Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles, Watercolour, Works On Paper
Dating back hundreds of years, gouache is often seen as a more opaque alternative to watercolours. The thicker density allows for a bright and robust appearance, leading artists to infuse all manner of compositions with white gouache highlights, as well as creating work with gouache as the primary medium. Above: a selection of artwork from… Read more »
Guides and Advice, Latest News, Useful articles, Watercolour, Works On Paper
Watercolour paintings are one of the most frequent genres of art to visit our studio. Their materials and display location are often the cause of this, with many antique and modern pieces succumbing to moisture, foxing and discolouration over a long period of time. But what can be done to prevent these issues? And how… Read more »
Guides and Advice, Latest News, Useful articles, Watercolour, Works On Paper
Botanical illustrations recording natural history are a popular and important art form, with original plates and reprints of historic watercolours used for both scientific and decorative purposes. These works on paper can often be fragile due to their medium and age, requiring specific atmospheric conditions, specialist framing and professional conservation treatments to ensure their longevity. … Read more »
Guides and Advice, Latest News, Useful articles, Watercolour, Works On Paper
What are those brown spots on your watercolour or print? They are commonly referred to as ‘foxing’ patches on the paper, a reaction with moisture caused by mould spores. They may begin as a small and easily ignored blemish, but in time they will only spread and become worse now that they are present. Foxing… Read more »
Case Studies, Guides and Advice, Useful articles, Watercolour
When a watercolour has foxing, looking back at the before and after photographs is always fascinating to see the difference we’ve achieved from the restoration. Even when a watercolour is completely covered in marks, there is always something that can be done. You’d be forgiven for thinking when you see the before photos below that… Read more »
Case Studies, Guides and Advice, Useful articles, Watercolour
Alongside foxing and tears, acid-staining is another very common issue for works-on-paper. The problem stems from when acidic and inappropriate backing materials have been used by the artist or framer, and subsequently, pollutants have leached out into the artwork. Unsuitable materials will have been used for paintings of a certain age when the effects of… Read more »
Guides and Advice, Useful articles, Watercolour, Works On Paper
It is always a fascinating source of interest for our clients and art collectors to see how we repair watercolours and works-on-paper. It is understandable to assume there is little or nothing that can be done to fix such fragile items. Although these are naturally delicate items, repairs are still possible and very successful. So… Read more »
Guides and Advice, Useful articles, Watercolour, Works On Paper
If you’ve ever wondered if there is anything that can be done to restore watercolours and works-on-paper, you certainly aren’t alone. It is an understandable concern to wonder whether these artworks are too fragile and thin to have work undertaken on them, but with the right care and appropriate treatments, works-on-paper can be restored just… Read more »
Silverfish are a common pest capable of damaging paper artworks and documents. They can frequently be found in households around the United Kingdom. Above: paper which has been partially eaten by pests Learn more about silverfish from our ICON accredited paper conservator, including the ways in which this type of damage can be prevented and… Read more »
Frames, Latest News, Useful articles, Watercolour, Works On Paper
Some frames may cause damage to the paper they should be protecting, whether this is a watercolour, print, photograph or document. Frame damage is caused by high levels of acidity found in mounts, backing boards and adhesives, causing discolouration and deterioration. This may be found in cheaper frames or older ones which may have been… Read more »
A watercolour painting is one of the most sensitive genres of artwork, these delicate landscapes and portraits require professional conservation treatments following damage to ensure their safety. Above: a watercolour before and after restoration due to foxing and acidic discolouration Watercolours can face drastic deterioration from humidity levels, sunlight exposure, accidents and household disasters such… Read more »
Watercolours can be sensitively washed to remove contaminants from acidic framing, mould and foxing. Find out more in our video below, where our ICON accredited paper conservator shows you the process of washing and drying a delicate work on paper: Get in touch with our team If you have any concerns about a paper artwork… Read more »
If you are a collector of watercolour paintings or works on paper, you may be familiar with the appearance of reddish brown spots on your painting, commonly known as ‘foxing’. These rusty looking patches can mar the appeal of your painting, and if left untreated can cause serious damage to an already delicate artwork. At… Read more »
How to remove mould from a watercolour Ideally, mould on your painting should be caught early to avoid spreading. Initial indications of mould can be identified in the appearance of a fine white fluff which forms furry patches which can spread quickly, becoming increasingly problematic for your watercolour. Mould thrives in damp conditions and recommendations… Read more »
Despite extensive damages, art on paper restoration and conservation can significantly improve the aesthetic and structural integrity of your watercolour and treatment can be carried out by trained professionals. How to clean your watercolour Accidents do happen and may result in stains on your watercolour. Maintaining a clean environment and reducing risks of spillage is… Read more »
Watercolour paintings are one of the most sensitive forms of art, they can be disturbed easily by their environment as well as accidental tears and creases. There are many steps you can take to ensure the protection of your watercolour going forwards, including choosing the correct framing materials and arranging for appropriate conservation treatments to… Read more »
Like many works on paper, watercolours are very sensitive to a multitude of environmental changes and accidental damages. Due to their delicate materials, watercolour paintings require specialist care when it comes to their preservation, whether they require a full restoration or protective framing. This article will cover some of the most frequent reasons for watercolour… Read more »
