Restoration of Oil Painting by Restorer Alan Brown
Oil Painting restoration involves various treatments to enhance the aesthetics of a painting. These treatments include removing surface dirt, replacing aged varnish, fixing missing sections, and repairing damage like tears and holes. Competent restorers use reversible techniques and only retouch specific areas if necessary.
To understand painting restoration, it’s important to know about the process of creating an oil painting. Oil painting involves binding ground pigment with oils like linseed or poppy. It allows artists to achieve depth, color, and tone easily. Different supports, such as wood, metal, paper, cardboard, composition board, and canvas, provide stability for the paint to adhere to. Canvas became popular due to its size potential and textural weave. The layers of an oil painting consist of canvas, primer, the painting itself, and varnish. The longevity of a painting depends on the medium and application technique used.
There are disadvantages to oil painting. Certain minerals used experimentally may cause deterioration. Bitumastic and chrome yellow are examples of materials that can lead to damage and fading. However, oil paintings generally age better than water-based paintings.
Deciding whether to restore a painting is a personal choice. Restorers aim to prevent the destruction of a painting for as long as possible, but the decision ultimately lies with the owner. Restoring a painting can reverse the effects of aging or neglect, allowing future generations to enjoy it. Arguments exist regarding the extent to which artwork should be restored, as restoration may alter the artwork’s history.
Signs that a painting may need restoration include surface dirt, discolored varnish, cracks, and damage caused by aging or environmental factors. Restoration involves cleaning, treating, applying new varnish, and carefully touching up missing pigments. The skill of a restorer lies in their understanding of restoration techniques, artistic media, and the proper use of solvents and chemicals.
Conservation involves preventing deterioration, while restoration focuses on returning a painting to its original condition. Museums conduct extensive research and provide optimal conditions for paintings. Privately owned paintings often receive conservation and restoration services from commercial studios.
The Original Artwork Store
4a Graham Road, Malvern
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Alan did an excellent job of restoring a family heirloom oil painting. We were very pleased with the result - well worth the wait for such diligent care and attention on the restoration.
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Alan's services are in demand so we had to wait until he was able to begin on our19th century oil painting. The painting had a lot of overpainting so was cracked and paint was flaking off. The ornate frame was also missing large chunks. Alan removed the overpainting, stabilised the canvas and renovated the frame. We are delighted with the restoration work and would highly recommend his services.
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I am so impressed with the way Alan has restored my painting. It had been mistreated for many years and had some bad scuff marks and water damage. Alan removed the old varnish, removed the badly done over-painting, filled and touched up where needed and re-varnished. He also sensitively restored the frame. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend his services.
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I needed an oil painting of a seascape and I successfully bid for one on line. When I received the painting I was disappointed with its condition so I took it to Alan Brown for restoration and re-framing. I was delighted with the result, the colours were again vibrant and the frame he chose added a new dimension to the painting.
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We are absolutely delighted with Alan’s restoration of our large portrait and original old frame which needed a great deal of work. It has been done with expertise and sensitivity and looks amazing. We would thoroughly recommend Alan and it was definitely well worth staying on the waiting list. Thank you Alan both for your work and care and also for your interest in our inherited painting and its likely history. Margaret and Andy
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Alan has beautifully restored our early 19th century oil painting. I had been very apprehensive about entrusting the painting to anyone; it has been in the family for many decades and is of great sentimental value, but it clearly needed some care and attention. After some research on the internet, I found Alan. He was able to remove layers of dirt, varnish and over-painting to reveal the original work in all its beauty. He also stabilised the canvas, which was very fragile, and repaired the frame. He has a long waiting list, but quality is worth the wait. Highly recommended.
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Alan has just cleaned an oil painting that has great sentimental value to me. He managed to fit the work into his busy schedule and has done an amazing job. The picture has been truly brought back to life and has been re-stretched nicely into its frame. Can't recommend Alan's work highly enough. I am delighted.
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Alan has just finished cleaning and restoring a cherished early 19th century oil painting for us , taking the care and trouble to fix "bubbling" where the paper had lifted from the backing board and removing overpainting from an earlier "restoration". Not only has he beautifully restored and brought life back to the painting, he also cleaned the original frame, toning the surface down so that it doesn't look glaringly new. The whole is a total transformation and we are delighted with the result.
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Alan did a great job in restoring a much loved painting and frame following an accident, invisibly repairing missing paint and consolidating loose areas. The frame looks better than ever. Would thoroughly recommend.
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My Grandfather's portrait fell off the wall and got damaged. I have collected the painting today and it looks superb. Better than I could have imagined and the frame is complete again and golden. really pleased with this service. Very happy to recommend.
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A family painting from 1956 needed lots of TBC following years of neglect. Alan's work in restoring the painting has brought it back to life and is just fantastic. Delivery, payment and collection during covid-19 was effortless. Definitely recommended. Many thanks.
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I took in an old family painting with a rip in the canvass and looking rather sad. Collected it today and was amazed at how much Alan had achieved. No tear and much more vibrant, much as I remember as a child.
Looking forward to many more years of admiring the painting on the wall.
Well worth the time spent on it, thanks. -
Excellent Work! Alan reframed a piece I had purchased, giving it a modern frame and replacing the broken glass. It looks exactly how I imagined it to look, and I would 100% recommend. Also very well packaged and fast shipping! Thank you very much.
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Thank you Mr Brown for your hard work. We are now able to enjoy the 6 paintings, that you have restored, as they should be. I never thought that anyone could do what you have, they are a joy to look at. I cannot praise your work highly enough. Anyone looking for a top quality restorer need look no further that you. I came to you through your online reviews and am so pleased that I did, they are spot on. -
Thank you Alan for your work in cleaning my 2 pictures and tidying up the degraded varnish.
We have them hanging again where they can be enjoyed.
Mary Green -
Alan has framed over 10 paintings of mine, and I am very pleased with the quality of work he has carried out.
Further information on Oil Painting Restoration by Restorer Alan Brown
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