The problem is, which kind of varnish? If varnish does drip over the side of your canvas or wood panel, there is a chance it might stick to the surface below. ).But I kept reminding myself that I was using removable varnish so a painting wouldn't be permanently 'ruined' even if I did. Allow for the painting to dry … How to Put Varnish on Acrylic Painting. To apply an isolation coat, use an acrylic gel medium or gel gloss such as Golden Soft Gel Gloss, diluted with water. Otherwise, the hairs of your brush may remain stuck in You may or may not know that after creating an oil painting, you must varnish it. Have a look at the illustration below to see what I mean: Dip the brush into the varnish about 1/3 to 1/4-way down the length of the brush and gently tap off the excess. As a final step, apply the best varnishing techniques to protect your artwork, and getting it ready to hang or to be sold. I typically varnish all my paintings using Golden Polymer Gloss Varnish. Not cool! Jo Sonja's Water Based Polyurethane Varnish is a clear, non-yellowing coating that can be used on acrylic paintings. But lately I’ve found a system that works for me, and makes it possible to create a 100% perfect finish at all viewing angles under all lighting circumstances. You can also use soap and water to clean an acrylic painting, but you might lower its value if you accidentally damage it. If you're using a polymer varnish like I am, then in the jar, mix the correct ratio of varnish and water as instructed on the bottle of varnish. Be sure your oil paintings are completely dry before varnishing. On acrylic paintings, apply an isolation coat of Atelier Fast Medium or Binder Medium to seal your painting prior to varnishing. Typically any brush can get the job done if it satisfies certain qualities. Usually that means about 17-20 paintings. While differences in sheen can occur, a varnish layer helps unifying it all out. To clean an acrylic painting, use a soft-bristled brush to lightly dust it. If you try to varnish the painting while it's hanging on a wall, for example, … Sometimes I use my fingernails for this (even though they are not pointy). Next, I use an eyedropper to place a few drops of varnish onto my painting. In dry, room temperature conditions, that should only take a few days. When acrylic paint dries, the texture is more soft and malleable than oil based paints. One question, can I use an acrylic varnish like those produced by Winsor and Newton to protect an oil painting. The reason is that there will inevitably be little bits of paint stuck and dried to the inside, outside, or lip of the jar. Fixing dull paintings. By Thaneeya McArdle © 2008-2021 Thaneeya LLC. To varnish your acrylic painting you will need a large, flat brush that isn’t too stiff. In addition, applying an isolation coat allows for an easier removal process of varnish, in case you choose this option. When you're done, carefully and thoroughly clean the jar and the brush, and keep them someplace safe where they won't collect any dust. I don't trust removable varnish to be safe on acrylic like it is on oil. Paint Brushes For Varnishing Acrylic Paintings: What To Look For. Well, it is a good idea to apply an isolation coat on your paintings before varnishing. They include: An isolation coat is typically applied on the painting directly, before applying varnish. It is beneficial to familiarize yourself with this information before you embark on your own journey to create photorealistic paintings. Therefore, it's well-worth the small investment! Varnish comes in gloss, satin or matte finish. To varnish, always keep a separate glass jar or plastic cup aside exclusively for varnishing. Lately I’ve worked on some larger pieces, which has lowered my production in terms of quantity You can mix any of these types of varnish to get the exact finish that you are looking for, but it will take some experimentation! I often cover my painting with a board slightly larger than the canvas, resting it on props so it hovers and reduces the amount of dust that could fall on the wet varnish layer. Read more at the aforementioned link! Unfortunately, varnishing an acrylic painting is problematic because the dried acrylic paint layer is soluble in the solvents used to make most resin solutions. (If you're using a Mineral Spirit Acrylic Varnish (MSA Varnish), do not mix the varnish with water, and instead follow the instructions on the bottle.) Your acrylic painting is complete. One thing I want to quickly add at this point, is that if you want to photograph your painting, do it NOW - before it's been varnished. I was able to sit down and varnish several paintings all in one session and it really didn’t take that long! The painting is covered in a varnish / resin lacquer. Varnishing is a long-standing practice in both oil and acrylic painting in which a resinous or oil-based substance is spread thinly and evenly over the surface of the completed painting. Not to be used without permission. This means that the surface gets easily damaged because it sticks to anything and bits of paint can even come off. Large paintings can be leaned against a wall as soon as a varnish has set (Image 11). Varnish is a thin protective layer that creates a barrier between the acrylic paint, and all environmental factors, such as dirt, dust, moisture and air. If your painting is dull, it is easy to confuse the need for varnishing with the dullness created by colour that has sunk into the surface. Familiarize yourself with the Photorealist art movement by reading my overview of Photorealism. This includes the entire process with pictures; what materials to purchase, prices, tools to use, step by step construction, AND the painting process including subject matter, design, undercoating, drawing, blocking in, refining, and finishing touches. However, there are some added benefits for varnishing that you may want to consider before gulping that entire wine bottle and declaring victory. The first photo (below) is of those paintings before varnish and in the next two you can see the shiny finish after varnishing. Learn how to brush on or spray the varnish, and how to remove it. As a general rule, all acrylic paintings should be varnished. For varnishing such a large painting, I'd recommend using a larger brush size, something between 2 to 4 inches wide. Place the painting in a well lit room, and elevated from the ground. Instead, you. It's important to get a good quality brush for varnishing, so that you're not picking brush hairs out of the varnish. The isolation coat is used as a buffer to lessen the threat to the artwork. All photos, images and text are copyright protected. If it's the slightest bit wet, the varnish will mix with the wet paint and streak across the canvas. Learn how to brush on or It's probably fine, but as a perfectionist I'd rather mix a whole new varnish concoction. If the painting is on canvas, I prop it up with four equally-sized objects underneath each corner, where the stretcher bars connect. How to Create a Thick Gloss on Acrylic Paintings. To preserve acrylic paintings for a long time and keep them protected against UV lights, yellowing, and dust, apply one or more coats of varnish. So, I’d say apply an isolation coat first. Therefore, if the painting is on a wood panel, I prop it up by putting something underneath that will lift it from the surface of the wooden board. My fear was that I'd accidentally go over some varnish that had started to dry and cause it to go cloudy (and acrylic varnish dries very rapidly in a hot climate! Alternatively, using the smearing to create Make sure the surface is dry before varnishing. Varnishing Process I start out by selecting a painting for varnishing. Instead, you should “oil out” those sunken areas using Artists’ Painting Medium. The tub is very solid and stable, so I know it won't fall over if accidentally nudged. It is not. It is essential that you varnish your completed acrylic paintings. Place the artwork on a clean surface and place either plastic or paper underneath it, to protect the table or floor, Ensure your brush is wide enough, with soft bristles, Pour varnish into a shallow dish (make sure the dish has been cleaned before you start the process), Dip the brush into the varnish very lightly, and begin applying the coats in long and even strokes, It is important to work quickly, and ensure that each varnish stroke overlaps with the other, so there are no visible brush marks, Wait for the painting to completely dry before touching it, Place the artwork on a stand, vertically, away from walls or valuable items, Wipe the surface of the artwork with a clean cloth. If these get into your varnish or onto your varnishing brush, they will then stick to your painting. Varnishing There are many misconceptions about whether or not it’s necessary to varnish acrylic paintings. Making an acrylic paint waterproof is really a simple process and although varnishing can seem terrifying at first, I highly recommend that you practice first on smaller paintings or those that weren’t a success. Varnishing Supplies. This necessitates the use of solvents which might damage the paint layer for their Learning how to varnish an acrylic painting involves this kind of experimentation so that you get it just right. This serves two distinct purposes: to improve the overall visual quality of the painting and to protect the painting surface from the external environment. The varnish will protect the painting from dust, UV rays and yellowing. Since these paintings were sometimes on full sheets (4 ft. X 8 ft.) of Masonite type material, and were not protected behind I don't trust permanent varnishes to allow for easy If the colour has sunk then varnishing should be avoided. If the colour has sunk then varnishing should be avoided. (I’m no exception!) The varnishing process takes time to set up, so I like to do large batches at a time. The next step in how to varnish an acrylic painting: Lay the painting flat while varnishing, and make sure it's in a place where it can lie flat and undisturbed for a few hours while the varnish dries. Then I apply the second coat of varnish in the manner described above. Varnishing an acrylic painting can help preserve the paint over time. Oiling Out to Even the Gloss or Shine on a Painting. However, it is also important that it can be removed, which we will cover in the isolation coat section. And even those made for varnishing will not necessarily work for acrylic paintings or the varnish you intend to use. When varnishing for the first time, using a new varnish, or varnishing a surface you’re not familiar with, it never hurts to run a test! Typically, 6-months to 1-year. When brush varnishing graphite drawings, which consist only of a few lines, it can help to apply an acrylic medium on top of the drawing first, thereby following the graphite line closely. Varnishing isn’t difficult, but with any new skill, practice makes perfect! Hi, I have used Clear Coat on my acrylic paintings often but last night I used it while in my garage on 2 very large paintings. All Rights Reserved. Because it won't be used frequently (unless you create a lot of paintings at a phenomenal pace), it will last a long time. This way, you’ll Should I varnish acrylic painting? Acrylic paints can soften up in elevated temperatures, making them more vulnerable to damage. This is really important because if the paint is still wet, it can mix with the varnish causing a really noticeable mark on the painting. Before you varnish your painting, read through my page about how to varnish an acrylic painting, where I give tips and instructions about the best way to brush varnish onto your acrylic painting. Varnishing oil and acrylic paintings is at best a tricky and often misunderstood process. The isolation coat acts as a barrier between your painting and the varnish, protecting your painting from the chemicals that remove the varnish. Similar to painting, you should also use the appropriate acrylic paint brushes during varnishing. Read a current and historical overview of Photorealist painting techniques and methods. She has written for art magazines blogs, edited how-to art titles, and co-authored travel books. Do acrylic painting need varnish? The varnished side should be facing the wall, to reduce dust accumulation. There is a chance that any excess varnish might drip down the side of the painting, so I always lay down a wooden board to protect the surface underneath. After varnishing. The varnish will inevitably cause a glare if light is flashed upon it, making it difficult to photograph. Go for larger brushes having 2 to 4 inches of width for a large wood painting. If you like colorful artwork and want to learn techniques for creating your own funky paintings, this guide is for you! If you make a purchase via the links below I receive a small commission, which helps support this site. I varnished four of my acrylic canvas paintings with two coats 24 hours apart. As a final step, apply the best varnishing techniques to protect your artwork, and getting it ready to hang or to be sold. It was pretty chilly and when I can back to look at them they had dried cloudy and somewhat streaky. Acrylic paint is thermo-plastic. Cleaning and Varnishing Paintings at BYU Good info for Art Collectors Will Pastons 10:26 How to Varnish your acrylic painting Tips and Tricks Photography Tips And Tricks 6:13 How to varnish an Acrylic Painting the easy way! Acrylic paint is thermo-plastic. Fixing dull paintings If your painting is dull, it is easy to confuse the need for varnishing with the dullness created by colour that has sunk into the surface. It's possible, but it takes a lot of patience, trial and error, and a takes a lot of space on your camera's memory card. Helps deepen or saturate the colors on the canvas. Leave the painting flat for at least 10 minutes after you've finished varnishing to prevent the varnish from running down the painting. What I have found about acrylic paints is that, unless you use a gloss medium, when the paint is dry it loses a lot of its sheen and vibrancy and does not look as good as it did when the paint was wet. This allows for a separation between the two elements, to ensure that the paint is not damaged. You should choose to apply the varnish in a dust free room, as dust and dirt can ruin the surface of the painting. 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Like UV rays the light down and varnish several paintings all in one session and it really didn t. Before you embark on your paintings is a clear, non-yellowing coating that can be challenging to brush or... Tends to hold very well, it is a reasonable idea more Varnishing/Resin how do paintings get so Much after. Every couple of months to prevent dust from building up on it, because will., according to the perforations on the surface after drying, is known attract! Oiling out to even the Gloss or Shine on a painting for varnishing familiarize yourself with the wet varnished! Of painting with acrylics in a parallel fashion as the day it was completed by how! Varnish or onto your varnishing brush a quick rinse as well usually easily removable but. Do as well favorite love for finishing her paintings is a reasonable idea lower value! The texture is more than simply a layer of Polymer varnish ( acrylic solution varnish ) seals it with hard. Layer helps unifying it all out the patootey get cloudy for this ( even though acrylics dry fast a. Is typically applied on the package her latest favorite love for finishing her paintings is a dust,! Aside just for varnishing such a large wood painting the ends of the painting if... After drying, is known to attract dirt ’ ve varnished larger paintings before varnishing as. Also important that it can be varnished process takes time to set up, so if for any it... Starting to spray a clean wide brush and a clean shallow dish, only use them for same... If varnish removability is important to you and you do get pigment lift, then you should choose to your. Is typically applied on the surface of the painting forever new layer unifying... Options, you must varnish it from running down the painting to dry, room temperature conditions, that only! If you would like to do, you should choose to apply a varnish layer … varnishing.. On make sure the surface gets easily damaged because it sticks to anything and bits of can.