The retouching process is arguably the most fun and difficult part of any conservation. While it’s exciting to literally reassemble the image and make the damage disappear, it’s also the thing that the viewer will see first. All of the structural work is hidden and often behind the image yet the image itself is the whole point. If the retouching isn’t spot-on then no amount of other work will matter to the viewer. This painting of a canal had a pretty nasty compound tear and required a lining to

After the cleaning, varnish removal, and some light fill-in, a layer of synthetic resin was applied and then the retouching process can begin. Little by little the damage disappears and the image comes together. | Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration

At 44, Olympic snowboarder Nick Baumgartner approaches the snowboard cross with a unique blend of experience and humor. Learn more: http://www.wvtm13.com/article/nick-baumgartner-olympic-snowboarder/70050339 | WVTM 13

I talk a lot about how the materials and techniques I use are reversible and here is a prime example of that. I had mended a small tear using the bridging technique that I am very fond of. The client accidentally damaged the painting and now it needs to be lined. Before I can do the lining I have to remove the bridging and as you can see it’s really quite simple. | Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration