For dull spots, rather than whole areas of dullness, you can apply a small amount of Artists' Painting Medium on a clean cloth. Rub it gently into sunken areas, wipe off any residue and leave it to dry for a day or two.
The only substance that can go over oil paint, is more oil paint. After your ``ugly messed up'' painting is completely dry, create a mixture of half white oil paint and half Galkyd medium or another fast drying medium (liquin, liquin gel, cold wax, cozica).
Make sure the oil and Sansodor are completely combined before you start applying the mixture. Then use a soft brush to paint it evenly across the surface of your painting. You'll notice that where there are dull patches, the mix will be absorbed and instantly improve the appearance of the painting.
Whether there is a dramatic rip tearing through the face of a portrait or the intricate details of a landscape, or a small puncture wound to the canvas, these damages can be flawlessly fixed by a specialist oil painting conservator.
If kept properly, your precious tubes of oil paint can even last you decades. In fact, oil paints can have a shelf life of 15 to up to 40 years! That's why seasoned artists have grown to love this medium for painting!
Yes, you absolutely can go back over a painting months later, as long as you've not varnished it. The thing is, for learning purposes, I don't normally recommend it.
Gently wipe down your oil painting with a soft damp cloth to clean dirt off the surface. Avoid the use of harsh chemicals, such as detergents, vinegar, or ammonia. Then wipe off any extra moisture with a dry, clean cloth.
Cracking and lifting of the paint layer occurs when stresses on the painting are too strong for the strength of the paint layer. These stresses, such as, environmental changes in heat and humidity, cause the paint, ground, and canvas layers to expand and contract at different rates resulting in cracks and lifting.
Use thinning agents: linseed oil or turpentine can be helpful. Just a few drops added to the tube will restore the paint's consistency. Heat treatment: if the oil paint has become too thick, you can use heat treatment. Warm the tube briefly in warm water or wrap it in a hot towel.
Art conservation costs vary widely based on factors such as the artwork's size, medium, condition, and the extent of restoration required. On average, conservation can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
Oil based paints have a shelf life of anywhere from 2 to 15 years. Depending how well it was sealed and stored. One of the best ways to tell if your stored paint has gone bad is to test it on a piece of board or timber. If lumping occurs it could be that chunky sized bits of paint have formed despite a vigorous stir.
The most concerning risk is that the old painting will suck all of the oil out of the new painting and cause it to crack. You have to ask yourself if the risk is worth saving a few bucks. I think this issue can be reduced or eliminated by choosing thinner paintings to paint over.
When an oil painting is constantly exposed to the atmosphere, the traces of hydrogen sulphide gas present in the atmosphere slowly blackens the painting by converting lead oxide (white) to lead sulphide (black).
Unopened paint could have a shelf life of 20 plus years, depending on the conditions under which they're stored. You can expect them to survive beautifully if you keep them air tight and dry in a cool, dark place. Avoid changes in temperature and light and keep their tubes clean to avoid damage.
Not only does varnish protect your artwork from the accumulation of dirt and dust, it also enhances the final look of your masterpiece with a radiant glossy, matt or satin finish. Over the years, the varnish will act as a shield that prevents dirt and dust from damaging your painting's surface.
As a general rule of thumb you always want to be painting with a 'wet edge'. This means not letting the paint dry on one patch before you start painting the section next to it. By keeping a wet edge, you'll make sure sections of paint will blend together. Seamlessly.