The Studio
Keighley Lodge
Pond Road
Woking
Surrey
England
GU22 0JY

Yes. We work on oil paintings on any supporting material, (e.g. canvas, board, wooden panel, metal panel), from all periods, (e.g. Old Master through to Modern), and at all levels of difficulty from a simple clean through to complex projects. For example, we have removed a felt tip moustache applied by students, repaired paintings with bullet holes in them, and paintings that someone has put their foot through! As specialists, we do not restore watercolours or frames, but can refer clients to specialist colleagues.

This depends on the amount of work involved. We have to see the painting in order to assess the work, and are happy to give a No-Obligation quote. All our work is of the highest quality, minimal intervention and therefore represents good value for money.

Julian is a Fellow of the British Association of Paintings Conservator-Restorers (BAPCR), formerly known as the Association of British Picture Restorers. This is the professional organisation for conservator-restorers of paintings. Fellowship of BAPCR is a professional accreditation applied for after 7 years experience including training in a studio or on a university course. Visit their website at www.bapcr.org.uk for further information about the organisation. Julian’s restoration experience spans 35 years and he set up his Studio in Woking some 21 years ago. He became a Fellow of the BAPCR in the mid 1970’s, and has participated in the Association’s activities over the years, including serving on the governing council and a term as Vice Chairman.

Most people have an idea of what this is about e.g. removing yellowing varnish and dirt, but many are surprised at the results! For example, a nude overpainted with a dress for modesty during Victorian times, and signatures can be revealed under surface dirt. This work requires the greatest care and skill if the painting is not to be overcleaned. Unfortunately, we see many examples of past damage due to over-cleaning. We also have the expertise to clean problem paintings and are one of the few Studios having a microfriction facility.

This method is useful when solvents cannot be safely used, typically where a brittle varnish covers a painting composed of “soft” oils. The method involves the controlled micro-bombardment of the varnish at the painting’s surface using very fine microparticles. This is done under controlled conditions in a sealed purpose-built cabinet, using a pencil tip appliance and an air compressor to create a fine stream of microparticles.

This involves the conservation and restoration of the painting’s supporting material. i.e. the canvas, panel, board etc. In some cases this can have deteriorated due to, for example, damp or dry environments, or impact damage. We can repair a canvas that has become too weak to hold the paint on its original plane, or has been torn. These can be held with a supporting canvas and the process is called lining. A split panel can be repaired, or a warped panel straightened. Paint that has become loose and flaking can be consolidated or reattached.

NO. In essence we retouch the painting only where paint is missing or worn, avoiding interfering with the original work of the artist. Retouching is painstaking and time-consuming, using fine sable brushes, working on small areas at a time, ensuring a perfect colour mix and matching the artist’s original brush strokes. We follow the ethical restoration standards of minimal intervention and reversibility.

Anything that we apply to the painting can be safely removed by future restorers if required.

Normally the majority of our work takes place in our purpose-built Studio where we have all the facilities available (including good light!) However, we can work out on site where necessary.