Comments on: Conserving Watercolors: Misting to Stabilize Paint Layers

By: Rachel

Rachel — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 20:14:00 +0000

Hi Elisabetta,
For consolidation, we have generally used a photo-grade gelatin (Talas in NY should have it, but not sure it’s exactly what I use.)
I generally use a 0.5% solution of the gelatin in deionized water, then dilute it in half with ethanol so it ends up as a 0.250% solution.
I try to humidify the area if possible first. It’s good to look at the piece in specular (or raking) light as you treat it to see how the consolidant is going into the paper support. We usually have to go over each area several times until it’s well adhered. We check it under the microscope. Sometimes we use funori, a mucilage from seaweed, to ‘cut’ the gelatin to lower gloss and strength which can be useful with powdery paints.
Hope this is helpful and thanks for your question,
Sincerely yours,
Rachel Danzing

By: Elisabetta

Elisabetta — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 07:10:27 +0000

Hi Rachel, I am a paper conservator as well. I am in process to treat a watercolour by George O’ Brian which has areas of flaking white gouache. I was wondering, which consolidant did you use with the ultrasonic mister, and at what concentration? Thank you sincerely in advance.

By: Rachel Danzing

Rachel Danzing — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:11:30 +0000

The ultrasonic humidifier works best for powdery, underbound paint layers where the mist can penetrate the paint from above and be pulled through it. In the Conservation lab at the Brooklyn Museum, we have used it for works of art on paper and for ethnographic, painted objects. Our paintings conservators have not yet used the Engelbrecht mister for consolidation of oil paints but our paintings conservator Carolyn Tomkiewicz refers you to the following article where an ultrasonic mister was used for this purpose: http://www.munch.museum.no/content.aspx?id=63&mid=&lang=en.

By: Dustin Mcfarland

Dustin Mcfarland — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:34:53 +0000

Can an ultrasonic mister be used to consolidate lose paint on an oil paint, as well? If so what kind of adhesive is used?