Restoration Definitions

Abrasions - The scratching or rubbing of a paint film thereby affecting its colors, etc. Usually retouchable.

Cleaning - see Varnish Removal.

Craquelure - In oil painting; cracks appearing shortly after painting was completed. Usually in dark paint over light areas. No cleavage (pealing of paint flakes)! Craquelure does not threaten the painting even though it might appear severe. It is a result of difference between two (or more) layers of paint with dissimilar drying characteristics. Can be retouched.

Flaking - Loss of paint flakes in several areas. Usually indicative of poor adhesion between paint film and gesso ground or between two paint layers. Usually total loss if not lined to reattach paint.

Glue Infusion - see Wax Infusion.

In-Painting - Painting large areas that have been damaged or discolored.

Lining - The process whereby a newly stretched canvas is attached to the "back" of a painting by wax or glue infusion.

Linoxyn - Old oxidized Linseed Oil discoloring a painting. Very difficult to remove even with a specific solvent.

Linseed Oil - Sometimes used as an "enhancer" for gaining the "wet look". Definitely not recommended as it darkens and becomes one with the original vehicle of paint. Also, Very difficult to remove.

Medium - The liquid part of any fluid medium; oil, turpentine, water, egg albumin (tempura).

Mold (Fungus) - Grows on either side of oil painting, pastel or watercolor pictures and is very destructive. Remove and treat art piece with anti-fungal vapor.

Re-Lining - A term often mistakenly used to denote "lining" but actually means to remove a lining canvas previously attached to a painting and replace it with a new one. Old, early lining canvasses were often glued to the reverse of painting needing additional support for a variety of reasons.

Repainting - Restoring damaged, or blanks sections of the canvas to original value.

Retouching - Restoring damaged, or blanks sections of the canvas to original value.

Shellac - Never used on oil paintings. Ages quickly to a dark, impervious film. Difficult to remove and replace.

Varnish (Gloss) - A coating applied to oil/acrylic paintings for two purposes: to protect the paint film from dust, fingerprint, smoke and other oils in the atmosphere, and, to assist in regaining or nearly regaining the "wet" appearance the artist achieved originally.

Varnish (Matte) - The same primary function of protection, but lacking the lustre or gloss of an "oil" canvas. Rarely recommended.

Varnish Removal - As the name implies, the removal from a painting of the aged and/or discolored varnish of whatever kind. A variety of solvents and techniques are employed in this procedure.

Wax Infusion - Heat treatment to force the melted wax through two canvasses onto the back of the paint film. This reattaches flaking or threatening cleavage.