I’m Joanna Payne ACR, an independent art conservator based in West London since 1984. I specialise in the conservation and restoration of works of art on paper from the 16th century up to the present day. This includes watercolours, drawings, prints, wallpapers and objects made of paper.
I am an Accredited Member of Icon, equipping me with a proficient level of competence, sound judgement and in-depth knowledge of the principles which underpin conservation practice.
Comprehensive Technical Investigation
Research has taken up a large part of my career, and I consider it to be one of my greatest strengths. I believe my curiosity towards understanding how paintings are made heightens the visual sensitivity I require as an Easel Paintings Conservator, which has led me to unexpected discoveries whilst carrying out conservation treatments.
I provide services of interpreting technical information gathered from both non-invasive and invasive analytical methods; such as X-radiography, UV, IR, and elemental pigment analysis using XRF and SEM-EDX & medium analysis using staining tests on cross-sections taken from paintings.
Gainsborough Studios (during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations)
Filming of Chinese wallpaper conservation project
At entrance to the conservation studio
Handmade Japanese wheatstarch paste used in conservation
One of over 100 pictures conserved from the Dogma Collection, a privately owned, not for profit propaganda art collection based in Vietnam
Conservation in action
After/before conservation of a pencil drawing
Accredited members
Joanna Payne ACR
Joanna Payne’s experience in art conservation stretches over four decades. She completed three years of conservation courses at Camberwell School of Arts & Crafts, London in 1978. She was awarded the Certificate in Paper Conservation (Merit) and the Diploma in Prints & Drawings Conservation (Merit). Courses covered paper making, paper chemistry, practical conservation treatments, art history, printmaking techniques and the study of books, vellum and paper artefacts. After graduating, Joanna gained experience working for Rob Dixon Fine Prints near Oxford for three years. It was after this, in 1984, that she established Joanna Payne Conservation, an independent conservation studio in Holland Park, London. Between 1994 and 1998, she lived in Tokyo, part-time studying Japanese papermaking & printmaking. In 2000, Joanna Payne established her current conservation studio in Chiswick, West London, in a 19th century (well-secured) artist’s studio.
Client testimonials
Richard Saltoun Gallery has brought 20th & 21st Century works on paper to Joanna Payne Conservation’s studio for many years. Some have complex problems & Joanna Payne is always on hand, with her great experience, to offer advice & solutions. She sometimes works on very large pictures for us & often to short deadlines. We trust her judgement & treatments, & hope our collaborations continue for many years. Many of our works have ended up in museum collections all over the world.
Richard Saltoun
Director of Richard Saltoun Gallery
Joanna Payne ACR & I have liaised over a number of years when she advised on the condition of the collections (works of art on paper) at Royal Holloway, University of London. She carried out onsite surveys to help us assess the conservation needs of the collections when we were working towards Arts Council accreditation. This enabled us to draw up conservation plans and strategies. Each financial year she did conservation treatments within budget & made treatment records. She & I liaised with a conservation mounter & framer. She is great to work with and over the years I am really proud that the condition of the collection improved greatly with her help.
Dr. Laura MacCulloch
Royal Holloway College, University of London