A Crucifix Restoration

With a missing arm and several old repairs, this crucifix was in need of a full restoration.  After a cleaning and stabilizing of the crumbling plaster, I went to work resculpting the arm.  Once the initial build was dry, a long process of removal began, as I sanded down the arm and sculpted in the muscles.  Final tweaking was done, then all repaired areas were primed.  The painting was done in two steps.  First was to cover the primed areas with a base color that closely matched the aged and mottled finish of the original painted areas.  Next was the blending of the old and new paint through a series of glazes.  Finally the figure, INRI plate and the wooded cross were varnished with three coats of matte finish to help reduce the imperfections in the old finish and to preserve the piece for many years to come.  It arrived safe and sound in Detroit this week, to much happiness of the man who commissioned the work of this family heirloom.