Guides and Advice, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
With regional flooding becoming ever more prevalent across the United Kingdom, the risk it poses to artwork increases. Knowing how to act swiftly when faced with flood-damaged painting is key in ensuring its survival. The geography of flooding is not only limited to riverside properties, but also those in coastal locations, near floodplains, or areas… Read more »
Case Studies, Guides and Advice, Latest News, Textiles, Useful articles
Rugs can sometimes be overlooked when it comes to their value and historical significance. But with the highest selling price for a Persian rug at auction in New York being $33.8m and everyday sales ranging from £3,000-£10,000, they could in some cases be more valuable than the oil paintings or sculptures which surround them. Many… Read more »
Antique Furniture, Guides and Advice, Latest News, Useful articles
To understand how to best look after your furniture, the key is to understand the materials from which it was made. Various types of wood have been used throughout the many design styles of antique furniture, all of which are susceptible to natural decay which can be accelerated by the environment in which they sit.… Read more »
Guides and Advice, Latest News, Specialist Items, Useful articles
At Fine Art Restoration Company, we treat many unusual and eclectic artworks and items. Some of the most intriguing are found in the displays of natural history in antique taxidermy. What is taxidermy? Taxidermy is the term given to natural specimens which have been cleaned and preserved. Their exterior will have been mounted over a… Read more »
Case Studies, Education & Training, Frames, Guides and Advice, Latest News, Useful articles
Our conservators work alongside each other to provide a full restoration offering. Wiktor is our specialist in frame restoration and conservation, ensuring that the original frame is just as well preserved and presentable as the artwork it holds. Wiktor found his way to Fine Art Restoration Company from the Czech Republic. After focusing on art… Read more »
For all of us, 2020 has been an unusual and unpredictable year. Our team at Fine Art Restoration Company has been fortunate to have been working throughout the pandemic, never stopping to bring life back to the artwork which means so much to us as we find ourselves staying at home, where we are appreciating… Read more »
Artwork Analysis, Guides and Advice, Latest News, Useful articles
Artwork is restored for various reasons, whether it is a highly sentimental piece or of great monetary value. Whilst a family portrait or treasured ornament may be restored for personal or historical reasons, an oil painting or sculpture may be restored to maintain and preserve a financial asset, or add value when it goes to… Read more »
Artworks can go into storage for numerous reasons, whether this is short-term or long-term, due to house renovations, security, a change of display or shipping. Due to the high monetary and sentimental value of oil paintings, certain precautions need to be taken to ensure their safety during this precarious time. Although age can affect the… Read more »
Guides and Advice, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
Yes, you can hang oil paintings in sunlight. Unlike works on paper, such as watercolours and prints, oil paintings are far more resilient. However, caution should still be taken when choosing a location for important artworks. Whilst a well-lit room is fine for oil paintings, you should avoid putting them in a place which has… Read more »
Guides and Advice, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
A torn painting may seem like a disaster. Whether there is a dramatic rip tearing through the face of a portrait or the intricate details of a landscape, or a small puncture wound to the canvas, these damages can be flawlessly fixed by a specialist oil painting conservator. When a painting is torn it makes… Read more »
Guides and Advice, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
Oil and acrylic paintings often suffer from a layer of dust forming on their surface. Acrylic paintings especially find this occurs due to thick layers of paint, known as impasto, allowing small crevices for atmospheric debris to fill. Oil paintings may attract dust due to old varnish, this was typically made from tree resin and… Read more »
Guides and Advice, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
Mould can arise on artworks in numerous ways, whether they are oil paintings, acrylic paintings, watercolours or other works on paper. It is more common during the autumn and winter months due to the greater fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Additionally, it can be triggered when there is a reduction in airflow from closed doors… Read more »
Guides and Advice, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
Paintings are varnished to protect the paint layer, reducing the risk of damage, as well as reducing the risk of colours fading. You may feel that your varnished painting needs brightening up, or that it has holes and cracks which require a new layer of paint which you can do yourself at home. However, this… Read more »
When it comes to protecting artworks such as works on paper, works on silk and tapestries from damage, the most effective solution is to add glazing. The quality of glazing used can offer greater protection for the piece and assist in its long-term care. The addition of glass helps to protect artworks from airborne contaminants… Read more »
Contemporary Art, Guides and Advice, Latest News, Murals & Street Art, Useful articles
The restoration and conservation of artwork are essential for a plethora of reasons; from historical documentation, to sentimental value through to wealth management. Often, the necessity for restoration intervention is caused by circumstances that are of great emotional trauma to the owner of the artwork, such as water loss, fire or accidental damage. When cared… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, Latest News, Specialist Items, Useful articles
Modern sensitivities towards the materials used in historic items may sometimes distract from their significance. This is often highlighted in the antique textiles industry with embellishments of real fur or whalebone lining found within corsets. However, the relic of a costume could not be discounted for its use of these elements, as they are important… Read more »
Guides and Advice, Latest News, Specialist Items, Useful articles
The insurance and restoration of memorabilia and collectibles is somewhat overlooked in the art world, even though some pieces match or even surpass the value which traditional antiques receive in an auction. Prices can rise depending on autographs, limited edition status, rarity or close proximity to iconic entertainment and celebrities, such was the case in… Read more »
There are various reasons as to why a painting may appear to be dull. In many cases, oil paintings are simply unvarnished or varnished with a matt varnish. This means that they do not have the same glowing finish and heightened saturation of those with a gloss layer. With more modern or contemporary paintings it is… Read more »
Like all of us, paintings age. And as they get older they begin to get a little worn and in need of a little extra care. Should we help them maintain their youthful good looks for longer or let them age gracefully? There are many reasons why we should look after our artwork, finding a… Read more »
Oil paintings naturally have cracks on their surface, but it is when these are significant, raised or disturbing the artwork itself that they can become problematic for the long term health of the painting. Why is my oil painting cracking? Cracks form for various reasons, whether it be through old age, lack of canvas preparation… Read more »
