders of more than two originals. Use code FREESHIPPING42 at checkout.

I charge a flat-rate shipping fee for all original paintings, based on the painting's size. The fee includes fast, tracked shipping and secure packaging.

This may be confusing if you're working in currencies other than GBP. It may be easier for you to add to cart to see your final shipping cost calculated in your own currency.

Estimated arrival time - Original Paintings

The approximate time from when you place your order to when you receive your painting is 2-4 weeks. 

I ship original paintings within 10 working days from when you placed your order. This gives the painting time to dry and be varnished before it is packaged for shipping.

You will be notified when your painting has been dispatched and can fully track its journey online.

Shipping times vary due to size of the painting, delivery location, customs etc. and I can't take responsibility for any delays outside of my control, like delays in shipment, customs, weather, covid restrictions etc.

If you need your painting by a specific date please let me know when you place your order and I'll do everything in my power to get it to you by then, but can't guarantee a delivery date.

All original paintings completed before February 2023 are stored in Australia. So please note that your painting will be shipped to you from there. This shouldn't affect shipping times beyond what's been stated above.

Tracking

All packages have track and trace. Tracking information will be sent to you in a separate email, please check your spam folder.

Custom taxes and import duties

Please be advised that local taxes and import duties may apply and are not included in the shipping costs. The payable import taxes and duties are the responsibility of the customer.

What to do if my order is delayed?

If your order is delayed, please have a look at the tracking provided for any updates. I'll also keep an eye on the tracking for all original paintings to make sure there aren't any delays in customs etc. that I can assist with and will contact the couriers to enquire where required. But, it's often out of our control and we just have to wait.

Can I change the delivery address when my order has been placed?

Maybe, but be quick as I can't guarantee your order won't already be fulfilled. Email me by responding to your order confirmation email and I'll see what I can do. If not, then you'll need to arrange to pick up your order from the original delivery address and I can't give refunds in these situations.

What if I refuse my delivery?

Unfortunately, that does not mean that the parcel will be sent back to me automatically. Instead, it might be destroyed. It is the full responsibility of the customer and I can not refund for refused deliveries.

Yes! See my commissions page here.

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