COVID 19 LOCKDOWN - WE ARE STILL OPEN - CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE
At the beginning of 2021, our team visited Westonbirt School in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. The restoration of a wonderfully detailed Victorian mural had been in their plans since 2018, but numerous delays (including COVID-19) had allowed the water damage to develop further. This article tells the story of how our team restored the beautiful ceiling, as… Read more »
Monica came to Fine Art Restoration Company after completing her master’s degree in Easel Painting Conservation at Northumbria University and is now a central part of our conservation team in Carlisle. Moving to England from Australia to pursue her studies in conservation and start her career as a conservator, Monica had previously combined the subjects… Read more »
The history of cartography is the history of human exploration, making sense of the world in pursuit of science and political boundaries. Geography also plays a part in artistic or personal endeavours, in the creation of satirical or creative map-making, or the recording of family history. Early cartography dates back to ancient civilizations. One of… Read more »
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 »
For 25 years, Neville Ferris drove the length and breadth of the country, collecting something so unique that it gained him recognition in an ever-growing, dedicated community. This labour of love allowed him to meet and befriend legends amongst those who shared his passion, whilst creating a piece of impressive memorabilia which celebrated hundreds of… Read more »
This bright Venetian scene is a copy after Canaletto, who originally produced the oil painting during the 1730s as part of twelve views of the Grand Canal. ‘The Grand Canal looking East from the Carità towards the Bacino’ by Canaletto was first connected to Joseph Smith, a prolific patron of the artist before it was… Read more »
Case Studies, Guides and advice, Latest News, 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 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 »
The artwork which we collect and the artwork which we receive over the course of our lives can hold precious memories and uphold the story of our family. When these paintings, ornaments and special objects become broken or begin to perish, we could find ourselves on the brink of losing them as a personal artefact.… 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 »
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 your treasured pieces. Whilst a well-lit room is okay for oil paintings, you should avoid putting them in a place which… Read more »
A torn painting can 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 »
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 »
Our paintings conservator Aleksandra is our most recent team member, moving from Poland to join us in our Carlisle studio. After completing six years of studies in conservation, her dedication to restoration created a path for her to work in her dream role at Fine Art Restoration Company. Aleksandra spoke to us about how she… Read more »
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 »
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 »
