We do all sorts of projects here at Uckfield Framing Company. Some commissions come with unique challenges, and most are met within the confines of the studio and workshop. Occasionally, we find that we need to call in an expert in one of several artistic disciplines, and we are always interested to learn from them.
Here is a watercolour with the foxing clearly visible in the clouds…
For example, we were asked to rescue a badly foxed watercolour, which needed a good spruce-up. Paper conservation is not something we undertake as standard here, but we do work with local experts in this field. Our paper conservator was able to successfully remove the foxing (age-related deterioration causing browning and dark spots on old documents and pictures). The process requires considerable testing to maintain the integrity of the paper while removing the staining, and then re-lining onto acid free paper to achieve the best possible result.
… and here it is with the foxing removed!
Sometimes a canvas may need restoring, in which case our go-to expert is Tom Mayhew at the South East Conservation Centre in St. Leonards, who cleans and repairs old or damaged canvases, as shown in these photographs of the canvas before and after restoration.
Here is the painting before..
.. and after restoration!
Additionally, if you have an old photograph or picture which could benefit from refurbishment in terms of freshening the colours or removing marks and creases: we have access to experts who can help.
In-house, we make sure that all of our ‘ingredients’ in a frame are of the highest quality, such as acid-free Artbak and conservation grade white cored mount board (so you don’t suffer the brown edges around your image you would get with a standard mount). And of course, to protect precious artwork from fading, we have Artglass UV in different grades, culminating in Museum grade, offering 99% protection.
In other words, we do nearly everything to secure and protect your work of art, and if we don’t do it ourselves, we know someone who can!
Tilly