Pastel on old photograph

Elizabeth Schott · 09-30-2003, 01:00 PM

A frame store sent a lady over today who has just moved to our city. In transit, a portrait of her father was injured.

This is a photograph circa 1900, that has been colorized with pastels. It even lists the colors on the background. Looking at it, one would think it was airbrushed because the pigment is perfectly smooth. When you hold it up to the light there is not any breaks where colors begin and end.

My only concern with fixing this is the smoothness of his skin tone. The background and other areas do not look like such a problem.

Is anyone familar with the type of portraiture? I have only seen photo's that have been dyed (with inks) or have pencil, for color.

Thanks,

Here is the full photo, size is 16 x 20. It is on a photo board that we would consider to be "hot press" illustration board now.

Elizabeth Schott · 09-30-2003, 01:02 PM

Here is a close-up trying to give you an idea of the photo surface and the scratches from the breaking glass.

Chris Saper · 10-01-2003, 11:01 PM

Beth,

I have thought about this question for a while now. First, I would say that I haven't ever done this kind of thing, and actually, do not accept requests for restoration; I refer the client on to a professional restorer friend of mine. If you decide to move forward with this job, you really need to have a liability waiver that protects you in case the repair is unsatisfactory, irreversible, or actually results in damage.

However, one solution that comes to mind is that you reproduce the image, and 'repair' the reproduction. With a high quality image in hand you should be able to locate a printer who can print the image onto museum rag paper. Most of the larger manufacturers sell an Ink-jet archival rag paper, in varying sizes. You can look on line, or check in a large photo supply shop.

This approach is less costly than giclee (although you could certainly do that, instead). I have made prints of my pastels, on Epson or Legion rag paper made for ink jet printers, and if some of the color needs a touch, I just use pastel directly on top. I am still experimenting with my printer (Epson 1280) but have come up with a couple of images that are virtually impossible to tell from the original, unless you rub your finger across the surface and find that nothing comes off.

Good luck,