Artist Conserving Art
Professional Painting Conservation & Restoration
Rabbit Hill Studio provides the conservation of all types of paintings. Our goal is to restore beauty to your treasured painting in a way that it will last for many centuries. Joshua approaches the work from the artist’s perspective, analyzing each work from a technical, historical, and archival perspective.
His goal is to give the painting’s voice back without disregarding its lifetime and history. By understanding the mind of the original artist, he ensures that every restoration respects the integrity of the work while securing its future.
Technical Approach & Treatments
Structural Consolidation
Addressing "cupping" or flaking paint layers by re-adhering the paint film to the ground and support using archival-grade adhesives.
Surface Cleaning & Varnish Removal
The delicate removal of atmospheric pollutants, soot, and grime. We specialize in the removal of aged, yellowed natural resin varnishes that obscure the original color and depth of the work.
Tear Repair & Structural Lining
Mending punctures or tears through bridge-bonding or thread-by-thread reweaving. When a canvas is too brittle for local repair, we utilize traditional lining or strip-lining for stabilization.
Loss Filling & In-painting
Filling areas of paint loss with specialized gesso to match the texture of the original work. In-painting is performed using high-stability conservation pigments, limited strictly to the areas of loss.
Documentation & Reversibility
We document every stage of the treatment process. Following international ethical standards, all materials used are selected for their archival stability and full reversibility.
Common Questions
How do I know if my painting needs professional cleaning?
If colors appear dull, yellowed, or "muddy," it is often due to an aged varnish layer or accumulated environmental grime. Professional cleaning safely removes these layers without damaging the underlying paint.
Is the restoration process reversible?
Yes. Reversibility is a core tenet of museum-standard conservation. We use specialized resins and pigments designed to be stable yet easily removable by future conservators without disturbing the original work.
Can you fix a painting that has a tear or a hole?
Absolutely. Structural damage like tears can be repaired using bridge-bonding or thread-by-thread reweaving. Once stabilized, the loss is filled with archival gesso and meticulously in-painted to match.
How much does painting restoration cost?
Cost is determined by the condition and time required. We provide preliminary estimates via high-resolution photos, but final binding quotes require an in-person examination at the studio.
How should I transport my painting to the studio?
Keep paintings upright and avoid surface contact. Wrap in glassine or acid-free paper, followed by bubble wrap. If paint is flaking, notify us for specific handling instructions before moving the piece.
