oil paintings Archives | Teresa Bernard Oil Paintings

September 17, 2016January 15, 2021

Sunflower From Behind

Size: 20″ w x 16″ h
Support: Gallery wrap stretched canvas
Description: Add a little sunshine to your life! This is an oil painting of a sunflower as seen from the backside of the blossom. This painting will not require a frame as the composition extends around the edges of the canvas surface.

sunflower from behind painting — Not to scale

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This painting comes with an official Certificate of Authenticity. It is your guarantee the artwork you have purchased is a genuine Teresa Bernard Oil Painting.

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Purchasing Information

$410

FREE shipping and handling within the U.S.A.

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Artist Comments

I love all flowers, however, one of my favorites the sunflower. I love the bright sunshine yellow petals and huge blossoms that resemble the sun. Most paintings of sunflowers are composed from the front of the blossom, however, the back side of some flowers can be just as interesting and the sunflower is a good example of one.

Some Interesting Things About Sunflowers

- The sunflower is a plant that is native to North America. Later it was introduced to Mexico and Peru. They can grow up to 6 feet tall and prefer dry, sunny places where their roots can dig deep into the soil.
- When the plant is in the bud stage, it will face the sun following its movement across the sky from horizon to horizon. This movement allows it to get the maximum amount of the sun’s rays. Once the flower is fully opened into the radiance of yellow petals, it faces east only. It is not known why it does this. One theory is it is possibly a defensive response to prevent the sun from scalding the seed pod during hot summer days.
- The sunflower is often equated as a symbol of spiritual faith, worship, adoration, loyalty and longevity. Perhaps because it is always seeking the “Light”.

Have a question?

If you have a question about this painting, please contact us and we’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.

Other Paintings Of Interest

Yellow Rose Of Texas oil painting — 18″ w x 18″ h

Protea Flower painting by Teresa Bernard — 6″ w x 6″ h

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UPDATED: 11 December 2020

May 28, 2016January 16, 2021

The Large White Dog

white dog pet painting — © Copyright 2016 – Present

Size: 16″ w x 20″ h
Support: Gallery wrap stretched canvas
Description: An oil painting of the profile of a large white dog, perhaps of the Great Pyrenees variety. In the background is a field of yellow wildflowers. Gallery wrap means this painting will not require a frame as the composition extends around the edges of the canvas surface.

large-white-dog-desk-lamp-white-brick-wall

Authenticity Certified

This painting comes with an official Certificate of Authenticity. It is your guarantee the artwork you have purchased is a genuine Teresa Bernard Oil Painting.

>> More information

Purchasing Information

$410

FREE shipping and handling within the U.S.A.

All transactions are handled via PayPal, a safe and secure way to make your purchase.

Artist Comments

This is a painting of a large white dog, possibly a Great Pyrenees. The Great Pyrenees has been one of my favorite breed of dog ever since Lobo, our Pyrenees-mix, showed up at our door one day and decided to stay. Living out in the country as we do, means we get a lot of strays who wonder up to our door looking for a place to call home. We don’t know where they come from, but we never turn them away. We try to reunite them with their owner, if possible. If not, then we find them a new home or wind up adopting them ourselves. This artwork isn’t specifically of Lobo, but the dog portrayed in it sure does remind me of him.

A Few Fun Facts About Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees makes great family pets with their calm, devoted and well-mannered disposition. They are very devoted to those they love and will protect family with their very life if need be. In addition, they make great guard dogs, especially around livestock.

The Great Pyrenees is a dog of great intellect with a mind of their own, love to figure things out by themselves and are good at problem solving. While this is a wonderful trait, it can create a bit of a challenge when it comes to training.

For more information about this breed of dog, visit this website.

Have a question?

If you have a question about this painting, please contact us and we’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.

Other Paintings Of Interest

American Bison Our National Animal By Teresa Bernard — 24″ w x 18″ h

Texas Longhorn In The Meadow oil painting — 20″ w x 16″ h

TX Horned Toad Lizard (A.K.A Horny Toad) oil painting — 6″ w x 6″ h

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UPDATED: 16 May 2020

May 1, 2016January 11, 2021

My Oil Paintings Index

UPDATED: 29 December 2020

Artist Teresa Bernard Below is a list of all my oil paintings on this website. If you don’t find the painting you are searching for here, then chances are it isn’t one of mine. Of course this list isn’t exhaustive. I’ve been painting since my preteens and that was before the Internet arrived on the scene and I built this website. Unfortunately I don’t have any photographs of those early paintings, only my memories. So there are some paintings by me out in the world that will only be enjoyed by those who possess them.

Click on the thumbnail for more information about that painting.

Animals & Wildlife

monarch butterfly painting — The Monarch Butterfly (2019)
6″ w x 6″ h
**$150**

Africa wildlife giraffes — Africa Wildlife — Giraffes (2019)
18″ w x 24″ h
SOLD

Africa wildlife leopard painting — Africa Wildlife — Leopard (2019)
18″ w x 24″ h
SOLD

African Elephant Serengeti painting — African Elephant On The Serengeti (2018)
18″ w x 24″ h
SOLD

TX Horned Toad Lizard Painting — The Texas Horned Lizard (2018)
6″ w x 6″ h
**$150**

ladybug oil painting — Ladybug #1 – Hanging On Tight (2016)
6″ w x 6″ h
**$150**

ladybug on a flower painting — Ladybug #2 – Almost Perfect Camouflage (2016) 6″ w x 6″ h
**$150**

white dog pet portrait — The Large White Dog (2016)
16″ w x 20″ h
**$410**

longhorn cow oil painting — Texas Longhorn in The Meadow (2013)
20″ w x 16″ h
**$410**

Pet Portrait of Frank (2010)
12″ w x 16″ h
SOLD

african wildlife art — Raging African Elephant (2007)
18″ w x 24″ h
SOLD

Flower Art

Magnolia Flower Blossom oil painting — Magnolia Blossom (2007)
18″ w x 18″ h
SOLD

Red Rose flower art — Tyler Rose
(2006)
16″ w x 12″ h
SOLD

Landscape Paintings

Devils Tower painting by Teresa Bernard — Devils Tower–Our National Monument (2019) 6″ w x 6″ h
**$150**

Mt Kilimanjaro Rising oil painting — Mount Kilimanjaro Rising (2018)
30″ w x 24″ h
SOLD

Lighthouse Monument, Palo Duro Canyon wall art — Lighthouse, Palo Duro Canyon (2016)
16″ w x 12″ h
**$330**

Texas Flag Barn artwork — Texas Flag Barn
(2015)
20″ w x 16″ h
**$410**

Life in Texas — Round Hay Bales painting — Life In Texas — Round Hay Bales (2013)
16″ w x 20″ h
**$410**

Cowboy Sunset canvas wall art — Cowboy Sunset
(2012)
24″ w x 18″ h
**$470**

Forgotten Roads Of Bygone Days canvas artwork — Forgotten Roads Of Bygone Days (2012)
24″ w x 18″ h
**$470**

Camelthorn Trees of Africa painting — Camelthorn Trees Of Africa (2011)
24″ w x 24″ h
**$530**

Van Gogh’s Church at Auvers, France oil painting — Van Gogh’s Church At Auvers, France (2011)
20″ w x 24″ h
**$490**

Mt. Kilimanjaro Africa art — Scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro (2011)
24″ w x 18″ h
SOLD

Covered Wagon On The Prairie artwork — Covered Wagon On The Prairie (2010)
20″ w x 16″ h
**$410**

Monument Valley artwork — Monument Valley – Navajo Nation (2009)
16″ w x 12″ h
**$330**

Calvary at Sunset wall artwork — Calvary At Sunset (2009)
20″ w x 16″ h
**$410**

The Garden Tomb oil painting — The Garden Tomb (2004)
9″ w x 12″ h
NOT FOR SALE

The Garden Tomb at Sunset oil painting — The Garden Tomb At Sunset (2004)
12″ w x 9″ h
**$260**

The Grand Teton Mountains painting — The Grand Teton Mountains (2003)
18″ w x 14″ h
SOLD

Sunset Over Texas oils on canvas — Sunset Over Texas (2001)
12″ w x 9″ h
SOLD

Fence Post In The Snow wall art — Fence Post In The Snow (2001)
9″ w x 12″ h
SOLD

The Giants Of Sequoia National Park painting — The Giants Of Sequoia (1998)
12″ w x 16″ h
SOLD

Covered Bridge Of Lane County Oregon artwork — Covered Bridge Of Lane County (1997)
12″ w x 9″ h
SOLD

Marine Life & Seascapes

tropical sunset painting by Teresa Bernard — Sunset In The Tropics (2020)
6″ w x 6″ h
**$150**

Victoria Falls, Zambia Africa painting — Victoria Falls, Africa
(2018)
30″ w x 24″ h
SOLD

Return To Peggy's Cove oil painting — Return To Peggy’s Cove (2009)
20″ w x 18″ h
SOLD

Currituck Beach Lighthouse oil painting — Currituck Beach Lighthouse (2008)
11″ w x 14″ h
**$300**

Peggy's Cove Revisited — Peggy’s Cove Revisited (2008)
20″ w x 16″ h
SOLD

Sea Of Galilee At Capernaum painting — Sea Of Galilee At Capernaum (2005)
20″ w x 16″ h
**$410**

Peggy's Cove painting — Peggy’s Cove
(2005)
20″ w x 16″ h
SOLD

The Fisherman oil painting — The Fisherman
(2003)
9″ w x 12″ h
SOLD

Along The Inter Coastal Waterway artwork — Along The ICW
(2001)
12″ w x 9″ h
**$175**

Bunratty Ireland oil painting — Irish Fishing Village, Bunratty IRL (2001)
12″ w x 9″ h
SOLD

Heceta Head Lighthouse painting — Heceta Head Lighthouse (2000)
16″ w x 12″ h
SOLD

clown fish painting — Clownfish
(1998)
9″ w x 12″ h
SOLD

Oregon Coast South Of The Sea Lion Caves oil painting — Oregon Coast
(1977)
9″ w x 12″ h
SOLD

People & Portraits

Girl In Red The Dress Painting by Teresa Bernard — Girl In The Red Dress
(2020)
24″ w x 18″ h
**$470**

The Ballerina oil painting — The Ballerina
(2013)
24″ w x 18″ h
**$470**

Portrait of Tera oil painting — Portrait Of Tera
(2005)
16″ w x 20″ h
NOT FOR SALE

Portrait of Robert painting — Portrait Of Robert
(2003)
12″ w x 16″ h
NOT FOR SALE

Space Art

Fly Me To The Moon painting by Teresa Bernard — Fly Me To The Moon
(2020)
9″ w x 12″ h
**$175**

Space The Next Frontier oil painting — Space…The Next Frontier (2017)
24″ w x 18″ h
**$470**

Night Sky Over Delicate Arch painting by Teresa Bernard — Night Sky Over Delicate Arch (2017)
6″ w x 6″ h
SOLD

Moonset oil painting — Moonset
(2013)
20″ w x 16″ h
**$410**

First Footprint on the Moon space art — First Footprint On The Moon (2012)
18″ w x 24″ h
SOLD

First Man on the Moon oil painting — First Man on the Moon (2012)
24″ w x 18″ h
**$470**

Land Rover Tracks of Mars painting — Land Rover Tracks of Mars (2012)
18″ w x 24″ h
SOLD

Still Life Paintings

tractor tire oil painting — Still Life With Tractor Tire (2016)
12″ w x 16″ h
**$330**

Iron Age Pottery Still Life painting — Still Life With Iron Age Pottery (2006)
14″ w x 11″ h
**$300**

Still Life with Coral and Lantern painting — Still Life With Coral And Lantern (2004)
14″ w x 11″ h
**$300**

Still Life with Fruit and Candle painting — Still Life With Fruit And Candle (2004)
14″ w x 11″ h
**$300**

The Communion Table oil painting — The Communion Table (2004)
14″ w x 11″ h
SOLD

The Study still life oil painting — The Study
(2004)
14″ w x 11″ h
**$300**

Still Life With Boat Fenders marine art — Marine Still Life With Boat Fenders (2003)
9″ w x 12″ h
**$175**

Barn Door with Horse Tack oil painting — Barn Door With Horse Tack (2003)
12″ w x 9″ h
SOLD

Art Commissions

Not Finding What You Are Looking For?

Teresa is also a commission artist. She has done paintings for fellow art enthusiasts around the world. If you have a special painting in mind, follow the link for more information on how to commission a painting.

Authenticity Certified

This certifies that I, Teresa Bernard, am the artist of all my paintings displayed on this website and that you are purchasing it directly from me. Your purchase of any of my paintings is not via art dealers or a gallery. Every painting by me comes with a custom designed official Certificate of Authenticity that is hand signed and embossed with my personal seal to guarantee the buyer is receiving genuine, original, artwork. More information.

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December 24, 2015October 26, 2020

The Importance of Varnishing Oil Paintings

Now that you have bought that beautiful oil painting, you will want to take measures to insure that it stays that way. One very important thing to do is make sure it has received several coats of artist grade non-yellowing varnish.

Varnish is a final, clear protective layer applied to a painting after it is finished and completely dry. The artist should have already done this before selling the painting. It is an important first step in preserving the work of art so it lasts for generations to come.

Why varnish an oil painting?

1. Varnish saturates the colors making them pop. Varnish brings out the vibrancy of the colors and gives them that just painted look and shine. In addition, varnish helps to keep those beautiful colors from fading as the years go by.

2. Varnish creates an even sheen over the entire surface of the painting. Oil paint colors dry very differently because of the different pigments that go into making up each individual color. When completely dry, some colors appear matte, some satin and some glossy. A layer or two of varnish will even out the final appearance of the painting, giving it a consistent overall look.

3. Varnish protects the painted surface from atmospheric elements and makes the surface easier to clean. All paintings will require cleaning as time goes by; however, varnish will reduce the frequency of those cleanings and reduce the risk of any possible damage to the painting. If the painting isn’t varnished, over time dust, grime, dirt, grease, moisture and pollution in the environment will change the look of the painting. These can dull the colors, causing them to crack and chip off as the years go by.

When should a painting be varnished?

An oil painting should be allowed to dry for a minimum of 6 months. Depending on how thick the paint is applied it might even need as much as 12 months of drying time before applying varnish. It’s crucial that the oil painting is completely dry before varnish is applied, otherwise the varnish may crack. This is because varnish dries before the oil paint does. As oil paint dries it moves slightly and since the varnish is already dry it begins to crack.

If your painting has never been varnished, you will need to wait at least a year and then take it to a reputable frame shop. They maybe able to varnish the painting, however, it will most like be for a fee. Or is you know of an artist in your area who is an oil painter they may varnish the painting for you as well.

One final solution is to varnish the painting yourself, however, I wouldn’t recommend this if your painting is an extremely valuable piece of art. If you do varnish the painting yourself be sure to use varnish designed for fine art oil paintings. Be sure to follow all instructions on the label. It is not recommended that you use varnish obtained from a hardware store as this kind is to too harsh for the painting and could wind up damaging it.

Additional Reading

A Practical Guide To Caring For Your Oil Paintings

Proper Care of Your Sunset Oil Paintings

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UPDATED: 26 September 2020

December 23, 2015October 26, 2020

Proper Care of Your Sunset Oil Paintings

Taking good care of your sunset oil paintings will ensure they last throughout the years and the colors will stay vibrant. Proper care consists of several things you need to take into to consideration.

Here is what you need to keep in mind:

Cleaning Your Painting

Over time your sunset oil paintings will become soiled from dust, lint, cobwebs, dirt, cigarette smoke, or just plain old wear and tear. This can cause all the beautiful colors of the sunset to appear dull and less vivid. With some simple cleaning techniques it is easy to keep the dazzle in those brilliant shades of yellow, orange, blue and purple that make up your sunset canvas art.

The first thing you need to do is remove your painting from the wall. Never try to clean it while it is hanging. You should also remove it from the frame as well. Dust does get into the crevice where the frame overlaps the painting sometimes it is impossible to clean it out while still in the frame. When cleaning be sure to use a soft cloth. Old cotton t shirts or even cloth diapers are great for this purpose. For dusting you can use a feather duster or a Swiffer Duster to remove light coatings of dust, cobwebs and lint. For grimy, oily or sticky areas of the painting you can use an emulsion cleaner that can purchased at an art supply store. Never use a strong detergent as this can damage the colors of your sunset painting.

Preserving the Color

Preserving your sunset oil paintings so they will last a lifetime and even into the next century is a simple task if you follow this easy commonsense technique to care for your artwork. Do not expose your painting to direct sunlight or ultraviolet lights over an extended period of time. Doing so will result in the bright yellow, orange, blue and purple pigments that make up your sunset to fade over time. The best lighting is diffused natural or artificial lights.

Oil paintings need to have some exposure to diffused lighting, if left in storage or in an unlit room for extended periods of time, the linseed oil in the pigment will turn yellow. However, this is a naturally occurring event that the oil goes through. The yellowing can be reversed by putting the painting in a room with natural or artificial lighting. After a couple of days the yellowing in the linseed oil will fade and restore the painting to its original color.

Protecting the Painting

Atmospheric conditions can also affect oil paintings. If you want to make sure your sunset painting will last a hundred years and beyond then you need to take certain steps to protect your canvas art from damage by the environment. Every part of a painting will expand and constrict due to atmospheric conditions. This will cause stress on the painting which can result in premature aging and damage to the artwork. Undergoing rapid changes in temperature and humidity will create the most stress on a work of art. The best environment for a sunset painting is a controlled one where there is a constant 65° temperature.

If this isn’t always possible, the next best thing is to take these precautions. It is best to avoid conditions of extreme dryness and heat or humidity and cold that can occur if the painting is displayed in areas where they are directly under air conditioners, heating vents, fireplaces, etc. Also kitchens and bathrooms can create conditions of rapidly changing heat, cold and humidity. Long term exposure to such conditions can cause the paint to flake, the canvas to rot, or the pigment to discolor.

Additional Reading

A Practical Guide To Caring For Your Oil Paintings

Importance of Varnishing Oil Paintings, The

Sunset Paintings Collection

Oil Paintings of Texas Sunsets

The Evening Sky Captured in a Sunset Oil Painting

Why I Love Sunset Oil Paintings

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UPDATED: 26 October 2020

November 8, 2015October 29, 2020

Photographing the Setting Sun for Your Sunset Paintings

Just about everyone loves a beautiful sunset. That radiant burst of color at the beginning (sunrise) or end of the day. Because of this, sunset paintings are a favorite subject to paint for many artists. However, painting a sunset on location isn’t practical. Therefore I suggest taking your camera and shooting reference photos of some lovely sunsets to use back in your art studio.

Using reference photos to create your oil painting is a handy method that will save you time and also preserve your sunset in real life. No two sunsets are alike and they disappear quickly, therefore, taking a reference photo of your sunset can prove to be very useful. It allows you to paint your painting in the comfort of your art studio and at any time of the day or night.

Photographing sunsets is a good idea especially if you want to paint them on canvas. Here’s why:

- The sun sets quickly in the evening sky. It would be hard to get your painting done before it goes down.
- No two sunsets are identical making it further difficult to paint one on location.
- Painting a canvas on location would require it to be started and completed in the same session, however since the sun goes down so fast, this might not be possible.
- Photographing the sunset means you can now take it with you back to the art studio and use the image as reference material for your painting.

Reference photos are a great way to forever record a fleeting moment such as a sunset. Here are some great tips for photographing a setting sun:

Tip 1 — Show up early for the shot. It may seem like a slow setting sun, but in reality a beautiful sunset is over with very quickly. Arriving early allows you the opportunity of getting several detail shots for shadows and also other objects that can be used to make your sunset painting a more interesting composition. Try to include objects other than the sun or clouds in your photo shoot. Also think about silhouetting some of the objects against the sky. You will also want to take some photos after the sun has already gone down for further reference when you go back to you studio to start your painting.

Tip 2 — Apply the rule of thirds when photographing the setting sun. Place the horizon either 2/3 of the way up or down in your shot for a more interesting composition. It all depends on your emphasis. If you have a dramatic sky then place the horizon line low to include more sky than ground, if the ground or water is more dynamic than the sky, then place the horizon high on your canvas to include more of what’s going on below. In addition, do not place the sun directly in the center of your frame. Place it over to the side to create more interest. Be sure to use these same tips when you transfer your composition to canvas.

For more information about the rule of thirds, see article titled “Creating Better Compositions in All Your Paintings“.

Tip 3 — Determine what orientation, either portrait or landscape, that you want to your painting to be. Most sunset paintings are landscape in orientation because this allows for the widest possible angle to capture on canvas the most sunset. However don’t dismiss a portrait orientation especially if you have something interesting going on in the foreground. Vertical sunset paintings offer much when it come to including other objects such as water towers, windmills or trees as silhouettes in your painting. Consider including some of those objects too.

Following these simple tips will help make it easier to compose your painting once you get back to the studio and start putting brush to canvas.

Sunsets are a favorite genre of Teresa Bernard. You can view her sunset oil paintings here.

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UPDATED: 27 April 2016

November 4, 2015October 26, 2020

The Flower Paintings of Vincent van Gogh

van gogh self portrait — Self Portrait by Vincent van Gogh, 1889

Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch born impressionist and post-impressionist artist. In his life time Van Gogh painted a lot of paintings. Among these were still lifes depicting flowers. Van Gogh loved nature and flowers offered him the opportunity to portray nature at its best. He often used ordinary flowers that grew in the countryside near his home as subject matter for many of his flower oil paintings. Some of this floral art is considered among his most famous masterpieces. For example, his sunflower series is perhaps the most famous of all his works. The flowers he chose to paint were put into floral arrangements standing in vases and also as flowers laying down on the ground. He also loved to paint flowers in their natural habitat, the countryside and gardens. From van Gogh’s depiction of sunflowers, irises, roses, poppies, corn flowers, myosotys and chrysanthemums, he brought life and emotion to his work putting his own unique perspective on it.

Today Van Gogh is loved for his passion which clearly is indicative of his work. His sunflower painting is one of the most loved of his flower oil paintings. Other favorite flower paintings by van Gogh are of irises.

Some of his most loved flower paintings include:

Sunflowers, 1888, oil on canvas
One in a series of sunflower oil paintings by Vincent van Gogh. The series show sunflowers in all stages of life, from full bloom to withering. The paintings were considered innovative for their use of the yellow spectrum, partly because newly invented pigments made new colors possible.

Irises, 1889, oil on canvas
This is one of many paintings of irises. Irises was painted while Van Gogh was living at the asylum at Saint Paul-de-Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France. Each one of Van Gogh’s irises is unique. He carefully studied their movements and shapes to create a variety of curved silhouettes bounded by wavy, twisting, and curling lines. The cropped composition, divided into broad areas of vivid color with monumental irises overflowing its borders, was probably influenced by the decorative patterning of Japanese woodblock prints.

Almond Blossom, 1890, oil on canvas
This painting of delicate almond blossom against a clear blue sky is from a group of several paintings of blossoming almond trees. Van Gogh painted this to celebrate the birth of his nephew and namesake, son of his brother Theo and sister-in-law Jo. He chose the branches of an almond tree – a variety that blossoms as early as February in the south of France, where it announces the coming spring. The subject, the bold outlines and the positioning of the tree in the picture plane are borrowed from Japanese printmaking.

Still Life: Red Poppies and Daisies, 1889, oil on canvas
Between the years 1886 and 1890, Vincent van Gogh completed seven different paintings featuring poppy flowers. Van Gogh did not have money to pay models, so still-life painting became more practical.

Still Life: Vase with Pink Roses, 1890, oil on canvas
Van Gogh painted this particular painting shortly before his release from the Saint-Rémy asylum. As the end of his stay in Saint-Rémy and the days ahead in Auvers-sur-Oise neared, Van Gogh conveyed his optimism and enthusiasm by painting flowers. The painting reflects the optimism Van Gogh felt at that time about his future, both in his choice of flowers as a subject and the colors used.

Additional Reading

Flower Paintings For Sale

Flower Art Through The Ages

Flower Paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe, The

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UPDATED: 26 October 2020

October 11, 2015October 26, 2020

Some Things To Consider When Buying Oil Paintings For Your Home

When you are deciding to buy oil paintings for your main residence or vacation home, there are several things you need to keep in mind as you are making your considerations. Not only on the piece of artwork itself, but also the entire home. Such things as the décor that is currently in place and any other types of art that you already have in the home. This will allow you to give thought to all of the oil paintings you are considering and also help you in determining what pieces will match in the space and which options are going to best fit into the space.

Things to keep in mind when deciding which painting to buy for the walls of your home include:

1. The rooms furnishings — The first thing to consider is which room the canvas art will be hung in. If there is very little furniture in the space, choosing an oil painting with brighter and bolder colors will help the room pop and stand out. For a room with heavier amounts of furnishings, something lighter and with a simple or plain design will make for a subtle effect in the space. You must also consider the colors of the walls in the room, in order to ensure things will not clash and that the oil paintings match the space entirely.

2. Subject matter or theme — The next consideration is the subject or theme of the art and paintings. Whether it is something in pastels and lighter colors for a large living or dining room or an expansive landscape style piece for a bedroom or hallway of the home, these are just some of the factors to consider as you are determining what to buy. Of course each home owner will have their own taste and style, but making sure the theme and colors match the surroundings is key when choosing the right oil painting that will fit the space you are attempting to fill with art.

3. Size of the area the artwork will display in — Make sure to measure the spot or area you plan to hang a painting in and take the dimensions with you before heading out to the gallery or artist studio. Once there the gallery attendant will be able to further assist you with the painting selection that just right for the area you intend to display the artwork in. Depending on the size of the room and what other art or pieces of décor are already present in the space, making sure the oil paintings are not too large (or too small for extremely large spaces) has to be determined prior to the purchase. Another tip is marking the walls in the space before making your purchase ensures it will properly fit the space.

4. Type of painting material — A final tip when buying oil paintings for your home is to choose the type of material that best fits the space. Whether you choose art that has been done on canvas or purchase a fine art print of the painting that has been printed on paper will depend on your personal preferences, budget, and the overall look of the piece. This is more of a personal choice and will vary based on the space you are placing the artwork in. Prints will need to be framed under glass and that is another consideration too.

When deciding on oil paintings for your home, you should consider these and any other factors which are important to you personally, in order to ensure you find something you will truly love and something that fits well into the space you are displaying the painting in.

Additional Reading

Other articles that will help in your decision on which painting to purchase are listed below.

5 Tips on Choosing an Oil Painting for Your Home or Office

A Practical Guide To Caring For Your Oil Paintings

Importance of Varnishing Oil Paintings, The

Proper Care of Your Sunset Oil Paintings

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UPDATED: 26 September 2020

October 9, 2015October 29, 2020

A Practical Guide To Caring For Your Oil Paintings

Whether it is a masterpiece by some well-known artist, one of your own creations, a beloved artwork by a friend or relative, your oil paintings will need special care if its beauty and value is to be preserved. Here are a few practical things you can do to make sure your oil painting will last for years.

Keep your painting away from direct sunlight. This means displaying the painting in a low-lit area of your home. If this isn’t feasible, at least make sure your windows are covered with draperies or shades that filter out damaging ultraviolet rays. Other elements you need to protect your paintings from are dust, large swings in room temperature, heat from a radiator, smoke and humidity.

It is a good idea to change a painting’s position now and then. There’s nothing that says a painting or any work of art, for that matter, should stay in the same spot on the wall forever. Switch things around to give yourself a new fresh look at your paintings from time to time.

Never hang your oil paintings over a fireplace or any place where they are exposed to soot or other dirt. For this reason, it is also best not to hang a valued painting in the kitchen where greasy smoke and dirt will collect on it.

The best way to hang a painting is using a wire that stretches from one side of the painting’s stretcher bars to the other side. Then it should be suspended from a hook that is sturdy enough to hold its weight. As a rule of thumb, most art galleries hang their paintings about 60 inches from the floor.

Avoid using halogen lights to highlight an oil painting because the heat from a halogen light can damage the paint by causing it to dry out and become cracked or even flake off. Fluorescent lights are cool and more of them are coming in warmer colors.

Keep your painting away from high humidity if it is on stretch canvas, panel canvas or wood. This is very important because these types of support materials swell when they are wet, then shrink when dry. This movement in the canvas may cause damage to the painting. For best results, keep all oil paintings in a room where the temperature and humidity levels remains consistent at all times. Also, oil paintings should be protected from mold, which is a risk in a house that is damp a good bit of the time or has poor insulation and/or ventilation.

When cleaning the frame, be sure to use a soft paintbrush or compressed air. This will avoid scratching or chipping the wood or finish. Aluminum or lacquered wood frames should only be cleaned with a dry, soft, lint free cloth. Do not spray cleaner on the frame while the painting is being housed in the frame. It is best to remove the painting from the frame before cleaning.

Oil paintings should never be touched with bare hands. If the painting has to be moved, it should be grasped by the sides of the frame using both hands. It should never be held by the top of the frame and especially not by the wire hanger that is on the back. To be especially safe, the mover should take off all jewelry or anything sharp to make sure the painting isn’t scratched. They should also be very careful not to bump the painting. The surface of an old oil painting can crack or scuff if it is bumped.

If the painting needs to be cleaned, it is best to have a professional do that for you. However, if this is not convenient, be sure to use exquisite care when attempting to clean your painting. It is best to use a soft, clean paint brush or duster on the surface of the painting. Do not use a cotton cloth, which can leave damaging lint. It is best to clean from top to bottom.

If your painting is damaged, it is best to call a professional in art restoration and conservation to repair it. Don’t try and do it yourself. You will most likely not be happy with the results.

The front and back of your oil paintings should be checked from time to time to make sure that there are no signs of mold, moth damage, or some other type of damage.

Additional Reading

Other articles that might be useful to read on in regard to this topic are:

Importance of Varnishing Oil Paintings, The

Proper Care of Your Sunset Oil Paintings

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UPDATED: 26 September 2020

December 25, 2014November 1, 2020

Bible Lands Collection

The oil paintings in this series are of ancient Bible places and also modern day Israel. I’ve always wanted to travel and visit these places, to walk the streets of the cities I read about in the Bible and explore the culture of the peoples who live there. Maybe someday.

For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land where you will eat food without scarcity, in which you will not lack anything; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you. — Deuteronomy 8:7-10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

All reference photos used as source material for the paintings in this series is with permission and courtesy of www.BiblePlaces.com — Photos of Israel from the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands.

The Garden Tomb at Sunset
Landscape by Teresa Bernard
12″ x 9″
Oils on stretched canvas

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Still Life with Iron Age Pottery
Still life by Teresa Bernard
14″ x 11″
Oils on stretched canvas

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Sea of Galilee at Capernaum
Landscape by Teresa Bernard
20″ x 16″
Oils on stretched canvas

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The Garden Tomb
Landscape by Teresa Bernard
9″ x 12″
Oils on stretched canvas

This painting is part of my private art collection.

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Other Series & Collections

Adventures In Africa Collection

Christian Art Collection

Life In Texas Collection

Paintings of Sunsets Collection

Peggy’s Cove Collection

Space Art Collection

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UPDATED: 29 July 2016

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