Restoration of PaintingsLaajuus (10 cr)

Objective

Restoration of paintings - gap filling materials and techniques, retouching, varnishes and varnishing techniques.

Filling and retouching:

The student is able to select and use different filling materials and retouching materials and techniques in practical conservation work, depending on the nature of the object and its damage. The student is able to perform the filling and retouching in ethically and aesthetically acceptable manner and with high quality.
The student is familiar with the technical and material history of different retouching methods and is able to consider the ethical and aesthetic aspects of retouching in relation to different types of objects to be conserved.

Varnishes and varnishing:
The student is familiar with different types of varnishes, the history of their use, properties, behaviour (gloss properties, aging, solubility, etc.) and possibilities of their use in different conservation situations.
The student is able to choose the right type of varnish, prepare it and varnish a painting according to the requirements with either the brush varnishing technique or the spray varnishing technique, taking into account the required result (varnish thickness, gloss, evenness)
The student knows the tools and equipment, needed for varnishing and the occupational safety related to varnishing.

Competences: working with professional literature, documentation and practical conservation-restoration skills, material analysis skills, teamwork skills, internationality and multiculturality skills.

Content

History, materials and techniques of retouching.
Ethics and aesthetics of retouching.
Filling reference samples will be made, using different materials and techniques.
Different surface structure techniques for filled surfaces. Isolation materials for fillings.
Both natural and synthetic varnishes and different varnishing techniques in theory and practice.
Natural resin and synthetic resin varnishes, their properties (aging, solubility) and behaviour, modification of the gloss of lacquer surfaces, depending on the type of object (painting) to be varnished, ethical and aesthetic requirements and varnishing method.
Preparing of various natural and synthetic resin varnishes. Spray varnishing techniques and equipment and brush varnishing techniques and equipment.
Work safety related to varnishing, the use of varnishing room and occupational safety requirements.

Qualifications

Introduction to paintings conservation
Chemistry I (inorganic chemistry) and pigments
Chemistry I continuation (lab work and organic chemistry)

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student is able to outline the basic concepts of filling and retouching in his / her field of specialization and knows at a basic level the related theory, selection of materials and working methods.
The student is able to outline the basic concepts of varnishes and varnishing techniques used currently and in the past in their field of specialization and is familiar with the related theory, materials, material safety and tools at a basic level.
The student masters the basics of the course and understands the main content of the course. The student understands the necessary theoretical and applied principles related to the topic. The student is able to acquire some information independently. The student has difficulties in interpreting the acquired knowledge and selecting suitable working methods and materials. The student has difficulty justifying the choices made. Practical work is not independent enough and there are shortcomings in the end-result. The student has difficulty acting as a group member in an encouraging and group-strengthening way

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student has a good idea of the basic concepts of filling and retouching in his / her field of specialization and is familiar with the related theory, selection of materials and working methods.
The student has a good understanding of the basic ideas and concepts of varnishes and varnishing techniques used currently and in the past in their field of specialization and is well acquainted with the related theory, materials, material room safety and tools.
The student demonstrates a good theoretical and applied knowledge. The student is able to justify the choices he / she has made expertly, and the application in practice proceeds consistently in accordance with the practices of the professional field. The student masters the whole in both theory and practice and has achieved a good level of knowledge and skills. The work has been sufficiently independent. The student is able to acquire information independently and is able to critically analyse this information. As a member of the group, the student acts to encourage and strengthen the work of the group.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student has a very good command of the basic concepts of filling and retouching in his / her field of specialization and has a very good knowledge of the related theory, material selection and working methods.
The student has a very good command of the basic ideas and concepts of varnishes and varnishing techniques used currently and in the past in their field of specialization. The student is well acquainted with the related theory, materials, material safety and tools and has achieved an excellent level of knowledge and skills.
The student demonstrates excellent theoretical and applied knowledge and is able to apply what he or she has learned well. The student is able to work mainly independently on both written and skill-based assignments. The student is able to acquire information independently and to analyse and apply information. The student participates in the discussion with arguments using the concepts of the field. The student is able to justify the choices he / she has made expertly, and the application in practice proceeds consistently in accordance with the practices of the professional field. The result of the practical work is of a very good standard. The student works consistently, showing initiative and creative problem-solving ability. As a member of the group, the student acts to encourage and strengthen the work of the group.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student is able to outline the basic concepts of filling and retouching in his / her field of specialization and knows at a basic level the related theory, selection of materials and working methods.
The student is able to outline the basic concepts of varnishes and varnishing techniques used currently and in the past in their field of specialization and is familiar with the related theory, materials, material safety and tools at a basic level.
The student masters the basics of the course and understands the main content of the course. The student understands the necessary theoretical and applied principles related to the topic. The student is able to acquire some information independently. The student has difficulties in interpreting the acquired knowledge and selecting suitable working methods and materials. The student has difficulty justifying the choices made. Practical work is not independent enough and there are shortcomings in the end-result. The student has difficulty acting as a group member in an encouraging and group-strengthening way

Further information

The weekly working hours of a student is 1,5 cr, which is equivalent to 40 hours of studies and independent work. 40 hours is formed from approx. 20- 22 hours of contact studies with a lecturer. The remaining hours are dedicated for independent literature survey or independent practical work. 1 credit (cr) is equivalent to 26 study / practical work hours (h).