WhatsApp usWe are happy to assist with any enquiries related to the care of these sensitive drawings. Please fill out the form below and we will reply with a bespoke treatment plan.
Pastel, Chalk & Charcoal Restoration
Pastels, chalks and charcoals are some of the most sensitive artworks we care for. Their fragile pigment which sits on top of the paper, easily falls away due to accidents, old frames or environmental issues. We can assist in stabilising and preserving these precious pieces.
Our conservation team is highly skilled when it comes to the preservation of historic and contemporary pastels, whether they have been disturbed by mould and foxing, or have faced devastating damage from tears, flaking or creasing. Chalk and charcoal drawings can also be stabilised and cleaned with sensitive techniques.
What can we restore?
- Flaking, loss of pigment and disturbances to the surface
- Foxing, staining and discolouration
- Tears and creasing
- Water damage and mould growth
- Fire and smoke damage
- Mount burns and acidic stains
- Frame related damage
Pastel and chalk artworks can be easily damaged by accidentally touching or wiping the pigments. We are happy to review any case, no matter how extreme the damage is, to see how we can save and restore your drawing.
Fragile pigments
Pastels are a very soft medium and their binding agent can sometimes be affected by the environment or by natural decay. This leads to the flaking or dusting away of loosening powdered colours.
Older glass may have a static quality, this can attract the loosening pigments away from the artwork.
If this type of damage occurs, our conservator will always work to re-adhere loose pigments where possible. Losses can be sensitively retouched with conservation-appropriate pigments.
Pastel fixatives
Natural fixing agents were sometimes used from the 19th century onwards, but generally antique pastels, charcoals and chalks have no protective layer.
Today, various options are available for fixing pastels in place, but these are not recommended for an attempt at home. General fixatives can darken and disturb the artwork over time.
Instead, conservation-approved framing options are recommended, along with conservation treatments tailored to the precise needs of each artwork.
Conservation framing for pastel artworks
Our specialist technicians offer frames appropriate for the ongoing protection of artworks, this includes acid-free mounts and backing boards.
A deep mount is required when choosing a frame for chalk, charcoal or pastel artworks. This ensures that the picture is unable to rub against the glass or any surrounding elements.
All protective aspects will be carefully considered by our knowledgeable conservators and framing specialists when your pastel, chalk or charcoal artwork is framed.
UV protection
Our framing team recommend UV protective glazing to avoid the disturbance or fading of pigments in bright display locations. This is important for pastel artworks that may have light-sensitive pigments.
Bespoke mounts and washlines
A variety of creative mounts can also be created for your artwork, either in the form of multi-tiered mount boards in various colours or hand drawn washlines from our extensive catalogue of examples. We can also recreate historic washlines and details that you may have seen in museums or galleries. Colours can be selected from your artwork or chosen to provide the perfect accent.
