Summer Courses in Conservation

[Frederick Bearman <f.bearman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

THE CONSERVATION CENTRE
CAMBERWELL COLLEGE OF ARTS, LONDON, UK

1998

SHORT COURSES IN CONSERVATION OF PAPER AND RELATED MATERIALS 



The courses described below take place at the Conservation Centre, 
Camberwell College of Arts, Wilson Road, London SE5, UK.  and are 
administered by Developments at the London Institute (DALI) 



 What is Conservation?

Tutor: Mark Sandy

Date:
1 day
20 July 1998
10.00 - 16.00

Cost: #30

This new one day introduction to Conservation will especially appeal to 
those of you who already have a general interest in the subject, or who 
might be considering studying Conservation at degree level. We look at 
the differences between conservation and restoration, and the history of 
both. Using case studies, we examine the conflicts and controversy which 
can arise around their practice, for example in the treatment of the 
Sistine Chapel ceiling. The Camberwell Collection of Applied Arts, which 
comprises over 2,000 examples of ceramics, glass, wood, textiles and 
product design, provides an opportunity to study particular pieces, and 
to discuss the conservation issues, including ethical codes, which 
surround these. It promises to be a fascinating day!



Conservation Mounting

Tutor: Susana dos Santos

Date:
2 days
6 - 7 April 1998 or
6 - 7 July 1998 or
7 - 8 September 1998
10.00 - 16.00

Cost: #165

A poor mount and inappropriate storage methods can cause untold damage to 
works of art on paper, and waste valuable space. This two day course 
provides the opportunity to learn new skills, and will suit museum and 
gallery staff, as well as professional conservators, with little or no 
experience in this field. You will learn to assess works for mounting and 
storage, and how to handle art works and fragile paper objects. We 
include paste-making, removal of old mounts, handcut mounting (square, 
circular or oval), hinging objects to mounts, inlaying of objects (using 
traditional and Japanese tissue techniques), and encapsulation of paper 
techniques. You should bring a small to medium-sized artwork on paper 
which will be mounted during the course. Advice on equipment, materials 
and suppliers will also be available. Storage (folder making) for the 
short and long term will be demonstrated and discussed. 
 


Stamping Mounts and Objects with Handset Type

Tutor: Susana dos Santos

Date:
1 day
8 April 1998 or
8 July 1998
10.00 - 16.00

Cost: #85

Stamping mounts and paper objects with the artist's name, acquisition 
number and registration number helps identify an object and adds to its 
security. The method taught here, which uses handset type from the 
Camberwell Press (the College's private press) is in current use at the 
British Museum. The skill requires patience, only a small financial 
outlay, and the benefits are very great. This one day course will be of 
special interest to conservators, museum staff and librarians (who may be 
handling collections). Advice will also be available on the selection and 
purchase of type and inks.



Conserving Historic Photographic Material

Tutor: Corinne Hillman

Date:
3 days
1 - 3 April 1998 or
13 - 15 July 1998
10.00 - 16.00

Cost: #165

This three day course is a highly practical introduction to caring for 
and conserving historic photographic material. It is designed for people 
involved with photographic material but with no prior knowledge of the 
differing photographic processes ie private collectors, museum, gallery 
and library staff, archivists and conservators. Through demonstrations, 
discussions and practise in the laboratory, participants will develop 
skills in preparing materials for treatments, in using a range of 
techniques to preserve and repair material, care of albums and repair of 
mounts, handling and working with glass and metal based materials, as 
well as learning about environmental control and storage. We conclude by 
exploring how to avert and cope with disasters that may befall your 
collection. Participants are encouraged to bring examples of their own 
material to work on during the course. 
 


The History and Chemistry of Modern Media

Tutor: Aeli Clarke

Date:
1 day
8 July 1998
10.00 - 16.00

Cost: #80

This one day intensive course will interest collectors and producers of 
contemporary works alike, as it enables a better understanding of the 
properties and ageing characteristics of a range of modern drawing and 
painting materials. 

The course comprises illustrated lectures and demonstrations, and 
explores the history, usage, manufacture and chemistry of, amongst other 
materials, fibre-tip pens, ball-point pens, wax crayons, acrylic and 
alkyd paints. Detailed course notes will also be provided.



The History and Chemistry of Traditional Media 

Tutor: Aeli Clarke

Date: 
2 days
9 - 10 July 1998
10.00 - 16.00

Cost: #150

In this two day course we cover the history, manufacture and chemistry of 
a range of traditional drawing and painting materials, some of which are 
now only rarely used. A combination of lectures and practicals gives a 
broad introduction to the ways in which each is liable to age and change 
over time.

We include lectures about traditional drawing materials: metalpoints, 
natural chalks, pastels, charcoal, graphite and drawing inks. We learn to 
make traditional drawing inks and prepare metalpoint grounds. On the 
second day, there is a lecture on the history of pigments, examining the 
expanding artist's palette, and we follow this with a hands-on session, 
learning to prepare some traditional pigments. This is followed by a look 
at some of the traditional binders: gums, egg, oil and glue and a final 
session making pastels, watercolour pans and egg tempera.
 


Science Refresher: Plastic or Elastic?

Tutors: Dr Anthony Smith and Mark Sandy

Date:
2 days
16 - 17 July 1998
10.00 - 16.00

Cost: #150

This course provides an introduction to the mechanical behaviour of 
organic materials, with a particular emphasis on the concerns of paper 
and textile conservators. This two-day, intensive course will review the 
basic principles of mechanical behaviour, and the mechanical properties 
of textiles, paper products, plant materials and adhesives. The effects 
of polymer degradation on the mechanical behaviour of organic materials 
will be included. The course will consist of lectures, demonstrations of 
testing equipment, and panel discussions. 

The course is principally aimed at professional paper and textile 
conservators but will also interest conservators of ethnographic 
collections. 



Exploring Cold Vacuum Table Techniques

Tutor: Marcel Ciantar

Date: 
2 days
30 - 31 July 1998
10.00 - 16.00

Cost: #150

Cold vacuum tables have been used in paper conservation treatments for 
many years, but many professional conservators remain unsure how to use 
them to their full potential. During this course, you will be able to 
gain familiarity with common cold vacuum table treatments used in paper 
conservation, and take part in demonstrations of the washing of media 
sensitive objects, lining, stain removal and repair. 

Participants are encouraged to bring their own problem objects for 
treatment and discussion.


How to Make a Booking

E-mail the Conservation Centre at:  f.bearman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Or please contact us at:

DALI
Camberwell College of Arts
Peckham Road
London
SE5 8UF
England

Telephone: 0171 514 6311
Fax: 0171 514 6315

We will send you a booking form which you should fax or send to us with 
full payment or a purchase order. Alternatively, you can book by Switch, 
Visa or Access/Mastercard over the telephone; simply call 0171 514 6311. 
Upon receipt of full payment, we will send you confirmation of your 
enrolment and further information about joining the course.

Fees

All fees are inclusive of VAT at 17.5%. A VAT receipt will be issued upon 
request.

Cancellation

Once a booking has been confirmed by us, it cannot be cancelled by you. 
We can accept substitutions at any stage; please confirm these to us in 
writing.

Changes by us

Every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of this material. We do 
however reserve the right to make such changes to the programme as may be 
necessary for reasons of quality, operational efficiency or circumstances 
beyond our control. If we cancel a course, all participants will be 
notified and payments refunded in full.