Oil Paintings on Canvas
Removing grime and yellowing varnishes reveal details in a painting. We also can restretch a painting or make repairs to the canvas or the paint. A full structural stabilization might involve lining techniques.
CRAQUELURE
Craquelure comes in two types: drying cracks, which are cracks in the paint layer caused by gradual drying; and aging cracks, which run through all layers, from the paint to the canvas.
Mid 19th century portrait, artist unknown. Oil on canvas. Private collection
![varnish1.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_d7d9d3372f2d4e77ad65ca464505912c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_255,h_339,al_c,lg_1,q_80,enc_avif,quality_auto/varnish1.jpg)
![varnish2.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_9b88e84e92f84e4499192545360dc7d2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_249,h_330,al_c,lg_1,q_80,enc_avif,quality_auto/varnish2.jpg)
REVERSAL
Reversal of prior restorations often involves removing wax resin and glue linings and re-lining or re-weaving with non-penetrating synthetic adhesives and materials.
![Reversal-web1.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_082e9920c79f45cf91f45230b1dc0446~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_164,w_1500,h_755/fill/w_284,h_141,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Reversal-web1.jpg)
![Reversal-web2.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_c5b3791ddd1048278938b1828109ee2a~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_169,w_1500,h_749/fill/w_282,h_141,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Reversal-web2.jpg)
SURFACE GRIME
Surface Grime is an accumulation of airborne pollutants that dull the surface.
William Aiken Walker (1839-1921). Cabin Scene. Oil on academy board. Private collection.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_cc8d24484f044d5c94bd1fa9c1254997~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_298,h_150,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_cc8d24484f044d5c94bd1fa9c1254997~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_34e323e48e9542a8b4d838fa343e9522~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_298,h_150,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_34e323e48e9542a8b4d838fa343e9522~mv2.jpg)
TEARS
Oxidation, exposure to atmospheric oxygen, causes the canvas to lose its elasticity and become brittle.
Detail of Portrait of M E Witherspoon
by Menzel 1908. Oil on canvas
![mending-web1.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_b057663a69604f409475484439b879a2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_192,h_288,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/mending-web1.jpg)
![tears2.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_f96af6669271455eb814b853b83a7672~mv2_d_2144_3216_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_189,h_284,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/tears2_JPG.jpg)
TENTING, LIFTING &
CUPPING
Tenting, lifting & cupping of the ground and paint layers can be caused by excessive exposure to moisture, heat and improper storage.
"The Path" by Caroline Guignard, Oil on canvas
![tent1.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_b8fd6b43c2024ebba26ed9efb2383714~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_300,h_194,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/tent1.jpg)
![tent2.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_20eb6e776ea34705bed8696e1db67e13~mv2_d_1692_1200_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_275,h_195,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/tent2.jpg)
VARNISH
Oxidation also causes varnish to slowly darken.
G J Stengel 1932. Oil on board
![varnish-web2.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_581a655c9a6e4bbe897261039c05854b~mv2_d_1411_1200_s_2.jpg/v1/crop/x_31,y_0,w_1349,h_1200/fill/w_300,h_267,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/varnish-web2.jpg)
![varnish-web1.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_09649571ec40463aa76e1acc3e1e8ca8~mv2_d_1353_1200_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_301,h_267,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/varnish-web1.jpg)
![varnish1](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_d7d9d3372f2d4e77ad65ca464505912c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_225,h_300,al_c,q_80,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_d7d9d3372f2d4e77ad65ca464505912c~mv2.jpg)
![varnish2](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_9b88e84e92f84e4499192545360dc7d2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_225,h_300,al_c,q_80,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_9b88e84e92f84e4499192545360dc7d2~mv2.jpg)
![Reversal-web1](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_082e9920c79f45cf91f45230b1dc0446~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_708,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_082e9920c79f45cf91f45230b1dc0446~mv2.jpg)
![Reversal-web2](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_c5b3791ddd1048278938b1828109ee2a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_691,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_c5b3791ddd1048278938b1828109ee2a~mv2.jpg)
![mending-web1](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_b057663a69604f409475484439b879a2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_933,h_1400,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_b057663a69604f409475484439b879a2~mv2.jpg)
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![oilOnCanvas2](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_34e323e48e9542a8b4d838fa343e9522~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_800,h_403,al_c,q_80,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_34e323e48e9542a8b4d838fa343e9522~mv2.jpg)
![oilOnCanvas1](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_cc8d24484f044d5c94bd1fa9c1254997~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_800,h_403,al_c,q_80,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_cc8d24484f044d5c94bd1fa9c1254997~mv2.jpg)
![tent1](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_b8fd6b43c2024ebba26ed9efb2383714~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_634,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_b8fd6b43c2024ebba26ed9efb2383714~mv2.jpg)
![tent2](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_20eb6e776ea34705bed8696e1db67e13~mv2_d_1692_1200_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_695,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_20eb6e776ea34705bed8696e1db67e13~mv2_d_1692_1200_s_2.jpg)
![varnish-web2](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_581a655c9a6e4bbe897261039c05854b~mv2_d_1411_1200_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_833,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_581a655c9a6e4bbe897261039c05854b~mv2_d_1411_1200_s_2.jpg)
![varnish-web1](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_09649571ec40463aa76e1acc3e1e8ca8~mv2_d_1353_1200_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_869,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_09649571ec40463aa76e1acc3e1e8ca8~mv2_d_1353_1200_s_2.jpg)
![varnish1](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_d7d9d3372f2d4e77ad65ca464505912c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_225,h_300,al_c,q_80,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_d7d9d3372f2d4e77ad65ca464505912c~mv2.jpg)
![varnish2](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_9b88e84e92f84e4499192545360dc7d2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_225,h_300,al_c,q_80,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_9b88e84e92f84e4499192545360dc7d2~mv2.jpg)
![Reversal-web1](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_082e9920c79f45cf91f45230b1dc0446~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_708,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_082e9920c79f45cf91f45230b1dc0446~mv2.jpg)
![Reversal-web2](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_c5b3791ddd1048278938b1828109ee2a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_691,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_c5b3791ddd1048278938b1828109ee2a~mv2.jpg)
![mending-web1](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_b057663a69604f409475484439b879a2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_933,h_1400,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_b057663a69604f409475484439b879a2~mv2.jpg)
![mending-web2](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_b7da74fc9c664e28a58dd4b79101c3a6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_933,h_1400,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_b7da74fc9c664e28a58dd4b79101c3a6~mv2.jpg)
![oilOnCanvas2](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_34e323e48e9542a8b4d838fa343e9522~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_800,h_403,al_c,q_80,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_34e323e48e9542a8b4d838fa343e9522~mv2.jpg)
![oilOnCanvas1](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_cc8d24484f044d5c94bd1fa9c1254997~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_800,h_403,al_c,q_80,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_cc8d24484f044d5c94bd1fa9c1254997~mv2.jpg)
![tent1](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_b8fd6b43c2024ebba26ed9efb2383714~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_634,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_b8fd6b43c2024ebba26ed9efb2383714~mv2.jpg)
![tent2](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_20eb6e776ea34705bed8696e1db67e13~mv2_d_1692_1200_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_695,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_20eb6e776ea34705bed8696e1db67e13~mv2_d_1692_1200_s_2.jpg)
![varnish-web2](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_581a655c9a6e4bbe897261039c05854b~mv2_d_1411_1200_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_833,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_581a655c9a6e4bbe897261039c05854b~mv2_d_1411_1200_s_2.jpg)
![varnish-web1](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/58fc72_09649571ec40463aa76e1acc3e1e8ca8~mv2_d_1353_1200_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_869,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/58fc72_09649571ec40463aa76e1acc3e1e8ca8~mv2_d_1353_1200_s_2.jpg)