Tools for Art Conservation || Tour of an Art Conservator's Tool Kit
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- Опубліковано 19 чер 2024
- Come explore my tools for art conservation as I take you on a tour of an art conservator's tool kit. This is not all the tools I own (I have a tool buying problem...) but this is my art conservator's travelling tool kit - the essential conservation tools I always want with me (and are small enough to fit in my conservation tool box).
This will give you some tool inspiration and maybe some insight in to the conservation tools and conservation equipment I use in my day to day work. We borrow tools from every industry, using scientific equipment, bookbinding tools and even dentist's tools!
|| Resources ||
Need a conservator?
Every country has private conservators that can treat your treasures. In Australia we have the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material. Most countries have an equivalent. Find a conservator here: aiccm.org.au/find-a-conservator/
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Website: www.lucillaronai.com/
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|| About me! ||
Hi, I’m Lucilla Ronai, a professional paper conservator. I repair and preserve material culture and artefacts, with a bit of science and a lot of laughing. I love sharing everything about my work with cultural artefacts and museums so come join me on my conservation journey. Welcome to the Conservation Starter, where we save the world one piece of paper at a time!
Welcome to the weird and wonderful tools used by a conservator! Do you use any weird tools? I would love to hear what your favourite tool is!
I have a few... I love using porcelain chopstick holders as my brush rests whenever I’m gluing or pasting out stuff - did an internship at Yale’s conservation lab and at the end, one of the technicians gifted me with a cute cat-shaped one 🥰 I have also used cheap white emery boards/nail files for when I’m doing corner repairs on books as they’re quite good for shaping the corner to be less sharp (I shape them w/ cord fluff and paste so it tends to dry pretty tough)! More recently, I did an internship with a paper conservator who gifted me with an affordable spray bottle used normally for hair spray but when squeezed, it lets out a very fine mist for a few seconds which is absolutely perfect for humidifying paper prior to washing or flattening! Great video! 😊
Thank you so much for sharing! I never thought to use a chopstick holder for brushes. It sounds like you have been given some excellent tool gifts! I might have to look in to this emery board and hair water sprayer. Any tips on brands for the sprayer? Thanks!
The Conservation Starter The one I have looks and acts very similar to this one (I’m from America so not sure if they have this in Australia but maybe they have something similar there)! :) www.jerrysartarama.com/aquamyst-spray-bottles
I will definitely look in to finding a version of the sprayer here. Thank you so much!
I like your idea of self amalgamating tape for handles - I've also seen polymer clay (Fimo is the most famous one) used for customising handles.
I don't do any type of restoration work, but the way you describe tools makes me want to buy them
Thank you! I can say that a lot of conservation tools are borrowed from elsewhere, and you could also use them for non-conservation things. So if you want some tools I'm sure you would find a way to use them!
I love this because immediately recognizes the surgical and dental tools you used because I work in an animal hospital as a surgical tech and it made me really happy since I want to be a conservator but don’t know where to start. Seeing something familiar in something so new to me brings me so much comfort
Hello! I'm so glad you recognised the tools. We borrow so many tools from other industries. If you want to know more about how to become a conservator, you can check out my video all about becoming an art conservator: ua-cam.com/video/r07b32d2AC8/v-deo.html
It has lots of the information and steps that will help you on your conservation journey.
I am an amateur Bookbinder and I am sooo glad that I found you. Loved to see your tools. Thanks for sharing your world.
I’m so glad you found me too! It is my absolute delight to share my world and tools. I love all the tools I’ve borrowed from bookbinding, and the amazing tool hacks I’ve learned from my bookbinding colleagues!
As much as I love a good tool kit, I can't take my eyes off the table underneath. The marquetry and gilding looks absolutely divine
It’s a family piece with fold out extensions!
"I've shaped them [bone folders] and shaved them down and I also want to do another video on
how I care and shape my bone folders - so stay tuned for that."
Did you ever make that video? I've looked and can't find it.
A septum elevator!! I never knew such thing existed, and even if I did, I don't think I'd ever imagine it having a place in a conservator's toolbox! Thank you for such an entertaining video, I can't wait for your video on bone folders!!
Isn’t it wondrous!?! We’re pretty good at borrowing things from other industries. One of my colleagues favourite tools is a knife used for eye surgery!
Thanks for watching and enjoying. A video on the bone folders coming soon - I might call it an ode to bone folders!
Forgot the uv light.
Where did you find case or is there a brand/type you recommend?
Hello, this tool case I found through an Australian bookbinder called Cali Andersen. She offers them at her online store here: conservationsuppliesaus.com.au/product/870/
I find it is perfect for holding my favourite and always used tools. Other conservators like soft rolls as well which you can buy or make yourself. Hope this helps!
The Conservation starter can you advise on how to find that Japanese blade tool? Thank you!
Hello, I bought the Japanese blade in Australia from here: conservationsuppliesaus.com.au/product/japanese-paper-knife/ and they call it a Japanese paper knife. I hope that helps!
@@TheConservationStarter Thank you!
Japanese Paper lifting spatula, I purchase mine from Talasonline.com its a shop located in Brooklyn NY
Can you substitute synthetic makeup fan brushes for a hake brush? Is there any reason not to use synthetic for dry brush cleaning on photographs?
When choosing a brush you need to think about what you're using it for. Synthetic brushes are used in conservation but I do not use them directly on a photograph.
The hake brush has a very, very soft bristles (so it will not damage the photograph image surface unless it is flaking). The bristles are flexible and I know it will not leave any residue on my photograph (there are no coatings on the bristles, and I have brushes dedicated to dry cleaning so there is nothing else on the brush).
You can use any brush you like, but I recommend finding the softest brush you can, making sure the bristles have no coatings, and the brush is only used for cleaning. Is there a reason you don't like the hake brushes?
Quite a lot of Japanese tools on your great arsenal. Is there any reason for it?
I find Japanese tools are beautifully made and work so well. Also there is a great history of conservation in Japan so a lot of their techniques and materials are tried, tested and known to work.
Hello, do you offer classes?
Hi, I don't typically do classes. If you tell me what type of classes you're after I can point you in the right direction :)