Most artworks that come to us for restoration have not been damaged in a single moment. They have simply lived, through decades of dust, smoke, central heating and sunlight, and the slow yellowing of a varnish applied a century ago.
Campbell’s of London has been caring for artwork from our South Kensington studio since 1966. We restore paintings, works on paper and antique frames using conservation-led methods that stabilise and revive a piece without altering the artist’s hand.
Painting Restoration
Our painting restorers are qualified in both works on canvas and works on paper, and we offer a complete service for paintings from the 17th to the 21st centuries.
What painting restoration includes
- Assessment and appraisal reports: condition report and recommended treatment
- Surface cleaning: dust, soot and nicotine lifted with pH-controlled solutions
- Varnish removal: yellowed varnish removed incrementally under magnification
- Consolidation: flaking or lifting paint secured with conservation adhesive
- Canvas re-lining: a second fabric added where the original canvas is too weak
- Tear repair: tears rejoined thread by thread so the join sits flush
- Filling and retouching: losses filled, textured and retouched in reversible pigments
- Revarnishing: a stable, removable synthetic varnish restores depth and protection
For a fuller explanation of each stage and why it matters, read our guide to picture restoration methods.
Restoration of Works on Paper
Watercolours, prints, drawings and photographs are particularly sensitive and need a different approach. Common problems include staining, foxing, tears, and damage caused by poor mounting or old adhesives.
Works on paper are treated using conservation-led methods that prioritise long-term stability, and are usually returned in archival mounts with UV-protective glazing to prevent the damage recurring.
Frame Restoration and Re-Gilding
An antique frame is part of an artwork’s history, and in many cases repairing the original frame is preferable to replacing it. Our workshop has been making and restoring frames by hand in South Kensington for six decades.
What frame restoration includes
- Antique frame repair: rebuilding broken corners, mouldings and ornament
- Gold-leaf re-gilding: losses re-laid in real gold leaf and toned to match the original
- Composition and gesso repair: missing decorative detail recast and reapplied
- Cleaning and surface consolidation: accumulated grime removed without stripping the original finish
- Structural stabilisation: loose joints re-secured and the frame made sound
- Historically accurate reproduction: where a frame is beyond repair, a period-appropriate replacement made by hand
Because we design and make frames as well as restore them, we can also advise when a period-appropriate handmade frame would serve the artwork better than the one it currently sits in.
Restoration of Small Sculptural Objects
We also advise on the restoration of small sculptural and decorative objects. Because materials vary, from plaster and ceramic to wood and mixed media, each piece is reviewed individually, and where appropriate we work with trusted specialists to provide the most suitable approach.
The principles are the same in three dimensions: consolidation, cleaning suited to the material, adhesive repair of breaks, and the filling and toning of losses.
Assessment Comes First
No treatment is decided at a glance. Each piece is examined in raking light and, where useful, under ultraviolet light, which reveals earlier retouching and the extent of the varnish layer.
Before any work is discussed we consider the materials and age of the artwork, the type and extent of the damage, any previous restoration, and the overall stability of the piece. This ensures expectations are clear and that any treatment is both necessary and carefully considered.
A basic appraisal is free of charge. A small fee applies to any in-depth appraisal required.
What Restoration Costs
Cost depends on the type and severity of the damage, the size and condition of the artwork, and the materials involved. For that reason every piece is assessed before an estimate is given. This avoids uncertainty and ensures the recommended treatment is genuinely necessary.
Restoration is measured in weeks rather than days, as each stage must be allowed to settle before the next begins. Every stage is documented and explained in clear terms before it is carried out, and we act as your point of contact throughout.
Framing as Part of Restoration
Once an artwork has been restored, appropriate framing plays a critical role in its long-term protection. For works on paper this may mean museum-grade mounts and UV-protective glazing; for paintings it may involve structural support, backing and a frame that complements and protects the piece.
Because restoration and bespoke framing happen under the same roof, the two can be planned together rather than treated as separate jobs.
Collection and Delivery
Bring your piece to our studio at 35 Thurloe Street, opposite South Kensington Underground, or we can arrange to collect it and return it once the work is complete. You are also welcome to send photographs first and we will advise on what can realistically be achieved.
Why Campbell’s of London
- Sixty years of handling artwork from our South Kensington studio
- Access to trusted specialists across multiple disciplines
- Careful assessment before any work is undertaken
- Clear, professional guidance throughout the process
- Restoration and conservation framing handled together
