Flaking paint repair on oil paintings is arguably the most frequent request made of professional art restorers. Collecting vintage artwork, especially from the European masters, may be an expensive hobby, but nobody can pay a canvas to retain its natural state of lustre. While a collector can take steps to minimise the risk of flaking paint repair on oil paintings becoming necessary, almost all works will require such attention sooner or later.
Oftentimes, flaking paint stems from issues with the materials used to create the art itself. In many respects, this is a compliment. Flaking paint means you likely have a wholly genuine and period-specific work in your collection. This does not mean that flaking paint repair on oil painting can be ignored, but it is not an insurmountable concern.
The canvas is one of the most common explanations for paint flaking on an oil painting. Traditional canvases boast a white grounding, also known as a gesso, to enable a perfectly smooth surface for oil paints to be applied to. Unfortunately, the materials used to create a gesso in the age of the Masters were traditionally so inflexible that bubbling and cracking of the paint became inevitable over time.
Of course, the need for flaking paint repair on oil paintings may also stem from the oil paints themselves. Different combinations of oil – most notably resin or linseed oil – can have varying consequences. Layering, in particular, can lead to cracking over time, especially when thinner layers of paint are applied over thicker counterparts. To avoid oil paint cracking, most modern artists subscribe to the theory of “fat over lean.”
If you’re seeking flaking paint repair on an oil painting, visit a professional art restorer. The root cause of the concern will be identified, and sustainable action will be taken to prevent the problem from arising again.
