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The restoration of an oil painting is a job for professionals. This might seem an obvious point to make but it is surprising how often it is challenged. An enthusiastic would-be restorer will argue that there are books available for guidance and tips. They might also declare that: 'I'm only removing the dirt to make the painting look better'.

The response to this is yes, all you may think you need to do is remove the grime from a painting's surface, but can you really be confident about the type of cleaner to use for a painting of this particular age, by this particular artist, without defacing it? And what do you do if you begin work and discover that beneath the dirt are signs of damage?

All of this sounds rather off-putting, but it is not meant to dampen someone's genuine passion to renovate a favourite painting. There is nothing wrong in wanting a picture to resemble the canvas the artist originally unveiled to the public. The art of restoration is accepted by critics and art lovers as a necessary means of fully appreciating what the artist wanted us to see.

However, the restoration process is complex. It begins not just by cleaning a painting, but by assessing any damage and establishing what previous restoration work has taken place. The older the painting, the more likely it has been renovated in the past.

Nowadays, restorers often begin their work by studying the surface of a painting with an infrared scope. This helps to identify earlier restoration work and possible damage to the canvas. They may also shine a bright light through the canvas from the back to enable them to spot any areas where someone may have painted over the original.

"Overpainting" is not unusual. Parts of a canvas several hundreds of years old sometimes have layer after layer of added paint. Modern restorers strip this back slowly and painstakingly to reveal what is left of the original.

Once the dirt, varnish, and overpaint are removed, the actual restoration begins. It is now that the true skills of an artist come into play. Only if you are an experienced painter can you hope to repair any damage, and authentically match the colours and texture of the original.

The paints employed are usually not reproductions of the original oils. Instead, they are synthetic, resin-based pigments that are easily mixed to achieve the desired shade, and do not discolour. The brush heads are extremely small and are often used in combination with a magnifying glass.

All of this takes time, of course, and can be expensive. However, restoration is like any other business, and you can obtain a quote and an explanation of the process before you commit yourself.

It is also worthwhile studying professional restorers at work, in a museum for instance. You will sometimes find they take breaks to explain what they are doing, and will answer any questions you may have.

Learn more about this author, Kevin Watson.
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