PAPER
Paper conservation can cover so many different areas. Prints, watercolours, drawings and engravings can be gently cleaned to remove any discolouration, watermarks and foxing. Warped paper can be flattened and tears repaired. We can also infill losses with conservation paper to match the original. Old backings and mounts are often acidic, which can be damaging to the artwork, resulting in staining and sometimes deterioration. We can remove artwork from their backing and depending on the medium and solubility, we can remove the acidity from the paper which prevents any further staining and will conserve the artwork for the future.
We can also restore your family photographs, carrying out repairs by hand, gently cleaning, repairing tears and retouching losses if you are in need of some old memories to have a little tlc.
Restoration of a self portrait by L.S Lowry, pencil on paper
This was a wonderful project for us. The portrait had been framed to show only a small part of the image and had very dark acidic marks from the opening mount and backing. The paper had been folded over around the back so the lower right part of the sketch was hidden along with the signature and date.
The cleaning process was very gentle and gradual process, removing the acid from the artwork while ensuring not to alter the strength and colour of the paper. The tear was also repaired
Here is the artwork after treatment, such an amazing result.
The artwork is being framed to show the whole sketch with the signature and date now visible
Portrait of a Young Girl, Charcoal Drawing on Paper
Here is an example of an artwork with foxing (the small brown spots caused by the aging and deterioration of the paper)
After removing the acidic mount, which had been stuck with a very large amount of glue, the artwork has been treated very gently in a bath where we have successfully removed the foxing. Wonderfully, we have uncovered an original signature which sits on the top right of the artwork which is always an exciting outcome at the studio.
Beer Street by William Hogarth, original engraving on paper
A large collection of William Hogarth’s engravings came in with acidity in the paper, foxing and heavy watermarks.
These were gently cleaned and treated ready to be hung at an exhibition with Eames Fine Art Gallery in Bermondsey
Restoration of a 1920’s Monopoly Set
Every now and then we will take on the unusual. This 1920’s monopoly set had great sentimental value. We repaired all the different parts, the box, the board, money and insructions.
The torn instructions were fixed them back together, the board was cleaned and loose parts adhered back down to the surface. The box had a lot of old tape which we removed and a new side was added and colour matched to the original. The money which was my personal favourite; we cleaned, repaired and losses were stabilised with japanese paper. The owner was very happy to be able to use this again in good condition and hopefully will be enjoyed for many years to come.
Removing the backing from an old treasured family photograph in preperation for a tear repair