Do we restore only oil paintings?

Yes. We only work on oil paintings on any supporting material, (e.g. canvas, board, wooden panel, metal panel), from all periods, (e.g. Old Masters through to Modern), and at all levels of difficulty from a simple clean through to complex projects. As specialists, we do not restore watercolours but can refer clients to specialist colleagues.

 

How much will the work cost?

This depends on the amount of work involved. We have to see the painting in order to assess the work, and are happy to give a No-Obligation quote. All our work is of the highest quality, minimal intervention and therefore represents good value for money.

 

What is cleaning?

Most people have an idea of what this is about e.g. removing yellowing varnish and dirt, but many are surprised at the results! For example, a nude over-painted with a dress for modesty during Victorian times, and signatures can be revealed under surface dirt. This work requires the greatest care and skill if the painting is not to be over-cleaned. Unfortunately, we have see many examples of past damage due to over-cleaning.

 

What is structural work?

This involves the conservation and restoration of the painting’s supporting material. i.e. the canvas, panel, board etc. In some cases this can have deteriorated due to, for example, damp or dry environments, or impact damage. We can repair a canvas that has become too weak to hold the paint on its original plane, or has been torn. These can be held with a supporting canvas and the process is called lining. A split panel can be repaired, or a warped panel straightened. Paint that has become loose and flaking can be consolidated or reattached.

 

Do you re-paint?

NO... In essence we retouch the painting only where paint is missing or worn, avoiding interfering with the original work of the artist. Retouching is painstaking and time-consuming, using fine sable brushes, working on small areas at a time, ensuring a perfect colour mix and matching the artist’s original brush strokes. We follow the ethical restoration standards of minimal intervention and reversibility.

 

What is reversibility?

Anything that we apply to the painting can be safely removed by future restorers if required.

 

Do you work out on site?

Normally the majority of our work takes place in our Studios where we have all the facilities available (including good light!) However, we can work out on site where necessary.

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