A GLOSSARY OF USEFUL WORDS AND TERMS

The process and materials surrounding the techniques of oil painting restoration carries with it its own jargon and terminology that may be unfamiliar to those outside its practice. This may help you understand more clearly any communications we may have in discussing your painting restoration.

BLANCHING: Loss of original colour by chemical osmosis (change) especially by the effect of strong light.

BLOOMING: A milky film appearing on the varnish, usually patchy, and more noticeable on the dark areas of colour.

BUCKLING: Common in 19th Century paintings: layers of paint appear to slip and crease together.

BUTTERFLY WEDGE: Small shaped piece of wood implanted into the reverse of a panel to help bond a split on the reverse of a panel.

CONSOLIDATION: To arrest the degeneration of the pigment/primer/wood/canvas

CRADLE: A wooden brace to reinforce a split or warped panel.

CRAQUELURE: The most obvious sign of old age in an oil painting caused in the gradual drying process of separation of paint from ground ie: cracks in the surface.

FLAKING: A description of paint lifting or cupping away from the picture surface.

GLAZES: Thin films of diluted paint applied to accentuate sense of form and depth.

GROUND: Preparation layer of primer applied to the canvas/panel to prevent absorption of paint into the canvas or panel.

IMPASTO: Thickly applied pigment as seen in many modern paintings.

MOULDING: The type of frame shape and design.

OVERPAINT: Paint applied some time after the painting was first completed, usually refers to restoration retouching.

RELINING: Gluing a new piece of canvas to the back of the original painting to reinforce the old canvas and support conservation.

PATINA: Aesthetically pleasing layer of old varnish.

STRETCHER/WEDGES/SUPPORT: Frame that secures the canvas and keeps it tight.

VARNISH: Gloss/Matt Oil/Acryllic liquid that protects the painted surface.