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Watercolour Restoration
Our paper conservator regularly saves watercolour paintings following acidic discolouration, foxing, disasters and accidents. They can also treat gouache and unique pigments typically found within artworks on paper.
Our conservators can protect and restore watercolour paintings, as well as the graphite, gouache or ink forming part of the composition.
Modern and antique watercolours can be safely treated for a wide range of issues with wonderful results, so even if the damage seems beyond repair it is always worth asking for advice.
What Can We Restore?
- Foxing, stains and discolouration
- Moisture disturbances
- Tears – from small to severe
- Fold lines and creases
- Deteriorating backings
- Ripples and warping
- Water damage, mould growth and tide lines
- Fire and smoke contamination
- Pest or insect damage
- Mount burn, acid damage and frame related issues
Following restoration, our team can provide you with a bespoke portfolio of framing options for ongoing preservation. Watercolour paintings benefit from UV protective glazing as they are sensitive to fading in sunlight. They also require conservation grade mount materials to ensure there is no threat of acidic contamination and staining.
Conservation approach
Our paper conservator is ICON accredited and all techniques conducted in our studio are carefully tested within ethical guidelines before any watercolour restoration takes place. This ensures your artwork is treated as sensitively as possible, ensuring preservation of the original pigments whilst only unoriginal staining and damage is reversed.
How is a watercolour painting cleaned?
After careful testing of the pigments and materials, watercolours are sensitively float washed in a bespoke solution. This scientific process lifts stains such as foxing, yellowing and tide lines, allowing the artwork to regain its visual appeal. This process will also remove any lingering contamination that might have otherwise progressively damaged the paper.
Mould damaged watercolours
Mould growth is an increasing issue for watercolour paintings. Atmospheric issues and water exposure from floods and leaks can lead to a substantial amount of mould growth in a short space of time, due to the porous nature of the paper.
Spores can form on the front or through the back of the artwork, leading to widespread discolouration and alarming levels of lost detail.
In most cases, mould damaged watercolours can be effectively restored. The mould spores can be removed and the surfaces cleaned to stop the spread and save the artwork.
Our team can also clean the framing materials or replace them to ensure the watercolour can return to display in a safe condition.
Bespoke frames and washline mounts
Our team can provide you with a portfolio of new framing options to suit the era of your watercolour painting, from traditional gilt designs to simple and modern styles.
A variety of creative mounts can also be created for your watercolour, including multi-tiered mount boards in various colours and hand crafted washlines from our extensive catalogue of examples. Washlines can be precisely colour matched to your watercolour, allowing for true visual cohesion in a traditional form.
We can also recreate historic washlines and mount details that you may have seen in museums or galleries, or provide a conservation-grade replica of an original mount if it requires removal.
