How to remove foxing spots from old paper?

This requires a professional paper conservator. They use controlled chemical baths and suction tables to draw the discolouration out without damaging the fibres. Attempting this at home with household bleach usually destroys the sheet. The chemicals degrade the paper structure over time and often alter the surrounding pigments.

I have inherited a watercolour painting that has been kept in a damp attic for years and the paper is rippled all over, can it be flattened out again?

Rippled paper is often called cockling. It happens when moisture expands the fibres unevenly, usually due to changes in humidity or water damage. A conservator can relax the paper using humidity chambers and then press it flat under controlled weights. Sometimes the rippling is just how the artist stretched the paper initially, especially with heavier washes.

What glass is best for framing watercolours?

UV-filtering glass is the standard choice. It blocks the ultraviolet light that causes fugitive pigments to fade over time. Museum glass offers both UV protection and an anti-reflective coating. This stops glare hiding the subtle washes.

My painting has a thick brown cardboard border around it that looks very old, should I keep it or get it remounted with something modern?

It isn't a good idea to keep that border, as it's likely an old acidic mount. Wood-pulp mounts from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries contain lignin, which breaks down into acid and damages the artwork. You should replace it with a modern acid-free or cotton rag mount. This stops the acid transferring to the watercolour paper and preventing the brown burn lines you often see on older pieces. Keep any old labels or inscriptions from the original backing board. They hold useful provenance details.

Home > Art > Watercolours > Page 3

Antique Watercolours from the 19th Century

← Page 3 of 28 →

Antique watercolours are works painted using water-soluble pigments on paper, originally created by topographical draughtsmen to record landscapes before evolving into an independent medium for capturing atmosphere and light.