Oil Painting restoration forced by gunpoint

[RrldPan]

When out of town some years ago, I was elected as the family genealogist, family heirloom* and oil painting caretaker (shanghai'd is what we call it here in Portland, OR.).

What is different than junk from Walmart and "family heirlooms"? "Family Heirlooms" handed down in my family came from the Walmart's of their time. Swear.

There are close to fifty canvases of my father's work, that were taken off their stretcher bars because of time constraints. Dad's plans were to restretch them after we settled in our new home. Dad died not long after we moved, so everything got packed up again and moved down to Southern California. Problem was/is they were not in a controlled environment and to the immediate issue, they were not rolled up correctly or for the length of time that would pass. At this point they have been rolled up in a metal footlocker since 1966. Sixty years ago?
When I get finished with this note, I'll quietly go to a corner and crumble to dirt.
Yes, I'm crazy enough to do what I can to at least judge what canvases just aren't going to be salvageable. I didn't receive even a small dose of Dad's talents, and I wouldn't want to match coloring much less all the things that make art the personal, uniqueness of the art.
I am not a rich man and while my family is a loving one, none would pay for anything I might want to have done. I'm not expecting a rainstorm of $100 floating down to me, either.
Also, I am looking over supplies that I would need just to clean the canvases, and videos on that authority on all things, YouTube.
So, to my question, could you recommend books, good videos--possibly from trusted vendors--or anything that you might feel would be helpful, I'd be obliged.
I'm a retired from retail management. I know how little time you have in your day for such things as this. I look at the favor of time and your brain very special. Having to make time for this knowing the amount of time you don't have for such things, makes me appreciate it all the more.

 

[wpfay]

Painting restoration is a mix of inorganic and organic chemistry, a keen eye for color, and a healthy dose of disceplined study in technique.
Most framers here are aware of conservation techniques, but few practise them.
It is a job for a conservator, or at least a consult with one.

Any online tutorials should be taken lightly.
Professionals in the field would not likely author such things.

 

[alacrity8]

Agree completely with Wally.

This type of work is one of the only things we subcontract, or inform the client that we don't do that.

The American Institute of Conservation is a good place to find someone local who you can hire to help you:

Find a Professional Member - American Institute for Conservation

www.culturalheritage.org

This is not a cheap or quick undertaking.

Best of Luck,
Brian

 

[Prospero]

It depends a lot on how they were executed originally. Oil paintings are not created equal.
If they were done on properly prepared canvases and the paint was mixed in the correct proportions
of binder(oil) and solvent (turps) and pigment then they are virtually bulletproof and can generally
be restored successfully. However, if they were done without much regard to the 'craft' aspect of
creating them they essentially carry the seeds of their own destruction.

Trying to 'improve' them with no knowledge of the pitfalls can result in them being rendered impossible
to restore - even by an expert.

I know enough about restoration to know when to leave well alone.

 

[glamorsidhe]

To what Prospero said about leaving restoration well alone unless you're knowledgeable about same is absolutely valid. Even experts would have issues with oil paintings improperly rolled up (were they rolled up sandwiched between specific tissue papers, or even face out as opposed to face in, or how tight the roll?) & stored outside "a controlled environment" (a metal footlocker) for more'n 60 years. "A rainstorm of $100"? Sir, you are terribly naïve. A professional art/painting conservator/restorer could spend weeks (real time), at least, on 1 piece, cleaning & repainting broken-off paint, & these people know what they're doing. Lastly, "supplies" for doing even cleaning of such damaged canvases aren't available retail as the chemicals involved are specific to a conservator's knowledge, experience, & "craft" --- even professional artists are outside that milieu.

 

[wwwobbe]

There is a good and reasonable conservator in the S. Cal area. Jaimie Mendez Conservation.