Hey all,
It's Sunday evening. Finally some time to kick back and check out the forums before the " Walking dead" tonight.
So, I had a read.
Couple of things.
All restoration work should be done when the poster is still on the stretcher
All restoration work should commence when the poster is absolutely dry. No exceptions. It could take a few days for the poster to dry. Pending the weather. Don't jump the gun.
Complete fold touch of a poster should never be done by air brushing. fifteen years and on, I have never gone over folds with air brush.
You don't have to use Fixative and should not use fixative to achieve perfect or as good as possible based on the condition of the poster. I can say that it is easy with years of experience for someone like John Davis or my self to achieve pretty much invisible fold. I can also say that newer paper/glossy stock is less forgiving and work is more visible.
Air brushing is mostly kept to the borders as well as permanent tape stains or Permanent felt that wont come out, no matter what.
The scale is ..... Well let me say this first. Anyone who says that they air brush permanent stains/tape/felt pen with water colors only, are not telling you the truth.
I use a combination of water colors and conservation acrylics. I've spoken about this many times over the years, on line and privately. I mention it here
http://www.vintagemovieart.ca/restoration/poster-restoration-giant-from-the-unknown-1958/If you ask for a Restoration certificate. It will say " Pigments used are Faber Castell Water soluble color sticks. We also use specially blended Synchromatic transparent Aniline Dyes ( water colors )
mixed with Golden conservation colors when air brushing is warranted"
and I've been speaking about it, as recent as Right now!!!
So, the scale is. You can blend from transparent for punch up of faded colors to more opaque to cover nasty tape stains or non removable felt pens and everything in between. More transparent = more water color in the mix. More Opaque= more conservation acrylics in the mix.
So unfortunately you have to combat permanent with a bit more permanent. There is no other way around it. Unless you are OK with tape stains.
The idea is to find away to limit the air brush work to the specific area. A really good restorer have the understanding and the cleverness to do so. All in the name of "Linen backing is reversible!
Meaning when a poster is soaked off the linen, The restoration will either soak off as well or simply remain with the old backing.
End of the day if you un back, you need to re back.
I leave you guys with an extreme case. Simply a trashed worthless poster. Same poster. Permanent before and after.
Thank you guys!
dario.