restoration of ghosting in canvas

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Grumbling Mike

Grumbling Mike

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Jul 13, 2000
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258
Loc
Toronto Canada
I have a painting that after a year or so has some text that was put on the back by the artist ghosting through the image. (markered title)
THe work is in oil on canvas and is coted with a varnish, the ghosting is coming through in a redish tone and the maker on the back is black. I was hoping to get an opinion on treatment before I hand it over to the restorer of the artists choosing.

many thanks
 
Wow...that is gonna be tough if not impossible. The marker, written on the back of the canvas, has clearly permeated not only the canvas, but the gesso ground, and the paint layer(s).

Unless this is some sort of whizbang work of significant value, it is likely trashed. I am certain that someone on the planet could do something to treat it, but it may not be worth the expense.

I would tell them to contact the artist and demand that he/she repaint it or refund their money.

I fear this painting is done in.
 
If they overpaint it, there is a risk of the ghosting migrating through the new layers - this is not certain, but it is possible.

For the ghosting to take place at all, the solvent in the marker (usually alcohol) had to penetrate and carried a small amount of the resin and possibly some pigment through the layers of the painting. This will likely have weakened the paint film in those areas. I suspect what you are seeing in the ghosting is oxidation of the resins carried by the solvent, or oxidation of the paint layers because they were weakened by the solvent from underneath.
 
How old is the painting, is it oil or acrylic and what type of marker was used? Just curious as I have had several artist sign their canvases (oils and acrylics) with markers on the back. Has anyone else ever seen this happen before or is this just a fluke occurrence?
 
It sounds like a dye component of the ink marker migrating/sublimating out. Felt tip markers are notorious for this. It may, or may not, respond to some sort of decolorizing agent - bleaches, reducing agents etc. I'd look for a paintings conservator who works with, or has close association with, a paper conservator. Paintings to deal with the structural aspects of the piece, and paper for knowledge of decolorization processes.

Rebecca
 
Is this one of those things that goes beyond the realm of framing? I don't think I would touch something like this.

I have turned down two "frameing orders" recently because I did not want to get involved in something beyond my capabilities. Sometimes it is hard to admit that I can't do it, but those things always take more time and energy, and most of the time end up costing more in labor and materials than I can every recoup. Sounds like this might be one of those projects.
 
I don't think Mike was ever considering trying to do something about it himself, just curious about possible conservation treatment options.

Rebecca
 
Here it is, I own the oil painting so its not a frame job I can walk away from
Thanks Rebecca, I'll take that advisement. Im glad I wont need any atomic oxigen for this one. Hopfully between the painter and the conservitor all will not be "transformed"

Rabo Karbekian
 
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This reminds me of a painting I did in college - way back when! I gessoed over a marker drawing and then painted it with oils. And the marker came through. So I painted over the marker - which came through as many layers as I could paint.

Eventually I ended up using one of those lethal shellac-based primers (like Kilz or Vim or something?) to finally stop the marker in its tracks.
 
the image
 

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