Fine Art Restoration

"A 5th generation family Business with 130 year’s experience"

We are experienced in all aspects of Fine Art restoration and conservation,
including Oil Paintings & Sculptures, Water Colours, Temperas and Acrylics.
Whether it is a torn canvas in need of repair and re-stretching or a clean and re-varnish
our aim is to protect and conserve your Artwork by using traditional methods and Acid Free Museum quality materials. We specialise in the conservation and restoration of Fine Art, from Oil Paintings, Watercolours,  Egg Temperas and Acrylics. 

Conservation and Restoration

To conserve and restore a painting takes a great deal of care, time and patience.

Our main priority is to protect the authenticity of the artwork, ensuring that no detail is lost nor altered. 

Each piece of art is unique in every way possible, therefore each painting has its own customised diagnosis and treatment plan according to its needs and condition. We meticulously examine and document each piece of artwork to ensure that we have taken every aspect of it into careful consideration. This is done before any work is carried out.

Depending on the condition of the painting, various different procedures other than a thorough visual examination can be used to examine it. These procedures could entail using ultra violet, infra red and a sterioscopic microscope.

Torn Canvas Repairs

In order to protect and preserve a torn or punctured canvas, we endeavour to re-attach any broken strands of linen back into place. If required, re-stitching of very fine strands of linen are fixed into the damaged area before extra support is added to the rear of the canvas. This is done by securing a linen canvas patch into place. The end goal of the repair is that all of the work carried out is seamless and invisible to the eye.

Cleaning

When cleaning, our primary concern is to protect the authenticity of the painting and bring it back to its former glory, allowing it to be viewed as the original artist intended. Re-establishing the lustre of the original pigments used gives the painting a sense of depth, reinstates perspective and protects the painting for years to come. 

Depending on how a painting has been kept, the cleaning process can vary greatly. Cleaning artwork can be as simple as a light routine maintenance clean and re-varnish, or it can involve more in-depth clean. In-depth cleans are more commonly needed if a painting has been housed in a smokey environment, due to tobacco smoke and/or coal fires.

In more tentative cases, a painting may have been varnished numerous times over the years thus causing a thick layer of old varnish that has oxidised and discoloured. This requires great care to remove safely.

When re-instating paintings with a fresh coat of varnish, we solely use conservation grade non-yellowing varnish.

Re-Lining

Re-lining a canvas takes much care and patience - it is not a procedure that we carry out unless absolutely necessary. It is only required when the canvas is fundamentally weakened by age and circumstantial deterioration.

Re-lining a painting is a way of reinforcing a brittle canvas at risk of flaking and tearing.

This is done by carefully attaching a new canvas to the back of the original painting using only reversible and conservation approved methods. As a result, any loose or flaking paint is stabilised and any tears or punctures are free from the risk of worsening.

Frame Restoration and Re-placement

We can conserve and restore antique frames of any size and style; this could range from repairing severely damaged frames to minor damage such as loose or lost decoration. Re-carving, re-gessoing, re-finishing or re-gilding are amongst the skills that we use too.

Additionally, hand-made frames can be supplied, when required, to suit the era and style of the artwork. These frames are custom made to order using original boxwood moulds and techniques dating back to the Renaissance right up to present day.

A large range of different finishes are available; this could range from 24 carat gold leaf in various different tones, silver leaf, copper and variegated leaf. Moreover, various different tones, finishes and washes can be applied to create a frame that is sympathetic to the style of the artwork.

Condition Reports

A condition report is in essence a detailed and thoroughly documented survey that we carry out on a piece or collection of artwork for either a private collection or the public.

This not only protects the artwork from potential degradation but it is also very useful in financial planning and prioritising artwork which is in need of most care and attention.

Structural Artwork Supports

When a painting or sculpture has suffered harsh conditions or age-related stresses, we are able to construct bespoke stretchers and support frames using sympathetic timbers and materials. This protects and stabilises it for future generations.

At Bëcksitch Fine Art we are committed in preserving the future in all aspects, whether that is a family heirloom or a work of art that is in need of conservation and restoration. We have over five generations of acquired knowledge in fine art conservation and restoration. We take the utmost pride in sharing this priceless knowledge henceforth preserving art and sculpture for generations to come.

To contact us about your framing needs, call us on 07964 159188 & becksitch@gmail.com