Question Touching up Scuff in Print

[studio 3]

Does anyone have any suggestions for touching up a small scuff on a paper print?

Print is on a thick watercolor type paper and there is almost a tiny tear/scuff mark out of it. has anyone ever touched up something like this? what would you use?

I thought maybe colored pencils or pastels? not sure though.

 

[Dave]

If the surface is not glossy, I've had great success with pastels. I wouldn't use colored pencils because they are wax based and would show a sheen.

I take good quality soft pastels, like Rembrandts, shave off some pigment and then apply using my clean pinky figure. The pigments from several pastels can be combined to match color. Since the paper is fibrous they will fill in the damaged area.

I wouldn't use the pastels directly on the print because you have to push to break off the pigment. Using your pinky keeps a soft touch and doesn't abrase any other portion.

Just brush off any excess with a fine brush.

 

[Richard Darling]

Assuming we're not dealing with something of great value, I've used watercolors with a soft touch. You want to start lighter than you think because the color absorbing into the fibers will get/look darker.

 

[Couture's Gallery]

if you are handy with an airbrush it is easy..use appropriate water based pigment with right finish ( matte/glossy etc)....kind of like retouching photos...you will never see the repair...

 

[Jerry Ervin]

I would go with pastel.

 

[BILL WARD]

it can be done, no matter the surface, BUT a pro would be my advice. My 1st(& last) faxpaux cost me $300 to have 2-1" boo-boos made gone(just happened to ALSO be the cost of replacing the print and the client was more thrilled to have the original fixed than replaced---now she had a story too).....local guy.....does jobs(paintings,mostly) for the n.y. met, etc...took mine on as a 'lark'.......could NOT tell where it happened even when pointed out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[evartpat]

I have used watercolor with good success, but like it was mentioned. a light touch and thin layers of wash. Of course I am a watercolor painter, so I am very familiar with its vagaries...

 

[Nancy W]

A crow quill dipping pen is my first go to solution for these situations. The watercolors or diluted acrylics do the trick,the KEY is pointillism. Do not apply the color in a solid manner. A small amount of pigment in the quill is used to DOT the area. You 'sneak up' on being finished. Less is more,go in conservatively. More can be done in stages of alternating colors,just like the impressionist master painters. The eye will mix the colors and it will be a better cohesive match by letting some of the watercolor paper shine through.

Just for general knowledge this trick works super for posters with black areas that have been crescent damaged or some such trauma. The crow quill (a very tiny straight quill, comes with a cheesy plastic handle and everything for about $1.99) with Pelican Brand India ink ( it is blacker and doesn't smell bad) and the pointallism technique will work miracles making the white paper disappear ,as the ink seeps into the broken paper fibers only.

Get permission to touch stuff up and go for it. In 18 years I have never had a nasty outcome from a client I tried to help...although I do have heaps of art production under my belt...so I apologize if I make this seem simple.