Restore A Faded Watercolor Painting?
Someone recently asked, “How do you restore the color to a faded watercolor painting?” That’s a good question. Can you restore the color to a faded watercolor painting?
Fading can be an issue with any type of artwork that uses paper as its canvas. Unfortunately, there is no way I have found to restore the color pigments of a watercolor if they start to fade. However, if your painting has already begun to fade, there are steps you can take to prevent it from fading further.
Be sure the frame you are using is completely sealed; and use UV3-coated Plexiglas instead of regular glass. This will protect the painting from the harmful effects of the sun. You should also never store or display your painting in direct sunlight. The sun bleaches the pigments, which causes them to fade. Direct sunlight also causes the temperature on the painting to go up.
The ideal temperature for a watercolor painting is below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This means hanging it next to a fireplace or under a heating vent is not wise. Try to avoid hanging it on exterior walls if you can. If the walls are not properly insulated and you live in a relatively hot climate, heat can get to your painting that way as well.
Fluorescent lighting is another enemy of your watercolor painting. Distant or indirect incandescent lighting is best in terms of ultraviolet intensity and heat.
Ultimately, the best you can do for a faded watercolor painting is to give it the proper care from now on. With a little effort and expense, your watercolor painting should last a lifetime.
Also see:
How to clean a watercolor painting