Cleaning
Over time, oil paintings collect all manner of pollutants from the air which combine with aged varnish to reduce the clarity and colour intensity. We test a small area to establish which chemicals can gently lift the most dirt without affecting the underlying paint.
Repair
We can repair structural damage on most kinds of supports including canvas, wood, metal, board and ivory. Holes can be repaired from the back using a linen or canvas patch. Larger damage, or weak canvases, are re-lined with new canvas, carefully applied with removeable adhesive or wax-resin mix.
Retouching
If damage leaves an area bare our restorer will retouch with oil paint to ensure a seamless repair.
The restoration process in this painting:
Damage to picture:
- Brittle Canvas, crinkled and weak with age.
- Paint flaking from the surface.
- Old varnish yellowing and dull
Restoration process:
- Removing the old varnish coats
- Cleaning existing oil paint on the canvas surface
- Strengthening the canvas with a new canvas support to the back
- Re-touching with artist’s oil paint
- Stretching the canvas onto the old wooden stretcher
- Applying two coats of artist’s varnish
Before | After |
Halfway through cleaning the difference is marked | This canvas has been re-lined before the holes are filled and textured before retouching |