November 3-7, 2025
Instructor: Stacey Styles-*BIO HERE*
Cost: $1,000.00
Capacity: 10 participants
Questions: info@huthmakerviolins.com
*REGISTER HERE*

Course Description
Retouching varnish is perhaps the most difficult aspect of a successful repair.
This course is designed to provide a solid baseline from which to address
most varnish retouching scenarios. Instruction will be generated in part by the
projects on hand. Professionals in the field will find this a valuable
opportunity to develop and refine their skills.

The retouch challenges that one encounters in a professional repair shop
include excessive varnish wear and deterioration due to injury, and the
retouching of repairs including cracks, grafts, edges, etc. Participants will
arrive with their own projects in need of varnish retouching. All
woodworking and structural repairs will have already been completed. Each
project will proceed from initial varnish analysis, cleaning, color and varnish
application to finishing off with final surface treatment and patina.

Topics to be covered include

• Learning to look at varnishes, including using UV light to understand and
  approach the restoration of damaged varnish.
• Cleaning original varnishes and the removal of old retouch.
• Filling cracks and voids, and otherwise preparing an area for successful
  retouching.
• Coloring new wood repairs to match the old wood.
• Mixing varnishes, including the introduction of matting agents.
• Pigments, dyes and how to build a color field.
• Using “eye psychology”, to add features that blend and distract
• Refinishing a neck
• Blending old and new, adding patina.

Some basic retouch materials will be provided so that participants may try the techniques exactly as demonstrated by the instructor. However, participants will be expected to bring some of their own small tools and materials and especially their own brushes. A detailed list of good retouching brushes and suggested materials will be provided. More details will be shared with participants as the class approaches.