About Mark Beach Expertise I can answer any questions about custom picture framing or any one of custom picture framing components, i.e. matting, glass, mounting and wood or metal frames. I can answer questions about proper framing techniques to preserve artwork. I can not answer questions about restoring artwork or the value of artwork.
Experience I have over eleven years experience in custom picture framing and nine years experience managing a frame shop. I have worked in every retail area of custom picture framing.
Education/Credentials I've trained under 3 indiviuals that have more than fifty years of combined expierence. I have attended several PPFA (Profestional Picture Framers Association) certified workshops.
Expert: Mark Beach Date: 7/19/2007 Subject: How to stop yellowing
Question I have a framed drawing done by my mother about 20 years ago -- pencil drawing done on "standard" drawing/art paper. It has turned a little yellow over the years. Someone mentioned that I could have it "dipped" to stop the process, but I have no idea what that means, or if that info. is correct. Do you have any insight?
Answer Hi Angela,
I have never heard the term "dipped" before. More than likely the person was referring to a process done by an art conservator. There are a couple of things you can do. One is to locate a conservator in your area. A reputable frameshop should be able to recommend one. You will need a conservator that specializes in works of art on paper. Most conservators have a specialty. A conservator can sometimes restore the paper to it's original appearance. The cost to have a conservator restore your artwork can be very high. Some of the problem may be that the paper that the drawing is on is not archival paper. The second thing you need to do even if you do decide to have a conservator look at your artwork is re-framed it. If it was framed sometime ago I am willing to bet it is not framed conservationally. The biggest contributor to the yellowing that you see is UV light. UV is present in all forms of light it doesn't have to just be getting sunlight to receive harmful UV rays. If you have it re-framed with conservation glass, museum grade matboard and conservation foamcore backing that should be enough to protect it for many years to come. It should also keep it from fading and yellowing even further. Let me clarify that just because you change the mat, glass and backing you do not have to choose a new frame. So if you are attached to the frame that the art is in that's okay, just change out the bad components for archival ones. Angela, thank you for your question; I hope this has helped. My personal opinion is that if it is only a little yellowed you don't need to spend the money on a conservator. Take it to a good framehop and have it re-framed with quality products and it will be fine. Stay away from the big box stores. They claim to be cheaper, but most of the time they aren't and they just don't have the same expertise that your independent frameshops have. If you need any further assistance or clarification please let me know.
