My acrylic and oil paintings are painted on canvas that are secured to a wooden stretcher frame (or strainer). The support material normally has one or more “preparation” layers applied to its surface before the various paint layers are applied. 
 
Here are a few things you can do to avoid or reduce some types of damage to a painting.
 

• The best type of light for your painting is indirect sunlight, recessed lighting, and halogen lights (not ultraviolet)

• Try to display your paintings in a place where the relative humidity and temperature levels are fairly constant, not very high (above 60%) or low (below 40%),

• Keep the artwork away from direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can cause fading of certain pigments, increasing yellowing of varnish and excessive heat on the painting surface.

• It is not advisable to place the artwork above a heat source such as fireplaces. In addition to the damage caused by radiating heat, dirt that rises  with the heat may cause damage.

• Ultraviolet light should be kept away from the paintings as fugitive dyes and colorants used in paints will eventually discolor under exposure to this type of light. 

• Avoid hanging paintings in a moist environment such as a room which has a bath or shower. Rapid environmental fluctuations will be harmful to the paintings

• A painting can be safely dusted using a clean, soft natural artists brush. The painting should be held in an upright forward angle so the dust falls away from the painting.

• Never use dry or moist dust cloths, stiff bristle brushes or feather dusters to clean a painting as threads can catch on areas of raised paint and dusters can scratch the painting.

• Never use a liquid or commercial cleaner on a painting. Avoid spraying any fresheners, polish etc directly onto a painting

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Handling and Moving

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Handling is a major cause of damage to artworks. Before handling a painting, check it can be moved safely, without damage. Each handling increases the chance of accident, and moving a painting to a new location can have detrimental effects due to a change in environment. Paintings are especially susceptible to cracking when they are in a dry environment (for example, in a dry attic or in a heated household in winter) or when exposed to cold air. Do not transport a painting in an unheated vehicle in cold weather. It is best to transport a painting when the temperature and relative humidity are likely to be more moderate.

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When it becomes necessary to handle or move a painting, avoid touching the paint surface or the back of the canvas. Do not apply any kind of pressure (even finger pressure) to the back of a canvas -- cracks in the paint will likely develop after a time. Regardless of when or by whom a painting is transported, the painting’s wrapping or package should be: 

• moisture and water resistant;

• wrapped and sealed in such a way to guard against changes in relative humidity; puncture and dent resistant, both front and back;

• cushioned against possible shock from bumps or drops during handling and transport; and insulated against cold or extreme heat and against quick changes in temperature.