Removing damar varnishApproveRejectUn-ApproveSubscribeUn-Unsubscribe
Question asked 2016-11-11 09:59:36 ...
Most recent comment 2016-11-12 22:20:00
Art Conservation Topics
Varnishes
Rigid Supports
Please give your suggestion on how to safely remove damar varnish, light touch up, transfer canvas to aluminum support. Oil painting, 50 x 40", 30 years old
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Moderator Answer
(Kristin deGhetaldi)
This is a great question.....for the clarification of other forum readers can you please first confirm whether this is a painting that you have created yourself?
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Moderator Answer
(Kristin deGhetaldi)
As I recently learned on another forum that this IS in fact a painting that you have made yourself we are happy to provide some information here. First we HIGHLY recommend that you work closely alongside a conservator when moving forward with removing or reducing the dammar varnish. That can be both a wonderful experience for you both you as an artist as well as the conservator as you can both learn a lot from one another. As for touching up...you can decide on your own whether or not you would want the conservator to do this or if you wanted to do this yourself. Totally up to you as this is truly YOUR work of art. As for transferring your painting onto a rigid support, this is ALWAYS risky to do after the fact once the painting has been completed. We do have some information about how to proceed with this in our "Rigid Supports" document but we highly recommend that you work closely with a professionally trained conservator and using a heated vacuum table....too many things can go wrong and if you have devoted a tremendous amount of time to creating the painting it is not worth the risk in trying to do it yourself. Please consult the "Find a Conservator" search engine through the American Institute for Conservation's website (the link is listed below). BE SURE to check whether the conservator has either a degree from a recognized training program or at least holds Professional Associate or Fellow status.....as anyone can join and be a member. This will ensure your painting will fall into good hands. http://www.conservation-us.org/membership/find-a-conservator#.WCYh4uErJE4
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