Restoration Example

[brude]

[erik1925]

To me, it seems more mysterious in its dirty, deteriorated state.

Chris,

The black painted background, that was applied to the student copy, sometime later, did indeed give the painting more of the chiaroscuro style, shrouding her, not only in darkness but also behind a yellowed layer of varnish. It is a fascinating study, and the painting almost looks like it was painted yesterday, since the black paint, vanrish and centuries of grime were removed.

Because of this, I can see why the Louvre would be hesitant to clean the original. It would drastically change the look as it has come to be known around the world.

The faces in the 2 paintings are decidedly different and, overall, the copy is not as fine a work, according to art scholars. There has even been some recent discussion that the Copy may actually have been painted first. 

[Ari]

Copy looks more like a human to me, ML looks quite alien IMHO.

[erik1925]

Copy looks more like a human to me, ML looks quite alien IMHO.

Maybe Leonardo was visited, and painted his encounter. 

[Ari]

 A theory I would like you to explore on my behalf, weekly reports please.

[erik1925]

A theory I would like you to explore on my behalf, weekly reports please.

After the sitting was over, "she" was told to relax:

[Ari]

PROOF! and so soon. Good work Sherlock.
Now we need some evidence that Chris is really King Tut.

[CSM]

PROOF! and so soon. Good work Sherlock.
Now we need some evidence that Chris is really King Tut.

If that's the case - can I have my gold back please?

[brude]

Now we need some evidence that Chris is really King Tut.

[CSM]

Works for me!

I am also developing the right language for my eternal curse...

[50s]

Now we need some evidence that Chris is really King Tut.

Found it!!!

[CSM]

Found it!!!

Impressive!

[peckinpah]

I love to look at these BEFORE & AFTER.
Any more of these ? (please).

I restore all my posters myself. Can't afford pro's and I'm not
collecting linen backed posters anyway. Also I have hundreds
of posters to restore, I'd need endless money (and for that money
I rather buy more )

I'm using acid free restoration tape  (  http://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l2736&_nkw=filmoplast+p  )

One just needs patience, time and some talent (shacky hands won't work).
First I restore the tears. Before I use the filmoplast I get rid of the bends and folds.

Then I carefully clean it as good as possible. Using wet paper tissues (not too wet
and immediately drying it with another tissue). Most stickers can be removed by making
them carefully wet with warm water.

Then I restore the paperloss. I try to find a paper that looks similar to the poster
I'm restoring and replace the missing pieces. Here's a picture during restoration.
Above the EURO INTE there is an already inserted piece of paper.
(the last step then is retouching colors with pens. Colors give the final touch, check
the JOURNEY poster before and after)

[Ari]

thats cool, If I gave a shit about condition, I'd have a go myself good work.

[brude]

This Mike is a man after my own heart.
They look great!
 

[peckinpah]

Thanks Brude ! I suppose you are not living in continental Europe ?

Writing, editing etc. is my job but it gives me headaches. I love to work with
my hands, so much healthier Old cars, old paper Restoring paper is a lot of fun,
you have a wreck in front of you and an hour or so later a decent poster.
Much on the opposite to retouching stuff in the PC. Which is a guaranteed provider of headaches.
For my McQueen book I spent 2 months, 6 days a week, of restoring and retouching
all 1020 photos for the final book. Incl. 230 posters. a NIGHTMARE. But once the pain
is gone, all that counts is the final product.

Two examples of before / after:

 

[brude]

Thanks Brude ! I suppose you are not living in continental Europe ?

No.  Upstate New York.

I do appreciate the restoration efforts of people who obviously love their hobby.
These McQueen examples of your photo-shop retouching are very, very nice.
Are you working on a new project at this time?

[peckinpah]

Too bad, long distance.
My film PASSION & POETRY began and ended in Upstate NY. Peckinpah filmed Julian Lennon's video-clips there in 1984. The last things he did, he died weeks later. On his deathbed he said to his ex-wife: 'My last film was only 3 minutes long!'

I hope I can delay my next (real) project as long as possible. I'm so worn-out, I still feel like Tuco coming out of the desert in GOOD,BAD,UGLY. And when you start a new film or a new big book, it means 5 - 12 months of work, no breaks.  
That's why I joined this forum I have time. Whenever I got time, I come back to posters and stuff. Nothing (non-human) gives me more joy I guess. Collecting is a serious illness . And thanks to this activity here I finally took pics of my best (or better: before 1970) posters. I wanted to do that for a long time. Took me 7 days.

I will make more books, I have three great ones up my sleeve (but I'm supersticous, 'don't talk about it when no contracts are signed yet). Last year I produced the blu-ray for CROSS OF IRON (UK too), two hours of documentaries & featurettes, that was enough film making for a while
I provide a lot of DVDs with supplements, Trailer, posters, artwork, stills etc. I'm also doing booklets and audio-commentaries, but mostly in Germany.

A couple of pages from my McQueen book, you can also check it out on Amazon.com. Great reviews, it was worth the effort.
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/ae15/peckinpah69/demo7.jpg[/img]

[brude]

Thanks for posting that, Mike.
It looks like a labor of love and a worthy tribute to one of the world's greatest.
I also checked Amazon (only 5 copies left) and checked out some more pages.
http://www.amazon.com/Steve-McQueen-The-Actor-Films/dp/1854432532/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336668973&sr=1-7#reader_1854432532

Great choice for a cover shot. 

[marklawd]

Nice looking book - I've just bought one.

Mark

[Charlie]

You should offer up some signed copies...

[peckinpah]

Thanks Mark !
Would be nice to hear you opinion when you have it in front of you...

I'll sign everything except political statements. No seriousely, the shipping costs
would kill that idea I guess. I signed a few in Germany, but to ship a 5 pound+ book
is really expensive..

[guest4251]

O'boy! do I ever like what you are doing, very cool!

Here's a cool tip for you to relax some of your paper. Should suit the style of work you do. Experiment with it see how you do.

A  home base humidity chamber, aha!!!

So, a large plastic storage container, a bucket or large bowl of very hot water. Place the paper and water bowl, cover with the storage container. Monitor over the next few hours.

Blotters after for moist removal on paper.

All good,
dario.

[stewart boyle]

O'boy! do I ever like what you are doing, very cool!

Here's a cool tip for you to relax some of your paper. Should suit the style of work you do. Experiment with it see how you do.

A  home base humidity chamber, aha!!!

So, a large plastic storage container, a bucket or large bowl of very hot water. Place the paper and water bowl, cover with the storage container. Monitor over the next few hours.

Blotters after for moist removal on paper.

All good,
dario.

Sorry if it sounds like I have no idea what you preservation guys are talking about, I don`t,but would this method be very similar to steaming Rice?..warm the paper gently using steam?
Stew

[brude]

O'boy! do I ever like what you are doing, very cool!

Here's a cool tip for you to relax some of your paper. Should suit the style of work you do. Experiment with it see how you do.

A  home base humidity chamber, aha!!!

So, a large plastic storage container, a bucket or large bowl of very hot water. Place the paper and water bowl, cover with the storage container. Monitor over the next few hours.

Blotters after for moist removal on paper.

All good,
dario.

I love it when an artist of Dario's caliber drops tips like these.
It's worth the price of admission.
Thanks, DC!