Year: 2025

Heritage Conservation

Heritage Conservation: My (Jigmet Yangchen) Journey and Insights

I’m Jigmet Yangchen, an archaeologist and heritage conservator in training. I am fascinated about the history woven into our heritage. Heritage conservation allows me to safeguard the stories, traditions, and artifacts that define our identity. It promotes a deeper connection between the past, present, and future. My initial encounter with heritage and heirloom conservation occurred when I discovered a course at Heritage Preservation Atelier. This … Continue reading Heritage Conservation: My (Jigmet Yangchen) Journey and Insights

jigmetyangchan1203Leave a comment
Archival Conservation, Cleaning with gels, Paper and book conservation, Paper conservation

Breathing Life Back Into Old Architectural Drawings

When we first unrolled the bundle of architectural drawings, it felt like opening a time capsule. These weren’t ordinary sheets of paper — they were made on linen drafting cloth, a tough, translucent fabric once considered the gold standard for architects and engineers. From the late 1800s until the 1960s, this was the material of choice before polyester films took over. The drawings had clearly … Continue reading Breathing Life Back Into Old Architectural Drawings

namitajaspal2 Comments
Archival Conservation, Heritage Conservation, Paper conservation

The Evolution of Architectural Drawing Techniques

   18th Century (1700s) Architects in Europe (and colonial America) drafted on high-quality rag paper (often handmade linen or cotton rag stock) using ink and graphite. Drawings were typically laid out in pencil. Then they were “inked-in” for permanence with quill or early metal-nib pens. Tools like straightedges, compasses, and needle prickers were used to transfer outlines[1][2]. Black iron-gall ink (common writing ink) was widely … Continue reading The Evolution of Architectural Drawing Techniques

namitajaspalLeave a comment
Foxing
Archival Conservation, Heritage Conservation, paper abd book conservation, Paper and book conservation, Paper conservation, Photograph Conservation

Foxing on Paper, Textile, and Architectural Drawings: Causes, Concerns, and Prevention

Foxing is a widespread condition affecting paper and textile-based cultural heritage materials. While it’s most commonly associated with books and prints, foxing can just as easily mar textile-mounted documents, tracing cloth, or drafting linens. Understanding the nature of foxing is essential not just for conservators but also for collectors, curators, and institutions responsible for long-term preservation. What is Foxing? Foxing refers to brownish spots or … Continue reading Foxing on Paper, Textile, and Architectural Drawings: Causes, Concerns, and Prevention

namitajaspal1 Comment
Heritage Conservation, Painting Conservation

The Intricacies of Painting Conservation: Challenges & Solutions

Date: August 2025By: Heritage Preservation Atelier Pvt. Ltd. Introduction In the quiet archives of the Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh, a once-vibrant oil painting by renowned artist Kirpal Singh from 1968 sat shrouded under yellowed Japanese tissue, awaiting rescue. What began as a preservation effort 30 years ago had become a fragile mask over a flaking and wrinkled masterpiece. This blog post walks you … Continue reading The Intricacies of Painting Conservation: Challenges & Solutions

namitajaspalLeave a comment
Heritage Conservation, Photograph Conservation

Negatives in Early Photography

Capturing a fleeting moment onto a tangible surface for later recollection stands as one of humanity’s most transformative inventions. This material record of people, lives, and memories was not the result of a sudden discovery, but rather the culmination of years of scientific inquiry and experimentation. Long before photography became a formal discipline, many pioneers were seeking ways to create permanent impressions of the images … Continue reading Negatives in Early Photography

namitajaspalLeave a comment
Heritage Conservation, Painting Conservation

Acrylics in Art Conservation: Pros and Cons

Acrylic, as a material, occupies a nuanced position in art conservation. The general hesitance around the use of acrylics in conservation stems from the potential risks they pose to artworks in certain contexts. However, there are specific instances where acrylic materials, particularly conservation-grade resins and in-painting colors, are both acceptable and preferred. Here’s a breakdown of where acrylics are considered problematic and where they are … Continue reading Acrylics in Art Conservation: Pros and Cons

namitajaspalLeave a comment