Damaged, Icon, Fix It

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Diminutive but not without big problems, this Greek icon promises great things but the path to redemption won't come without a bit of effort.
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[BaumgartnerRestoration]

Hi! A few folks below pointed out that during the retouching process I covered up a "W" and "O" (an "N" was totally lost.) This wasn't deliberate and the fact is I totally missed it on the first pass and thought those were losses. The letting was so faint and tiny and not being an expert in icons it wasn't on my radar. That however is no excuse and the icon is on it's way back so that I can correct the issue.

While 100% perfect 100% of the time is the goal it's simply not realistic and sometimes we're fallible. This is one of the primary reasons I exclusively use archival and reversible materials, from adhesives to varnishes and yes, paints. So that if a correction needs to be made; a slight change in the color, the addition of something that was lost or in this case the removal of retouching over the original is necessary it's quick, safe and easy to do.

I'll be sure to post a follow up video on this once I receive the icon and talk a bit about the process of removing the varnish and retouching and why I missed it. Spoiler: I'm human and it does happen. 🤷‍♂️

[jonah]

I need Julian to fix my broken soul and spirit in this manner. "Yes, it looks shattered now, but nothing we can't fix. We will coat him in washicozo and fish gelatin..." These are so soothing

[ScottHebertArt]

imagine brining your painting into Julian to get restored and he creates this beautiful video and does great work and then at the end he hits you with the ICON FIX IT pun. >.<

[alexalexiadis]

Hello to everyone from Greece!!
I leave in Greece and I made a little research about this icon!!!I see the Greek letters and this icon is from Serres(Σερρες)a town in north Greece!In this town it appears to call Virgin Mary with this name (ΜΗΡ ΘΟΥ Η ΕΛΕΟΥΣΑ)which it protects pregnant woman from eclampsia!! Julian made a very good job to this Greek Orthodox Icon...also Virgin Mary holds baby Jesus in her arms, the reveal is stunning!

[olafowl]

It amazes me how Julian uploads rather frequently, especially considering the Huge amount of work he has just from restoring

[FoxDusk]

Man, as a fossil preparator, I've found myself thinking back to Julian's techniques that he's accumulated over his career. I've come to realize that some of his cleaning methods also apply to fossil cleaning and repair! I now tend to roll my own cotton swabs and I also have been increasingly using novel methods to reach a finished and cleaned piece. Watching his videos, for me, is both entertainingly soothing and educational! I'm always curious if there's another way I can improve my workmanship on how to more effectively complete projects!

[TaraHisakata]

Julian, do you ever find antiques for your own home and restore them just for you? Do you have any favorite pieces you have collected over the years?

[Will_Salcedo]

24:27 RIP the O, W, N on the child's halo.

[TheNinjaKiwi]

Julian, if you ever decide to make a podcast and just read the Dictionary of Conservation I would be a subscriber for life. Your videos are some of the best and most calming videos on the internet, bar none.

[jeremysalkeld]

24:47: I'm pretty sure that was covering up paint that was supposed to be there. A nimbus of omicron, omega, nu is a pretty standard feature of icons of Jesus.

[Masaki_]

24:47 On the halo on the right, left and top are three Greek letters — O (omicron), W (omega) and N (nu), forming the word. This inscription is of a fundamental nature, since it indicates the Deity of Jesus Christ. Being is one of the names of God. In the Greek tradition, the letters are arranged as follows: O (omicron) on the left, W (omega) at the top, and N (nu) on the right.

[magellantv]

Everything about this video is beautiful.

[peterbockholm]

I lived in a monastery for some years and saw many icons in this condition. I always looked at them trying to imagine what they would look like if they were clean. It's inevitable that many get dirty due to the environment they're in, with many candles and incense for example. Cleaning them is strangely enough often of low priority or even a non-issue. Icons often are supposed to have "patina" and cleaning them could make them look to new.

[vandergrad]

Every time I watch one of his videos, I am reminded of how many fields of study that Julian needs to be skilled in, in order to properly restore a piece... Chemist, Carpenter, Engineer, Artist, Art Historian... are there any that I've missed?

[Valhayden-juxt]

I'm just a blue collar worker that just happened to watch your series, I have learned so much that I didn't know about art. Your a great teacher.

[lauraw]

Something we don’t typically hear is the approximate age of the art you work on. Can you include that in your videos? 🥰

[jessicanielsen]

Okay, hear me out... a cleaning complilation... 🥰🥰. I know that Julian edits with time in mind, but I am always wanting more of the cleaning and varnish removal... the appearance of long hidden colors and details makes me so happy

[MoondustManwise]

Considering how often Julian prefers the medium of artificial adhesives, seeing him use hide glue is always like stepping off the last stair only to realize there was one more stair beneath that you just missed walking down.

[helenshepard]

I had forgotten how badly this painting was damaged. So glad Julian can do anything needed, and then some. He is the master.

[EmmitWest]

Never have I wanted to witness the client's reaction to seeing a restored painting more than this one. Surely they had no idea what was underneath.