Brick House Conservation Ltd

22 Apr 2025

The Brick House Conservation studio specialises in the conservation and restoration of Fine Art. We are a team of professionally qualified and Icon Accredited painting conservators, working closely with clients to protect, restore and care for artworks, dedicated to providing exquisite levels of completion.

Collectively we have decades of experience conserving wide genres of art, from historic masterpieces to modern and contemporary paintings. We love a challenge, implementing traditional and innovative techniques, alongside new research and modern materials, enabling a holistic approach as individual as the artwork itself.

Our approach is meticulous, methodical and creative, informed by science and provenance, underpinned by professional and ethical standards. We are passionate about preserving works of art for present and future generations to enjoy.

Recent conservation projects on artworks by Sir Peter Paul Rubens and Angelica Kauffman were featured on the BBC series ‘Hidden Treasures of The National Trust’.

We have a proven track record working for an extensive array of private clients, collectors, museums and institutions across the South and look forward to working with you.

Painting Conservation & Restoration

The Brick House studio undertakes a broad variety of remedial, preventative and restorative conservation treatments for paintings including:

Removal of accumulated surface dirt · Cleaning of discoloured varnish layers
Consolidation of flaking paint
Repairing torn canvas or stabilising broken elements
Restoring water or fire damaged paint
Pest damage
Reconstructive fills
Retouching of paint losses

We offer various techniques and a range of natural, traditional and modern synthetic materials to enable each painting and issue to be treated on an individual basis. Each treatment is completed with written and photographic documentation for your records in line with professional standards.

Frames

We have a workshop dedicated to frames, implementing museum standards alongside traditional craft-based workmanship to carefully protect and present your artwork.

Structural repairs to damaged frames
Wood carving
Restoration of traditional composite, plaster and gesso
Cleaning oil and water gilded surfaces
Gilding
Reglazing with UV filters, low reflect and contemporary boxes
Conservation mounting for works of art on paper
Preventative conservation measures
Loan preparations for exhibitions and travel
Bespoke frames

Collections Care and Consultancy

We are on hand to offer advice, solutions and practical logistics as part of a Collections Care and Management service including:

Collections and Documentation
Movement
Storage
Access
Exhibitions

Working in the heritage sector over 25 years has given us the experience and knowledge to provide clients with a museum-quality service on a short or long-term basis, for a single work of or an entire collection. We are well connected and valued by a network of leading museum-quality specialists, enabling us to deliver the best service to international standards.

Selected clients over the years include Dorset Museum, Mucha Foundation, Gainsborough’s House, Palace of Westminster, Russell Cotes, Watts Gallery, Sidney Nolan Trust, Southampton City Art Gallery, Royal Collection Trust

Fine Art Courier Service

BH10 Transit offers a reliable and professional courier service for your Fine Art.

Whether you need to transport artwork to an exhibition venue, another institution, or rehousing your own collection, we provide a personalised service to ensure each artwork is documented and transported with utmost care and attention to detail.

With decades of experience conserving works of art, installing exhibitions, and international courier work, our team of Art Technicians understand the importance of art handling, condition checks, bespoke packaging, security, and environmental conditions, providing full ability to courier your artworks safely and efficiently.

Studio Practicalities

Our purpose fitted conservation studios on the Hampshire Wiltshire border are securely monitored and maintained in line with requirements for insurance and museum policies. The studios are easily accessible by lorries delivering larger works of art.

In addition to studio treatments, we are able to adapt our studio to facilitate working on site.

We hold Employers Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance cover for Conservators.

Consolidation

Consolidation may be required to stabilise the artwork before further stages of conservation are possible. Often one of the most complex operations requiring dexterity and informed judgement.

Condition report

Documentation is one of the key steps to conservation, recording the current condition of a painting prior to its conservation treatment, sale or exhibition loan. We can format reports and surveys to your individual requirements.

Surface Cleaning

Layers of dirt build up over time and can become ingrained on the surface of a painting, obscuring the composition. Removal of dirt such as smoke or nicotine reveals the colours, fine detail or brushwork originally intended by the artist.

Expertise

Our conservators are highly qualified postgraduate Masters of Art and senior conservators also Accredited by Icon. Collectively we aim to offer a minimal approach, working in accordance with professional and ethical standards including reversible materials and techniques.

Varnish Removal

Traditionally, paintings were varnished with a natural resin varnish to saturate colours and protect the surface. However these are prone to darkening and yellowing, disguising the artists’ original colours and intentions. Following examination and tests, they may be carefully removed by a conservator.

Structural Treatments

Damaged paintings can undergo different forms of structural repair such as tear repair, lining or panel reconstruction to impart strength and stabilise the artwork ready for restorative treatment.

Retouching

Historic paint losses or extensive craquelure can be visually disturbing and detract from the artist’s original composition. Losses are intricately filled and sympathetically in-painted using reversible materials to visually cohere.

Materials & techniques

Our expertise encompass both traditional craft based skills alongside new modern materials and techniques, enabling a wide approach to the individual challenges of each artwork.

Frame conservation

We have the studio facilities to conserve both painting and their accompanying frame, implementing museum standard glazing and preventative conservation measures alongside traditional craft based restorations to provide a complete service.

Paper Conservation

Works of art on paper require various treatments ranging from mounting using quality acid-free materials, to treating mould, water damage, tear mending and retouching. The longevity of provenance labels can be prolonged by expert treatment and protective measures.

Photographic documentation

We document artworks in infrared, ultraviolet and colour using full-frame cameras. Additionally, we offer a parallel panoramic scanning technique that stitches multiple macro images into ultra-high-resolution files, revealing surface detail and hidden features. This multispectral approach supports conservation, research, and archival needs with exceptional clarity across visible and invisible wavelengths.

Collections Management

We are able to offer museum-quality Collections care and management service. This could involve collection documentation, movement, storage and exhibitions and access, whether for a single work of art or an entire collection, it is always bespoke and tailored to your requirements.

Working On Site

On site work can involve the condition survey of a large number of artworks to catalogue assess their conservation requirements, or in-situ remedial treatment or implementing preventative measures. We have the capacity to oversee filming in historic properties and the expertise to curate and install exhibitions.

Art Handling & Transit

BH10 Transit is our professional art courier service for the safe accompanying and delivery of your Fine Art. We understand the importance of art handling and condition checks, implement bespoke packaging, security, and environmental conditions to safely deliver collections of artworks.

Technical Analysis & Research

Examining artworks under infrared, UV, and microscopy we can reveal details unseen with the naked eye. It provides an insight into an artist’s technique, and deeper understanding of the condition and history of each artwork.

Accredited members

April Johnson ACR

April Johnson MA ACR has over 25 years of experience as a Paintings Conservator, professionally Accredited by Icon in 2012 and Director of The Brick House studios.

‘April is a very experienced conservator and also very professional and efficient.’ Christine Sitwell, former Paintings Conservation Adviser for the National Trust

Ambrose Scott-Moncrieff ACR

Ambrose has decades of experience working in both private and public sectors as a Conservator of Easel Paintings, and accredited by the Institute of Conservation.

Client testimonials

Just to say thank you so much for your work on this painting. I think your results are outstanding and it is lovely seeing on display in Portcullis House. Great choice of frame too. I also appreciate how quickly you turned this round. It was a big ask and both you and Clare did a wonderful job. Very many thanks to you both.

Caroline Babbington ACR
Former Collections Care Manager at the Palace of Westminster

Over the years, conservation on our collections by April and The Brick House has been second to none. I have been complimented many a time by conservators and curators from museums in the UK and beyond on the condition of our paintings treated and the standard of their work.

In her work as a conservator you can see how April keeps up with the latest developments and techniques. As a Curator I can discuss potential treatment options and rely on her judgement.

April is highly professional, not only in the technical aspects of her work but also with administrative ones such as estimating prices, invoicing and time management. She is always willing to talk to our visitors and participated in public engagement events with us to great success.

Working with The Brick House is an absolute pleasure and we are hugely happy and confident with the work they do on our collection.

Duncan Walker MA AMA
Curator, Russell Cotes Museum & Art Gallery

Thank you so very much for all your hard work conserving Hannah! She looks so much happier to be clean and refreshed. I'm amazed how much detail was revealed.

The frame is as it should have been, no one would ever guess it was so badly chipped and broken. Such skill in the workmanship, absolutely fabulous! I've enjoyed reading the report and was fascinated by all the photos showing the processes and progress, amazing!

Thank you so much, you have done an incredible job bringing her back to how she was when she was first seen in 1760. With my very best wishes and looking forward to our next painting being cleaned!

Mrs Whitlock
Private Client March 2025

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