This project was intended to repair a statue which had spent decades in a church storage area where it was exposed to climate changes.  Although conservation of the piece would have sustained its monetary value, the church was more interested in stabilizing the structure and restoring its appearance.   We started by thoroughly cleaning the piece and carefully removing layers of brittle flaking paint. Chalkware statue repair and sculpture restoration requires a skilled artistic hand and a lot of patience.  

Because conservation was not an issue, modern epoxy materials were used to reinforce soft plaster areas especially at the base.  A two part epoxy clay was used to solidify the joined area of the new hand and a base for the new cast. The solid foundation would be much stronger than the previous appendage and able to withstand touching and cleaning from the parishioners.  

The chipped and flaking paint had to be removed before it was repainted.  We found large areas of fine cracks and mold where water had collected and discolored the plaster.  These areas had to be repaired before we could seal the statue with a base coat.  The hairline cracks were carefully tunneled out and backfilled with new plaster.  The surface was then buffed to a smooth grade.  The chipped areas left uneven surfaces which also had to be filled and buffed.  Once the surface preparation was complete, the statue was covered in a primer base coat that would help guard against future cracking and mold growth.  The statue was then airbrushed with several light layers of different shades to mimic light changes.   The client wanted the piece restored with rich colors rather than the original palate. We followed the traditional palate known for St. Patrick Statuary.  

Hand painting was used to replicate the decorative scroll work on his robes and to make his eyes have a more realistic appearance.   The end results can be viewed above.