Some paintings can be restored to their original appearance while others, like watercolours, cannot. The process, on a single oil painting, can take between fifteen days to one year to complete, depending on the extent of the damage.

Sculptures are restored in much the same way as painting. Manuscripts require approximately three months to restore, sort and arrange.

Given the expertise required in this field, professional training is mandatory, as a damaged work could be ruined by an untrained person. Even after training, it is necessary to gain hands-on experience under an experienced guide. New entrants into the profession initially work under the guidance of an experienced restorer, handling larger responsibilities as they grow in expertise. It takes many years of experience before a qualified restorer is able to handle a work of art on his own.

Some colleges and universities offer courses in fine arts, or on the history of art. Graduates from these institutions then usually learn on-the-job, working as assistants to veteran restorers.

The Institute of History of Art, Conservation and Museology at the National Museum in New Delhi has set up a faculty for conservation science which offers full-time courses in art restoration and conservation. Graduates in any of the sciences are eligible for admission. Candidates with a knowledge of the fine arts, though, are at an advantage. Selection is made on the basis of an aptitude test, and approximately 10-12 students are admitted per batch. The Master’s degree is a two-year full-time course, while PhD would take five years. Some artists also join the course in order to understand the process of deterioration and be able to protect their own work. They also feel that the course gives them more practice and helps them develop a steady hand. The Institute also offers short-term certificate courses in Indian Art and Culture, and Art Appreciation.

The Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat (CKP) College of Fine Arts, Karnataka's premier art college offers a two-year job oriented certificate course in art restoration. This is a vocational course aimed at providing technical education for rural youth.

In recent years, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has set up restoration facilities with some trained specialists. INTACH also organises training and capacity building workshops in the field of conservation, restoration and preservation of specific works of art in order to provide expertise and encourage community skills. INTACH also offers restoration and conservation facilities to private collectors and institutions.

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