The Conservation and Restoration of Paintings

This is a comprehensive guidebook to the fascinating aspects of the conservation and restoration of paintings. It explains clearly what happens in dealing with the confusing and multilayered problems encountered.
The author discusses basic techniques, materials used in both the original paintings and in restoration, chemical formulas, the equipment and methods of handling and storage; he shows how many common pitfalls can be avoided, and offers other tips based on 30 years of experience.
There are chapters on the Restorer and the Studio; Construction of Paintings; Technique of Painting; Renovation and Repair; and a bibliography, glossary and index. Eleven line drawings illustrate restoration techniques and the assembly of components.

John Clifton lives in Rudgwick, West Sussex, England. His watercolors and oils of marine subjects can be found on the east and west coasts of the United States and in England.

John Clifton
Format: softcover (5.5 x 8.5)
Pages: 157
Bibliographic Info: 11 illustrations, glossary, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2012 [1988]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7381-6
Imprint: McFarland

Preface      v

1. The Restorer’s Profession      1

The Restorer      1

Ethics in Restoration      2

Documentation      3

TheRestorer’s Studio      4

Tools      5

Storage      6

2. Construction of Paintings      7

Support      7

Wooden Support      9

Paper Support      9

Composition Board      10

Fabric      11

Metal Support      12

Ground      12

Surface Coatings      13

Varnish      13

Synthetic Varnish      15

Retouch Varnish      15

Wax Coating      15

Stretcher      16

Frames      16

3. Technique of Painting      18

Watercolor      21

Gouache      22

Tempera      22

Egg Tempera      23

Glair      24

Egg Varnish      24

Synthetic Paints      24

Oil Paints      25

Encazlstic Paints      27

Painting Medium      27

Gesso      27

Starch Solution      27

Synthetic Resin Emulsion      28

Encaustic with Beeswax      28

Egg Emulsion      28

Pastels      28

Damar Varnish      28

Mastic Varnish      29

Copal Medium      29

Wax      29

Glaze      29

Oil Media      30

Mixed Media      31

Varnish      31

Lacquer      32

Driers and Siccatives 3      3

Fixatives      33

Ink      33

Painting Textures      34

4. Repair and Renovation      35

Examination      35

Damage Assessment      37

Frames      38

Stretcher      38

Support: Canvas      39

Support: Wood Panels      40

Support: Paper      40

Surface Deterioration Repair      43

Materials      43

Frames      54

Stretchers      55

Support: Canvas      59

Support: Wood Panels      81

Support: Paper      84

Support: Cardboard      85

Support: Metal      86

Ground      87

Repair of Surface Damage      89

Renovation      97

Surface      97

Frames      112

Inpainting      113

Protection of Paintings      116

Health Hazards      117

Glossary      119

Bibliography      143

Index      145