Over decades, dust, nicotine, and airborne particles can accumulate within the fibres of the canvas, forming a greasy, discoloured surface layer that obscures the original appearance of the painting.
The yellow and grey surface dirt that visually merges and dulls the colours of a painting often adheres too strongly to be removed with household cleaning products. In my experience, several paintings arriving in the studio have previously been cleaned using methods found online, where the materials applied have caused unexpected and often irreversible effects on the painted surface.
One of the most rewarding moments in painting conservation is when careful cleaning reveals the painting’s original vibrant colours, bringing back its depth, clarity, and visual harmony.
Before beginning treatment on a painting careful cleaning tests are carried out on the paint surface to assess its response to the selected solvents and ensure safe and controlled conservation.”
Many people are not aware that when a cleaning agent is applied to a painted surface, its effects do not end at the moment of cleaning. Improperly selected or used materials can penetrate beyond the surface layer, affecting the paint and even the canvas structure, and may continue to cause damage until properly neutralised or stabilised through professional conservation treatment
Removing old varnish is meticulous and delicate work, as paint and varnish are often difficult to separate and require materials of varying strength. The process becomes even more complex when the paint layer is delicate.
