The idea to work on old maps was created more than 20 years ago as a result of our interest in the art, history and geography.
Maps that we make are a homage to medieval explorers and cartographers. They have evolved into today's appearance after a lot of learning, researching and experimenting with old painting techniques and technologies.

The original old maps after digital processing are transferred to the highest quality cotton paper.
Attaching on a hard surface that could be aquarelles and that the paper does not curl.
After attaching, terracotta coating is applied around the edges which are subsequently over-coated with shellac.
The map is colored by hand or existing color basis is re painted to receive the intensity.
Then the whole map is coated with shellac solution.
The glue is applied on the map edges for the golden leaves.
Then we perform gilding of the gold leaves.
Patina is applied on the gliding.
The processes of burns are manually controlled.
Then dense shellac is applied again and after drying the additional bitumen from Judea is applied.
The map appearance is controlled and if it is necessary we re-color stain but this time with oil paints because previously aquarelle area closed shellac and become water repellent.
Applying of oil paint dries for about 6 hours and map (the central part without gold) again exceeds shellac.
The dried map is coated in antique wax and, if necessary, blind handled with various vignettes in the corners.
Then we framed it in handmade moldings.
For this we use special African wood called Ayous.
The technique of applying of several layers of paint and patina (up to 11 layers) is special and totally original.

023 20150413 162339 TH024 20150413 162356 TH