PAINTINGS
We work on many different types of paintings of various different sizes, age and mediums; canvas, wood, ivory and metal. Oil, acrylic, watercolour, mixed media. We use the most appropriate methods and techniques to restore and conserve each individual piece. We can take care of your artwork from a light surface clean to complete varnish removal, repairing tears, consolidating cracking, levelling and retouching losses and where appropriate, relining your canvas. Our space at the London studio benefits from an incredible amount of natural light to work under, we are also equipped with a fantastic vacuum table which allows us to carry out careful and gentle relining. Please do get in touch if you would like to talk about the restoration and conservation of your artwork
Christ as the Man of Sorrows, oil on panel Before & After Restoration
This 16th Century Flemish painting has been cleaned and the old varnish removed to reveal it’s true colours underneath, the gold background has cleaned up beautifully and the details and colours in his skin and clothing are now more visible and how they were intended to be seen.
The panel had a split through the right side, which you can see in the photo.
This has now been consolidated, then filled and retouched to match the original paint work.
This is a good example of how we can repair splits in wooden panels.
Contemporary Paintings
Often with contemporary paintings we have many different types of paints and surfaces where theyre not entirely compatible. Cracking due to poor adhesion is very common, particularly with acrylics. This acrylic of canvas came in with this problem and also a large dent in the corner of the canvas.
We removed the cracking and dent with a humidity treatment and flattening, we also consolidated the whole surface from the back to help with the adhesion between the paint and the canvas.
Portrait of a Great Grandmother, oil on canvas
This family portrait arrived with very dirty, yellowing varnish and held a fair bit of mould too. The face was very torn as well as many other areas with tears and holes.
The surface has been cleaned, with the varnish removed and we also treated the canvas for mould. The tears have been adhered together with bridges on the back (using small threads). The larger holes were filled with new pieces of canvas.
The repairs were then levelled with gesso and retouched on the front
A protective coat of satin/gloss varnish has then been applied.
Katsumi Nakai Project
We were absolutely delighted to receive this project. A superbly wonderful collection of artworks by Japanese artist Katsumi Nakai. They arrived in 4 large crates from Japan and we spent a good few months cleaning and preparing these for what was a fantastic show at Frieze Art Fair and can continue to be enjoyed after their conservation treatments.
The work is a delightfully inspiring collection of colour and playful dimension and varied from small macket type artworks to very large sculptural paintings and canvas’.
Dutch River Scene, oil on board with an antique frame.
This painting has been carefully cleaned and the varnish removed. There was a fair amount of cracking throughout the painting, which has been delicately levelled and retouched. This was finished off with a protective layer of satin varnish.
The frame has also had a very light clean, removing the surface dirt while conserving the beauty of its antique patina