Wildwood Gallery

Picture Framing and

Art Conservation Service 

Call 07710 532735 or 07483 811990

 email info@wildwoodgallery.co.uk

Est 2002

Art Conservation

Restoration and Care of your Art

We offer a Full Conservation and Restoration Service for all works of art. Services include all aspects of cleaning and restoration of paintings, removal of discoloured varnish and overpaint for Oils on canvas and panel paintings.  Consolidation of flaking. Lining and re-lining of oil painting, repair of tears, holes and abrasions, conservation varnishing and in painting. Surface cleaning and removal of foxing for works on paper, watercolours, drawings and prints. All work is of the highest quality, using minimal intervention with ethical restoration standards in reversibility. Detailed written and photographic documentation can be provided on all aspects of condition and treatment. 


Pre-auction appraisal of paintings for prospective buyers is available. Home visits and collection and delivery can be arranged, please ask for details.

About our Restorer and Our Service

Our Restorer Ali, operates from a secure studio and restores paintings for numerous private clients, public galleries, institutions and auction houses. Ali has over 25 years experience and an MA in Conservation of Oil Paintings and specialises in cleaning and structural issues. Ali has a passion for the history and integrity of paintings and follows advances in conservation methods and is a BAPCR and ICON member. Ali readily takes on paintings that are severely damaged. 


  • Cleaning
  • Consolidation
  • Repairs of tears and holes
  • Works on paper and watercolours
  • Inpainting
  • Lining
  • Analysis
  • Insurance Claims
  • Home Visits 
  • Collection and delivery service 
  • BAPCR member with over 25 years experience
  • Frame restoration service


Before and After

Frame Restoration

Before Restoration

Ornamental Bow

During Restoration

Ornamental Bow

After Restoration

Ornamental Bow

Basic Care of Your Framed Work

Handle with care – when carrying and transporting a picture, grasp the frame firmly at both sides. If you have to store pictures, make sure they are stacked vertically and the right way up. When stacking pictures, stand them glass to glass, back to back so that hangers do not damage the frame.

Eye-level display – remember most pictures are designed to be viewed at eye-level. When hanging a group of pictures of different sizes align the top edges. Groups of pictures need not be hung in symmetrical patterns, but they should follow some kind of overall design. Try arranging them on the floor first in front of you and the wall they are to hang on.

A gentle clean – dust frames or brush with a soft brush, rather than risk applying water or cleaning fluids. Don't use cleaning fluids or water on the varnished surface of oil paintings; again dust carefully. If fluids have to be used on glass, apply them to the duster first (rather than spraying the glass directly), do not let them touch the frame.

Hang securely – use two hooks on the wall, each set about a quarter of the way in from either side of the picture. Check that the cord, wire or other hanger you use is designed to support the weight of your artwork. Where safety is critical, for example in children's bedrooms ask about glazing and security fittings. Ideally pictures should not be hung above radiators. Extreme or rapid changes in temperature cause paper and wood to warp and dry out and adhesives to fail. Damp can cause pictures to ripple. If the ripples touch the glass, the picture might stick and be hard to remove. Damp also encourages fungal growth, likely to show as brown stains. Conservation framing can slow these effects but it is always best to avoid hanging framed pictures in humid conditions.

Return to mender making routine checks – if you find evidence of discolouration, unsightly brown dots, small insects under the glass or that the brown paper tape sealing the back of the frame has come unstuck, return the frame to the framer. Check for corroding picture wire and weak or loosening cord. The varnish on oil paintings will gradually discolour, especially if the painting hangs in smoky or polluted conditions. An expert should replace it as it dirties. Oil paintings stretched over wooden bars may sag over time and the bars can make a slight imprint on the front of the canvas. Take the picture back for tightening or re-stretching.

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