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All About Varnishing Your Painting

Selecting the Right Varnish for Your PaintingSelecting the Right Varnish for Your Painting
Selecting the Right Varnish for Your Painting

Artists varnish their paintings for a variety of reasons.

  1. Protection: Varnish creates a protective barrier over the surface of the painting, which can help to protect it from dust, dirt, and other environmental factors that can cause damage over time.

  2. Gloss and sheen: Varnish can create a glossy sheen that can enhance the appearance of a painting and make the colors appear more vibrant.

  3. Preservation of the original appearance: Varnish can help to preserve the original appearance of a painting by slowing down the aging process and providing protection from ultraviolet light.

  4. Restoration: Varnish can be applied to restore the painting surface. For example, in the case of an older painting, the old varnish can be removed, and a new varnish applied to bring back the original colors.

  5. Final touch: A varnish coat can be applied as the final touch before the painting is presented to the public or for sale. This can help to make the painting look more finished and polished.

If you decide to apply a varnish to your painting, you must decide on the type of varnish, method of application, and desired final appearance. The following discussion can help you make the right choice for your artwork. Read Selecting The Right Varnish For Your Painting to select the best varnish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a painting varnish?

A varnish is a final transparent coating on the surface of acrylic, oil, and tempera paintings. These varnishes have protective and aesthetic functions, although their aesthetic function is probably the more important one. Varnishes change the appearance of paintings dramatically, affecting color saturation and gloss.

Why do artists varnish their paintings?

Artists varnish their paintings for various reasons.

  • Protection: Varnish creates a protective barrier over the surface of the painting, which can help to protect it from dust, dirt, and other environmental factors that can cause damage over time.
  • Gloss and sheen: Varnish can create a glossy surface that can enhance the appearance of a painting and make the colors appear more vibrant.
  • Preservation of the original appearance: Varnish can help to preserve the original appearance of a painting by slowing down the aging process and providing protection from ultraviolet light.
  • Restoration: Varnish can be applied to restore the painting surface. For example, in the case of an older painting, the old, discolored varnish can be removed, and a new varnish applied to bring back the original colors.
  • Final touch: A varnish coat can be applied as the final touch before the painting is presented to the public or for sale. This can help to make the painting look more finished and polished.

It's worth noting that varnishing a painting should be done by a professional conservator or artist that understands how to use varnish. Improperly applying varnish or using the wrong type of varnish can damage the painting, so it's important to ensure the process is done correctly.

Why does varnish make paintings look better?

Often, completed paintings have an uneven sheen. A varnish can even out the surface of the painting, providing a unified matte or glossy appearance. A varnish can increase the color saturation of a painting. One way that varnish can increase the color saturation of a painting is by creating a glossy surface that reflects more light. This can make the colors appear more vibrant and intense.

‎Which varnish is best for painting?

The best varnish for painting depends on the type of painting and the desired final appearance. The main type of varnish used for paintings is spirit varnishes. These varnishes consist of a resin dissolved in a solvent, such as turpentine. These varnishes are made from natural or synthetic resins and can be applied as a final varnish or isolation coat. They are typically used for acrylic, oil, and tempera paintings and can be removed with solvents if needed. They are available in gloss, semi-gloss, and matte finishes. Conservators prefer removable varnishes because it allows them to remove the varnish if it has yellowed over time or if the painting needs to be retouched. It's important to note that the varnish should be compatible with the paint and medium used in the painting; otherwise, it may cause discoloration or cracking. It is also recommended to test the varnish on a small area before applying it to the entire painting.

How many coats of varnish should you put on a painting?

The number of coats of varnish that should be applied to a painting can vary depending on the type of varnish, the surface of the painting, and the desired final appearance. Generally, it is recommended to apply at least two thin coats of varnish to a painting.

  • First coat: The first coat of varnish is applied as soon as the painting is dry enough, and it's called an "isolation coat." This coat serves to protect the painting and also helps to create an even surface for the final varnish.
  • Final coat: The final coat of varnish protects the painting, enhances its appearance, and creates a uniform surface.

It's important to allow each coat of varnish to dry completely before applying the next one. Each coat should be applied thinly and evenly to avoid drips, bubbles, or uneven surfaces.

It's worth noting that some paintings may require more than two coats of varnish, especially if the painting surface is uneven.

How long do you have to wait before varnishing a painting?

Waiting at least six months is still the best practice for most paintings. Instead, an artist may use (with due caution) the test (described here) as a method to determine when the painting is ready to varnish if you cannot wait the prescribed six months.

How long should varnish dry before applying a second coat?

The drying time of varnish can vary depending on the type of varnish, the humidity and temperature of the environment, and the thickness of the coat. Generally, it is recommended to wait at least 24 hours before applying a second coat of varnish. This is because varnishes are resoluble, and the more time you allow between coats, the less prone a varnish layer is to reactivate. More drying time also facilitates easier secondary application.

It's important to wait for the varnish to dry before applying the second coat. The varnish should be dry and not tacky before the next coat is applied.

It's also important to keep in mind that the drying time may be affected by the humidity and temperature of the environment. High humidity or low temperature can slow the drying process, while low humidity or high temperature can speed it up. It's recommended to consult the varnish manufacturer's instructions, as they may have specific recommendations regarding the drying time before applying a second coat.

What happens if you varnish an oil painting too soon?

Applying varnish to an oil painting too soon can cause several problems:

  • Sinking: If the painting is not fully dry when the varnish is applied, the varnish can sink into the surface of the painting, creating an uneven and cloudy appearance.
  • Discoloration: If the paint is not fully dry, the varnish can cause the paint to discolor, especially if the paint has not been fully cured.
  • Bubbles: Applying varnish on an oil painting that is not dry can result in bubbles forming in the varnish. This can cause an uneven surface and may ruin the appearance of the painting.
  • Cracking: If the paint is not dry, the varnish can crack as the painting dries; this can cause damage to the painting's surface.
  • Improper adhesion: If the paint is not dry, the varnish will not adhere properly to the surface of the painting, which can cause the varnish to flake or peel off over time.

It's important to wait until the painting is completely dry before applying varnish; this can take weeks or even months, depending on the type of paint and medium used. It's recommended to consult the paint manufacturer's instructions or seek the advice of a professional conservator to determine when the painting is ready to varnish.

What happens if you varnish an acrylic painting too soon?

Varnishing an acrylic painting too soon can cause similar problems as varnishing an oil painting too soon. Acrylic paint dries faster than oil paint, usually within minutes or hours, but it's not fully cured until it has dried for several days to several weeks. This means that the paint can be dry to the touch but still be in the process of curing. It's important to wait until the painting is completely dry and fully cured before applying varnish. It's recommended to consult the paint manufacturer's instructions or seek the advice of a professional conservator to determine when the painting is ready to varnish.

Do you need a special brush to apply varnish?

It is recommended to use a special brush to apply varnish. A varnish brush is typically made of natural hair, such as sable, which is well-suited for applying varnish because they hold a good amount of liquid and release it evenly. Synthetic hair brushes may be a better choice today because synthetic hairs are soft and flexible to create an even and smooth surface. They are also more resistant to the solvents used in varnishes.

It's important to use a clean brush when applying varnish, as any debris or dust on the brush can cause bubbles or streaks on the surface of the painting. It's also important to ensure that the brush is appropriate for the type of varnish you use; some may require a different brush.

It's worth noting that one can also use a sprayer to apply varnish. This tool is useful if you want to apply varnish quickly on a large surface, but they are not recommended for heavily textured paintings or intricate areas. A foam brush or roller is not recommended for applying varnish to a painting because they often create air bubbles.

What is the difference between a picture or final varnish, a retouch varnish, and an isolating varnish?

The are three main types of varnishes used in painting:

  • A final varnish is the last layer of the painting that serves to protect the paint surface from dirt and dust, the effects of ultraviolet light and oxidation, and abrasion from handling.
  • Retouch varnish is a solution greatly thinned with solvent and applied in thin films. Its purpose is to make a portion of a painting you're working on that appears dried out or sunken in look wet again.
  • An isolation coat is a clear, non-removable coating that physically separates the paint surface from the final varnish.
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