If you were repainting a large old plaster statue (the corpus from an old church crucifix from 50+ years ago) using oil paints, would you apply a sizing? I’ve been thinking that once I’ve removed all of the old paint and fixed the fine cracks, I’ll use an oil paint primer like those used to prep plaster walls. Does this seem like a good plan? I’d love any advice you could share.
Artists are often asked to “fix” painted objects where higher-tier professional services are unavailable; it happens all the time, and sometimes the results are regrettable. As an artist (not a conservation professional), it would be helpful to know if this is a restoration project, with the plaster object to be reinstalled after painting, or if it’s a salvaged object that is being repurposed for an original sculpture. I think the ethical standards for the former would be different from the latter, especially if the artist is intending to repair or restore an antique object.
Thanks Matthew.
As I have written in the past, as professor at the University that hosts this forum, I am not allowed to suggest conservation treatments. I am reluctant to give advice even if this is a reuse/found object situation because what I write could be used by others for DIY treatments.
I understand, Brian. Best to leave it alone, then. There is plenty of information available for preparing plaster for work in oils, anyway.
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