Who knows how to repair a torn canvas?

Vianna Szabo · 03-07-2005, 10:02 AM

Hi everyone
I'm not certain this is posted in the correct place, but I am in the middle of this painting and I have a huge problem. The canvas was bumped off of the easel, fell, and caught the corner of my portable working table. Now I have a nasty hole in my canvas. Is there a way to fix this so that the repair will not show? The painting is on linen which is oil primed and there are only 2 or three thin layers of paint in that area. I have not used any medium in this painting. I have included closeups of the tear and also the back of the painting. Help, please!

Vianna Szabo

Mary Sparrow · 03-07-2005, 10:28 AM

Now this is wierd, I was just coming to ask this exact question. My holes are slightly smaller, but look the same, and unfortunately they are both is obvious spots, I don't know if you will be able to see them with the image sized down or not.

Vianna Szabo · 03-07-2005, 11:21 AM

Hi Mary

Looks like we received a dose of bad canvas karma. That is a lovely painting you're working on, I hope it can be fixed. Any ideas out there?

Mary Sparrow · 03-07-2005, 11:30 AM

I wish I could take credit, this was painted by Gian Cassone, I ended up with a few of his portraits that he had in a closet and, well, they need a little TLC.

Chris Saper · 03-07-2005, 12:02 PM

HI Vianna and Mary,

I moved this thread over to Restoration, as I hope it will get more atttention there.

Vianna what a lovely piece! I'm sure there is a way to repair it, I just don't happen to know it. This is definitely one of the reasons to paint on a rigid surface.

Vianna Szabo · 03-07-2005, 12:43 PM

Your right Chris, This is definitely one of the reasons to paint on a rigid surface. Do you have a favorite?

Vianna

Chris Saper · 03-08-2005, 08:39 PM

Vianna,

I've been using the www.newtraditionsartpanels.com L-600 - there'a lot of info on the Forum , just give it a quick search.

I just received some realgesso panels from Howard Daniel ( Rob Howard's son.) They feel like ivory and I can hardly wait. They will send free little samples.

Jean Kelly · 03-09-2005, 01:12 AM

I don't know if this method will pass museum standards, but as an old sewing expert I would repair it with a linen patch on the back. There are a number of fabric glues on the market which you would apply to your linen patch (make sure you get a permanent glue, not a temporary one). Then press your patch onto the back side of the painting and smooth it with your fingers to flatten it. You may need to use an iron to help you flatten the fibers on the front. But do this from the back side with a press cloth. Trim any loose threads from the rip before you do this.

As I said before, this may not be the archival method, but it's what I would do, and I've done it many many times in my old business (custom bedrooms).

Jean

Michele Rushworth · 03-09-2005, 11:12 AM

I think the idea of attaching a small piece of canvas/linen to the back of the hole would prevent the tear from getting worse and would minimize the look of it from the front, but it wouldn't make the hole disappear completely. I don't think anything would.

Also, you'd need to be very cautious about any glue or other substance you use to attach the piece to the back. Anything that's not archival will damage your painting because of the acid coming into contact with the raw linen fibers on the back of the painting.

Hate to say it, but if this is an important painting you should talk to a professional conservator (contact your local art museum) or begin the painting again.

Jean Kelly · 03-10-2005, 01:16 AM

Hello again,

I found this link on repairing a torn canvas. Sounds like a lot of work, I also read that gesso can be used as your "glue".

http://www.restoration-advice.org/Pa...ml#Tears-holes

Jean