This new study day links together three existing lectures, The Conservation and Restoration of Paintings, A Day in the Life of a Picture Restorer, and A Tale of a Million Brushstrokes: The Conservation of English Portraits. The study day has two morning lectures with a hands on session in the afternoon. We discuss the nature of oil paintings materials from the Middle Ages to the present day and common problems associated with the ageing and deterioration of, and damage to, easel paintings. These can be on canvas, panel, board or paper in a range of mediums: oil, acrylic, egg tempera or mixed media. Problems can involve natural deterioration and neglect, accidental damage, vandalism and even war – the most surprising event being a large hole caused by a Turkish cannon ball going through a picture in the 18th century. Modern museum standard approaches to conservation and restoration are illustrated with detailed slides ranging from early Italian religious paintings in egg tempera, via rapid oil sketches on paper by John Constable, to 20th century British portraits and modern abstract works, many from little known collections, taken during conservation treatments. Hints and advice on the proper care of paintings in homes is given in liberal doses throughout! Advice on packing and transport is given in advance so the attendees can bring on their own pictures for an ‘Antiques Roadshow’ style assessment with recommendations for conservation.

Sarah Cove is an accredited paintings conservator-restorer, technical art historian and lecturer with more than 35 years’ experience working on paintings for the heritage and private sectors. She is based in London and Falmouth and is a specialist in British portraits, 19th-20th century British landscapes and oil sketches on paper and board. In 1986 she founded the Constable Research Project and she is now the leading authority on Constable’s materials and techniques. She has appeared in several TV programmes for the BBC notably Constable in Love with Andrew Graham-Dixon and twice on Fake or Fortune? where she was instrumental in the discovery of 3 ‘lost’ Constables. Other research interests include Tudor and Jacobean Portraiture, the 19th century Newlyn and St Ives schools and early-to-mid 20th century British painting generally. She has been a lecturer for The Arts Society since 2003 and is an experienced international speaker having lectured independently at major public and gallery venues across the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand. Her presentations are lively and enthusiastic as she speaks without notes with an inimitable passion that comes from presenting her own work and research with wonderful images.

Attendees are invited to bring in paintings from home for an ‘Antiques Roadshow’ style condition assessment with recommendations for treatment in the afternoon session. This is always fascinating as usually a wide range of pictures and frames are brought in and we will see many of the points illustrated in the lectures in our own paintings! We need easel paintings of any date or School, in oil, acrylic, mixed media on canvas, panel or board. They must specifically not be watercolours, prints, miniatures, engravings, etc., as this is not Sarah’s area of expertise. Sarah can examine 10-12 paintings on average so if you would like to bring one in please contact Anne Bradford (bradfordchurchfarm@gmail.com, 07971 219413) for proper wrapping instructions as we do not want to risk anything getting damaged in transit!

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE BOOKING FORM

The first session will start at 10.30 am prompt with the final session ending at around 3.30 pm.  The cost will be £40 to include morning coffee/tea, hot lunch and second cup of coffee/tea.  You may bring your own alcohol but there will be a corkage charge of £2.50 a bottle paid to the Westwoods Centre.

THERE ARE LIMITED PLACES FOR THIS DAY OF SPECIAL INTEREST SO PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!

Please complete the booking form online if possible.  Otherwise post it or email all the details requested on the form to Anne Bradford. 

Please note no refunds will be issued but in the event of a member being unable to attend and if there is no waiting list, he/she may find a replacement who does not need to be a member of the Society.  Please inform me if you are transferring your place to someone else so a new booking form can be completed.

We have a maximum of 50 places so please apply as soon as possible as places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. We will open up booking to other societies from end of September. 

If you would like to bring a painting please contact Anne Bradford with as many details of the painting as possible.

Anne Bradford, Cheveley House, Manor Farm, Shipton Oliffe, Cheltenham GL54 4HY

Tel: 01242 821172    Mob: 07971 219413  bradfordchurchfarm@gmail.com