Of the many different restorers who are willing to say what they use, there seem to be almost as many different fillers employed for repairing oil paintings as restorers. A well respected local restorer uses "Drummer" wood filler, some people use "DAS" modeling clay, then there is glazer's putty mixed with Japan driers, or traditional gesso mixed with linseed oil and Japan driers, etc. I've even been surprised to hear of epoxy based fillers being used - surely not an easily reversible choice.
Currently, I use DAS modeling clay, but structurally it can't be said to be a lot like oil paint and I still have questions regarding what would be the most ideal filler forl compateability with the original materials, longevity and ease of reversibility.
Filling holes in oil paintings
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Not your average framer
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DaveM
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I'm not a conservator, but have never heard of using any filler in repairing "holes" in oil paintings.
From my understanding the only acceptable method would be to use a canvas patch on the back of the oil and in paint the blemish.
If the canvas was used as a dart board then probably the most practical solution would be to reline the oil.
From my understanding the only acceptable method would be to use a canvas patch on the back of the oil and in paint the blemish.
If the canvas was used as a dart board then probably the most practical solution would be to reline the oil.
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Dave Makielski
MAKIELSKI ART SHOP
Edwardsburg, MI
USA
You can't change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails.
Dave Makielski
MAKIELSKI ART SHOP
Edwardsburg, MI
USA
You can't change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails.
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prospero
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I have tried repairing holes in canvases, but I knew a chap who used to do a lot of it. He told me at the time just what he used as filler, but I can't remember what it was. 
I once saw him repair a Frank Wotton oil of a Hampden bomber. It had come from a local RAF officers mess where there had apparently been a few 'high jinks' and someone had made a fist-sized hole in the sky. He made a damn good job of the repair, and he said at the time it took ages to rebuild the surface before he could think about retouching. If you knew where the hole had been you could just about see it. Funny thing was someone else gave me a calandar one year with the same painting featured. 
I could still see where the hole was.
I would have thought 'Das' would be a bit too rigid. On a biggish area it wouldn't flex with the canvas. If I had do it, I'm thinking use white oil paint and bulk it up with something like gilders whiting. I might need several applications to get a surface level with the original canvas. Maybe some could try this out and see how it goes.
I once saw him repair a Frank Wotton oil of a Hampden bomber. It had come from a local RAF officers mess where there had apparently been a few 'high jinks' and someone had made a fist-sized hole in the sky. He made a damn good job of the repair, and he said at the time it took ages to rebuild the surface before he could think about retouching. If you knew where the hole had been you could just about see it. Funny thing was someone else gave me a calandar one year with the same painting featured. I could still see where the hole was.I would have thought 'Das' would be a bit too rigid. On a biggish area it wouldn't flex with the canvas. If I had do it, I'm thinking use white oil paint and bulk it up with something like gilders whiting. I might need several applications to get a surface level with the original canvas. Maybe some could try this out and see how it goes.
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Not your average framer
- Posts: 11008
- Joined: Sat 25 Mar, 2006 8:40 pm
- Location: Devon, U.K.
- Organisation: The Dartmoor Gallery
- Interests: Lost causes, saving and restoring old things, learning something every day
- Location: Glorious Devon
Moyra Byford who runs courses in restoring oil paintings and has brought out a video uses DAS and tells her pupils to do likewise.
I am also told by someone who worked for him, that Colin Stodgell uses brummer wood fillers. He has an exceptional reputation here's his web site: http://www.colinstodgell.co.uk/
I don't think he's doing much at the moment, due to a spot of bother with the Customs and Revenue: http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/displ ... K=18321437
Inspite of all that his restoration work was the business.
I am also told by someone who worked for him, that Colin Stodgell uses brummer wood fillers. He has an exceptional reputation here's his web site: http://www.colinstodgell.co.uk/
I don't think he's doing much at the moment, due to a spot of bother with the Customs and Revenue: http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/displ ... K=18321437
Inspite of all that his restoration work was the business.