I’d just take a piece of lint-free, T-shirt, or bedsheet material, and put some Turpentine on it. (Pure, Spirits of Distilled Gum Turpentine).

Gently wipe the surface of the old painting with the Turpentine. Turpentine has a way of “conditioning” the dried surface of the painting. It “bites” into the surface, slightly softening the old, dried paint film. It won’t dissolve the paint; it will only condition it so that it will accept fresh paint better.

Then, you can perform all the “waking up” of the painting using a very thin application of medium that you wish. But, gosh, ….don’t allow it to dry for a day as was recommended in that article. Apply a bit of medium to the surface on which you want to apply paint, and apply paint into it while it is still wet.

I just painted over some areas of a painting I painted in 2005. I didn’t so anything to condition or prepare the surface and had no problems. I have revised or revisited paintings after a few years on a number of occasions and never have had any problem adding new layers of paint. I know others have mentioned new paint beading up on older surfaces and I presume this is more likely if more medium was used and the surface is glossier. I don’t use any mediums either.

Don

I just painted over a painting that I did thirty years ago. I fixed some areas and I like it much better now. I just rubbed the areas with a scotchbrite pad, then applied some liquin and painted.

Sid,
Why put it on the canvas and not in your paint?
To help soften?

Cheers,
Brad

I use whatever medium I am using, as a couch, then I also use it in paint mixes if needed. I believe a couch of medium promotes adhesion of the wet paint to the dry paint, some of the medium will more readily penetrate a bit into the tiny pores than just thick paint. A couch also makes application go on smoother or easier.

Interesting, thanks,
Brad