Loose canvas distortions, paint loss and scratches are common results of paintings that have been subjected to smoke, age and mistreatment. But these are all correctable problems. The painting in this photo has discolored grimy varnish that is partially cleaned away revealing the original colors. Remember, cleaning is an aesthetic option. Not a preservation requirement, [...]
Neil Cavuto thinks that an expert can predict an earthquake, for the first time, and in the article link at the end of this article, he lays out the reasons. Washington and Oregon is being warned of a 9.0… but all of California is part of the “Ring of Fire.” What can you do to [...]
The Japanese Earthquake today makes our blood run cold for the devastation… but what does this earthquake news teach us about our potential for a “situation” where we live? This article addresses a niche expertise that you will NOT FIND ANYWHERE ELSE and is of extreme importance. Keep in mind as you read this article [...]
The varnish is discolored from grime and smoke as well from aging. When varnish yellows the original colors become muted and sometimes you may loose depth, whites turn yellow or brown, crisp blues turn a muddy green and purples turn brown. You can see that you loose contrast and depth of field. By cleaning a [...]
The stains seen on this engraving are from mold that grew on the paper after it got went during Hurricane Katrina. Although the mold is dry and dead the stains from infestation are very disfiguring and will darken with time. The darker the mold stains that develop are the harder they are to remove. Four [...]
Watercolors are a very sensitive delicate type of artwork and special precautions need to be taken. Some of the common problems with watercolors are the following: 1. Extensive fading is common. Use UV filtering glass (or Plexiglass) and hang them in low light locations. 2. Do not let them get wet as acids will migrate [...]
We are often asked why cracks and ridges in the paint form around the perimeter of the oil or acrylic painting on canvas as you can see in the photograph. The crack is usually located between two to three inches in from the painting and corresponds to the inside edge of the stretcher bars (strainer [...]
The bull’s eye cracking pattern in this photograph is typical of oil and acrylic paintings that get hit, poked, leaned on, punctured or ripped. The cracking pattern does not show up immediately. So when this painting was hit the owner probably looked at he point of impact and thought there was no problem because no [...]
This Barbizon picture is typical of paintings from the end of the 1800s: canvas brittle usually very cracked. This painting had a large piece broken out of the painting from being hit by a child’s toy. Normally this would have only caused a dent but because of the poor quality materials more extensive damage occurred. [...]
