Please see other illustrations of our work in the ‘Examples of our work’ sections on the main menu.
The Steps In Restoring A Painting
Below we have broken the restoration process into 6 major steps. However, every work is different and the amount of work required for each step will therefore vary.
We price all our jobs ‘purely’ on the time taken. However, the value of the painting is important as an expensive painting restored poorly reduces the value, so an important major work will of course have more care, time and attention lavished on it and as a result will cost more to restore.
Time costs money- however, we cannot make it go faster as certain processes, such as allowing the paint time to dry sufficiently before varnishing, are totally beyond our control.
Trust us when we give you a time to complete the work!
We pride ourselves on our efficiency and always do our best to meet Gallery Exhibition commitments – however unrealistic time presures can often backfire!
Step 1 – The Test Clean
We use an ‘Ultra Violet Light’ scan which generally shows up any previous restoration.
Once satisfied, we then ‘Spot Clean’ in several places using a cotton bud, gradually increasing the strength of solvents to carefully remove the varnish and determine what lies beneath! This is the first time we can truly know what work is required to complete the restoration.
This painting sold by an American Museum and attributed to Thomas Gainsborough was bought by a leading fine art dealer who suspected that the original painting had been heavily over restored. He believed that it did not appear to be in his characteristic style, creating the suspicion that a previous restorer had done more than just a re-touch – the equivalent of an early version of cosmetic surgery!
Step 2 – Client Consultation
We always contact the client at this stage! This is now so much easier with digital photography, allowing us to keep the client fully informed at every stage – whatever did we do before the digital revolution?
The images above clearly show a significant amount of over-painting – particuarly on the face – by a previous restoration which was not apparent until the test clean!
We contacted the client to discuss the way forward and after detailed discussions it was decided to “reveal and restore the original Gainsborough painting”.
Loose and rippled canvas painting restoration
Over time a canvas may lose tension, leading to a weakened painting surface vulnerable to damage. Paintings that have lost tension or have no stretcher bars at all will be at much higher risk of cracking, flaking, paint loss, and distortion from ripples and warping.
Above: 19th century painting by Frederick Arthur Bridgman before restoration
In our conservation studio, our professional team often receive artworks in need of re-tensioning, as well as those in need of new stretcher bars or an entirely new lining. All of these treatments will thoroughly improve the stability of a painting, which can then have further issues addressed for safe preservation.
Restoration to prevent further damage
To prevent further damage and to restore areas that have weakened or distorted, our conservators consolidate the paint layer with gentle heat, weight and moisture treatments. A cracking surface can be stabilised with the light application of heat or small injections under the surface to provide further adherence to the surface of the canvas. Any missing areas of paint can have original fragments reapplied or be retouched with precise conservation-appropriate pigments. The completed restoration will allow your artwork to return to display with confidence that all areas have been protected from continued deterioration.
Having a loose canvas tensioned onto stretcher bars will prevent:
- Torn canvas
- Ripples and folds
- Cracking paint layer
- Flaking paint
- Paint loss
- Severe deterioration
It will also allow your painting to go back on display in its very best condition without fear of future damage. If you are considering transporting or storing the artwork, it should be put onto a stretcher and professionally framed to add further protection.
Canvas paintings should never be folded, rolled or bent in any way, as this may cause severe damage to the paint layer such as cracking, flaking and visual disturbances.
Clever Tips on How to Repair a Damaged Canvas Painting Easily
Canvas painting repair can help you restore a damaged artwork. While minor damages can be repaired easily, you can consult a professional for getting any major damages repaired. Here’s more about the same.
Home / Uncategorized / Clever Tips on How to Repair a Damaged Canvas Painting Easily
Canvas painting repair can help you restore a damaged artwork. While minor damages can be repaired easily, you can consult a professional for getting any major damages repaired. Here’s more about the same…
Like any other thing, a canvas painting can get damaged after a few years. A painting is valuable not only for the artist who painted those unique strokes but also for the one who treasured it. These paintings can lose their vibrancy over a period of time and any physical condition might also damage it. Dust commonly gets collected on its surface. Sometimes the chemicals used while making the frame and those in the colors can also lead to changes in a painting’s look. So, how to repair a painting is a commonly asked question. Here’s what you can do to clean a dull and discolored painting and repair a torn canvas art work. Yes, you can have the canvas painting repair done by yourself with a bit of know-how and get its original look back.
Cleaning the Canvas
Many a time, especially in case of old paintings you will find that the painting is covered with a coat of varnish. This was commonly used to impart shine to the painting and form a protective layer over the paint. But this varnish reacts differently to the environmental conditions than the paint and it might end up cracking, or become yellowish. If the painting is in good condition except for the damaged varnish, the following procedure can help restore it.
You can get a conservation liquid which is a mild solvent available in art supply stores. Some of the solvents might end up cleaning the varnish as well as the paint colors on canvas. So do a spot test by taking the emulsion on a cotton ball and gently rubbing it on a corner of the painted area. If it is not disturbing the color, you can proceed, else check out another brand. Make sure you work in a ventilated area. For cleaning the painting that has dust, smoke, etc. build up, you just need a soft bristle toothbrush or a new shaving brush. Well, this was about cleaning the surface dirt and discoloration, but what if there’s a hole or tear? Here’s how…
Tears and Holes in Canvas
While you look at a torn painting in your home, do you wonder about whether it can ever be fixed? Well, don’t worry, you can restore it. Yes, by following the undermentioned procedure, you can restore your favorite artwork.
Apply a patch of new canvas from the back side of the painting to cover the tear. Do this by using adhesives like beeswax which is easily available in art supplies stores or hobby stores. Make sure that the patch placed behind the tear or hole is slightly larger from all sides. Have a look from the front side, if you see extra adhesive coming out from the tear gap, just remove it using a toothpick. If it’s dried, remove it using turpentine. Now just cover the damaged area from the front side with a natural pigment. This is also available in art supplies stores.
If the gap between the original canvas tear and backing canvas is larger, you just need to fill it up. Prepare a mixture of gelatin dissolved in warm water. Now add chalk to gelatin until a mixture of paste consistency is formed. You will be using it to fill the hole or tear and then leave it for drying. Once dried, finish the procedure by painting this surface in matching paint color.
You can get the repair done from a professional. This will ensure that your painting is restored in the best way without any damages. Moreover, even if you have done framing, many professionals provide maintenance services of framed pieces, which you can opt for.
