How do I get paint flecks off of an antique oil painting?

I would call a local art studio in your area and ask them what they would use to remove the flecks and to repair the damages - maybe it is some quick and easy thing

Then there are the art restorers who do this kind of work. Is there a museum nearby that can offer you advice on who to contact? Maybe they could help.

An art professor could possible steer you toward somebody.

If you attempt to hand color in the dots, you will have multiple raised "bumps" on the surface and they will be noticeable

Best to you and a great question..

I agree you need a pro to remove the paint, clean the painting, and make the repair. The painting may be valuable.

I would take it to a professional to restore it.

Thanks. The University has a museum and I’ll give them a call.

If I take it to a gallery, I suspect they won’t reveal their sources and “do it for me” and then mark up their vendors’ fees by 25%.

Hello, a pro is the best choice, especially if it's sentimental to you.

Hi,

If there is an ART CONSERVATOR in your area, Give them a call.

If this was mine I wouldn't mess around take it to someone who does this type of thing for a living.

Call an art gallery in your neighborhood and ask what they would use to restore the painting. Call a College art department.

Hi there, I agree with you. It will be better to hand color the paint spills with oil paint. Is the painting valuable?

Hello. One more try might be considered. First I might try to apply some moisture and see if the defect might soak off or begin to unseat. I would suggest trying a very small piece of paper towel and apply some water and try sitting there exactly on your spot on the oil painting. It may help to unattach or loosening it. Something very small to try to remove it like a vinyl weeding tool or needle approaching it from a lateral position might be advised. Most all paintings are sealed with varnishes shellacs our other sealers. The spotting should be sitting on the sealer —-not the actual painting.

A very small amount of water like a quarter teaspoon on a paper towel likely will not affect your sealed painting.

Or as you suggest some a talented art student probably could do the project easily for you.

If you’re not ready to try another removal approach that’s understandable. If you do hand color the spotting you may need to consider another sealer as your paint will have different vibrancy and sheen than the existing old paint. A spray sealer rated for canvas artwork would be suggested after sheen color correction. Often they come in different sheens like gloss satin and matte that would be your personal determination.

Also you can seal and repair your unintended tear from the backside using a patch method. I’ve done those times before when my canvases experienced accidentally tears with moving, shipping or a fall. There may be some need to re-color the front side slit fiber edge that could show the interior canvas or linens unpainted edges revealed by the opening. Hope this helps.

Here's a post that might help https://canvas.saatchiart.com/art/art-news/the-best-ways-to-care-for-clean-and-store-art#:~:text=The%20simplest%20way%20to%20clean,want%20to%20break%20hardened%20paint.

Professional evert time, unless you don't mind if your efforts cause more damage!