Help with image editing please

[sunandfog]

I am trying to scan a painting done by a relative to use as a border for a funeral order of service. When I scan it in some shadows and creases show up on the scanned images. How can I bleach out the whole of the background so it is pure white. I am not great with tech!

The painting has been done as a border and then I am supposed to be adding text into the middle. I can add the text but would really like to make the border more crisp by removing these shadows if possible.

Thank you if anyone is able to assist!

If you send it to me I'll have a go. Just pm it. Can't promise mind!

If you put some weight on the scanner lid when scanning, it may get rid these shadows. What programme/app will you use to edit the programme? If Word, you could create a text box with a white background in the middle of the frame to cover any unwanted marks.

Oh thanks guys! The creases are showing on the outer edge of the border (not just where the text will go) if that makes sense.

So I was editing on paint with a white paintbrush - but then the bits I've 'painted' on are too white in comparison to the rest of the background. It will probably do but if I can solve this problem I'd like to learn how as the elderly relative who has done the paintings would love to make some other stationery too.

I'll definitely try weighing down the scanner lid

Take it to the local reprographic shop, they can scan it for you properly. If you want to cover it in MSPaint, then you need to sample the colour from the existing background, not just pick white.
Or you can stick a white rectangle in the middle. Or crop to the border if the shadowing is on the outside.
Honestly, it's impossible to give you options without seeing the image. I have only very vague idea what the problem is. Can you attach it to the post, please

Can you brighten up the image? Or scan it on your phone as a PDF, and not an actual scanner?