Francis W Downing

From Italian Renaissance oil paintings, paintings in tempera to modern day acrylic paintings, the Studio is well equipped to conserve, restore and clean all types of paintings.

With over forty years practical experience, combined with the latest conservation equipment and techniques you will be amazed at the transformations we can achieve.

At the Studio no oil painting or paintwork is beyond consideration and we are happy to work on all types of paintings, regardless of quality or value.

We care for oil paintings and easel paintings from initial cleaning, repair and essential treatment to consolidation of flaking paint including lining and necessary retouching.

Our conservation and restoration work can be defined as the following:

Conservation: is the care and preservation of an important item.

Restoration: involves repair and consolidation when damage or distortion occurs.

With time, paintings often become discoloured through the accumulation of surface grime and later applied resin varnishes which become yellow or brown with age.

Cleaning forms part of the conservation process and can involve freeing the painting of dirt, which has worked its way into the fine cracks of the paint surface and induce flaking.

A discoloured varnish, when correctly analysed and removed, can allow the original colours of the painting to be appreciated.