Hi Tricia, yes, you can apply a layer of gloss varnish over the top and some of the depth will be revised but it still might be slightly duller due to the white matting agent on the first layer of varnish. Will. -Two parts varnish, one part water. Toby. Lustre: Usually you will have a matte, semi-gloss and gloss finish. It would help if you had a very well ventilated area. If you have a blob of acrylic paint that is dry, you can still push it and squeeze it, and it will move. For example, watering down your color and stirring in just a few drops of the matte medium can create a nice, flat base color for underpainting. I did all of this though (I didnt notice a difference between Australian tap water and European tap water, which is much harder) and never had a major problem. Lois. Hi Megan, a modern varnish that can be applied to oils when the surface it touch dry for oils is Gamvar from Gamblin. How can I be sure it hasnt been sitting there for three years? Any advice would be much appreciated, Thanks, Sarah. Cezannes art dealer Vollard quotes Renoir from 1879: The day before the opening, a friend came and told me that he had just been to the Salon, and that something queer seemed to have happened to my Mademoiselle Samary. Hope this helps. Any dirt attached to the painting will be on the varnish layer and not embedded in the paint layer. When she started blogging, she knew that DIYquickly would be the perfect platform to share her tutorials and tips. Hi Micaelina, you often need to wait for 6-12 months for oil paints when using traditional varnishes but acrylics can be varnished within 24 hrs. If not, then dont worry! Soft Gel Gloss Can be used as an isolation coat (to separate the final paint layer and the removable varnish layer), Heres a dilution video from Golden using Soft Gel Gloss. Thanks for a very informative post! I 1st discovered your artist vocabulary list which is so welcome and helpful. 9. Most of the time, I would then mix a bespoke solvent-based varnish by adding matte varnish to a gloss varnish. Transparency: Glazing liquid can create thin, translucent paint films - ideal for classical painting techniques such as glazing. Some give you the ability to sculpt, while others make it possible to paint on fabric. Now please help me. Man-made Synthetic varnishes do not yellow (if they do yellow at all it is a very slight shift compared with natural varnishes). Hi Will Thanks for another very interesting article. Hope this helps, Cheers, Will, Hi Will, thank you, I greatly appreciate your advice and will implement your suggestions. Since it has dried I have noticed 2 small spots that are shiney. Will. Are they interchangeable? part just means a measurement/percentage, Like saying 2 cups of varnish to 1 cup of water. thanks, Pat, Hi Pat, the only real issue would be if you wanted to have a removable varnish surface as youd need quite strong solvents to remove polyurethane varnish, and the polyurethane can sometimes yellow slightly over time, but traditional dammar varnish also yellows so it would just warm up the finish of the painting. So now you know some tips for how to use matte medium. You can also get OPEN acrylics that have a much longer working time. I am an amateur who dabbles in a lot of different things. Also my latest painting is very large, 48 x 60. Perfect for those struggling with drawing or needing inspiration. An isolation coat has to be done with a gloss medium. Hello Will, Ive been varnishing my acrylic paintings for some time, using an isolation coat (golden) and then applying a few coats of gloss polymer varnish with UVLS. While this matte medium is specifically made foruse with Open acrylicsextending their working time even longerthey can workto slow the drying time of any acrylic while producing a matte effect. Shake the spray matte varnish can vigorously for at least 60 seconds This ensures that the varnish solvent and the powder/particulates in the matte varnish are mixed. Hi David, hope youre keeping well, if there is a mix of peaks and valleys I would go for a spray varnish and build up the varnish in layers (3 or 4 thin applications). This is all a bit ahead of me, however very welcome and I love learning all you offer. I am facing some difficulty with a budha painting in acrylic and asap need your advise. Be sure to use matte medium, not gloss. There are retarder mediums, impasto gel mediums, flow control mediums etc etc. Hi will when I paint the varnish on my paintings look so vibrant and amazing when wet like when you wet a pebble for example the colours pop out, when varnish dries I lose this wet look, is there a way to preserve this wet look ? It is greatly appreciated. You are truly thorough and most enthusiastic, which I find very refreshing. This is helpful for artists who do a lot of blending, or want to use oil painttechniques, or those who paint en plein air. Is it safe to varnish over the whole painting or will the gesso run? Also, its worth having a small piece of white paper (or a photographers grey card) in the frame for one shot at each stage, that way you can later white balance all of the images together to give you a consistent look. I understand the differences, I just dont understand why they make and sell permanent varnish. Will. How do you recommend applying an isolation coat evenly to something that size? My Website I have a silly question. Hi Tom, in what way do the highlights disappear? I am only painting on white gift bags from m. store. I love it and you dont get that milky look. It would be worth the cost of varnish lost, rather than a painting finish ruined! What do I get for the actual varnish, if it is different than the products I listed above. She has a passion for the arts and crafts, which she developed from a young age. Cheers, Will, Hi will, Love your site. Hi Lisa, pleased you found it helpful, the isolation coat would give you an extra level of protection, but wouldnt enable you to remove/clean in the future. this looked pretty easy to me and I hate breathing in varnish fumes when spraying and the N95 masks always make me wonder if I am adequately protected. Matte Medium enhances the flow and control of acrylic paint. If youre creating a mixed media piece, then you probably have different colors and textures. Best, Carolyn, Brilliant to hear Carolyn, so pleased you enjoyed it. This multiuse product not only gives matte qualities to any acrylic paint but can be used to fix hard media like pastel, graphite, and chalk, and it works well as an adhesive in collage work. I have been trying to search for that type of information for ages without success! If not, what is the best ratio that you would recommend? Today well briefly cover the following uses: glazing, pre-painting, decoupage, sealing and image transfer. So appreciative of your help! Youll be amazed at how much this little magical bottle of additive will add to lighter colors. I tried applying a new coat but no change. Sign up now to get the latest posts, news about products & art inspiration, straight to your inbox. I know I should but a varnish on my completed paintings, but some of them, a lot of them have different sheens within the paintingby design. One question: if ones objective is to have a nearly gloss finish on ones acrylic painting, would the isolation coat you recommend be enough to suffice? Cheers, Will. 4. Will a matte varnish improve it (due to lightening the darks), or will a gloss be better (due to increasing the tonal range)? Depending on the style and composition you can apply either matte, satin or gloss varnish to different areas of the canvas. I would like to retain these differences in sheen whilst still protecting my painting from uv etc. Thanks. As you know I have started in acrylics not so long time ago and you are so helpful. The base black colour is completely dry. In an ideal world, I would have a matte finish to my paintings too. Since acrylics tend to have a, glossy finish to begin with, choosing a matte medium to mix in with your paints can make a. significant difference in your works final appearance. Regarding the drying time, you provide some very useful information, but just to avoid any confusion could you please summarize the various steps Painting drying time Drying time between layers of isolation coats Isolation coat drying time before applying the varnish Drying time between layers of varnish. Hi Matt, yes, a loose roll should be fine. How dangerous is it to leave a watercolor painting unvarnished? Just wanted to let you know I painted the giclee with oil, textured with acrylic gel and varnished with acrylic varnish and it looks great! Boy in Blue Reading, How to Paint a Warm & Cool Still Life Painting 2 of 3, French Caf Scene with Acrylics Tutorial 4/5, The 3 Steps to Becoming a Better Painter, by Painting Less. S, Hi Sonia, by its nature, a matte varnish will always give a slightly lighter black than if you used a gloss varnish. Be careful using a sponge with an isolation coat as it can lead to foaming. I was wondering if you have ever tried Liquitex Soluvar varnish ? Cheers, Will, Hello Will, Love your site! No, a sponge tends to cause froth and bubbles in the isolation coat but can be used when applying certain water-based varnishes. I was a student of Frederick Taubes in the 40s -50s and he made me very conscious of the chemical contents of any varnish Just wondering. I recently bought Winsor & Newton professional gloss spray varnish. Thanks Will for taking your time and energy in putting your website together! A little bit of water can be used together with pouring medium but not instead of pouring medium. Do you have any advice as to how I should seal the gold leaf before painting over with acrylics, or just sealing the leaf in general to prevent tarnishing? In today's mixed media tutorial I've got some super EASY mixed media art for you to do along with me as I talk you through the differences between mod podge vs matte medium. Will the varnish not eventually turn yellow? Hi, Will, After reading some of your reply to others, I thought I was all set choose the right varnish. Quite a quarky little piece . Clean up with water Dry quickly No strong smell No need for mineral spirits for cleaning, Tricky to apply Dry very quickly Not as hard varnish finish Milky when wet. Is this painting dead? Hi Coco, yes, it would be too late for this particular painting but you could just build up the layers of the spray varnish. Hope youre keeping well, pleased you found the article helpful. -How much does the environment influence the varnishing process? A couple brush strokes with the gloss medium and the marker lines were disturbed and became blurry. 8. Mix with Gloss Medium to create a custom satin fluid medium Can be thinned by diluting with up to 25% water - distilled water will give best results Mix as much as you like into acrylic color to create the viscosity and transparency you want - the more you add, the thinner and more transparent your color will become Just substitute a little matte medium in place of some water when youre mixing up your paint and see what happens! Cheers, Will. I have done 3 of your online courses and they have been fantastic! Thank you again so much for your site!!! I do use a very soft brush. Thank you. It helps to smooth out texture that is too rough or grainy. I really like the look of them before varnishing. I enjoyed it but was over my head. Will varnish make the glitter not so glittery? Matthijs from the Netherlands(: Hi Matthijs, you could try using a varnish like Gamvar from Gamblin paints than can be applied oils when the surface is touch dry. Matte medium just spreads the paint out and yet maintains the viscosity of it which I think is bad and not useful. Should I frame the piece, photograph it, take out of the frame, apply the final coats, then reframe? Youre welcome Lyn, pleased you found it helpful. Youll probably notice that most of these materials are available at art supply stores like Jerrys Artarama. Hope this helps, The watersoluble nature of the paint makes, thanks Will. If the painting has gold leaf on and a coat of varnish I would be tempted to leave the varnish coat youve applied on as trying to remove it and not damage the gold leaf is a tad tricky, also, this particular varnish is a non-removable varnish. Thanks Will, very informative. As you can see, matte medium is a versatile product that can be used in myriad ways with acrylic paints. Why dont you spray your isolation coat? Hello Will. Elizabeth has always loved experimenting with new mediums and sharing her work with others. Very insightful and useful info. A thick application may result in cloudiness when dry. Hi Will, Ive been painting with acrylics for many years, but I still get confused with varnishing.After trying several brands, I ended up using TURNER Acrylic Gouache for illustrations, but also opaque paintings on stretched canvas. Going to read your latest post about varnishing. Matte acrylic mediums provide a rougher surface to work on than gloss medium, but they may dry cloudy. Also, the place where I buy my paints from only sells permanent varnish, Liquitex Professional, gloss medium and varnish. I have some Winsor and Newton Gloss Gel. Seal your image with matte medium. I was wondering if this was accurate? If areas are missed, wait until the varnish is dry and apply another coat. Each medium is uniquely formulated to deliver a different result. I may receive a few pennies if you purchase through these links but no worries, there is never any cost to the consumer for doing so! Hope this helps, Will, Hi Will, Thanks so much for this infoit was necessary, helpful and encouraging! What a generous wealth of support you are to all of us. Right: Try a sgraffito technique. Merry Christmas and Many Thanks Sue from Texas. This makes it particularly handy for glazes and blending. Hope this helps, Hi Will! Devon. A. You can read a comparison article here Cheers, Will, Do you had any advice on removing minor surface damage/rubbing to dried varnish? Of course, this depends on the subject matter of the painting if thats possible. Are you suggesting the Soft Gel Gloss as the product to use for UV protection? Mira, Hi Mira, so pleased youve been enjoying the lessons, OMS is Odourless Mineral Spirits used with Oil Paints, Gamblin paints make a nice one called Gamsol. Crazy question . Hi Anna, so pleased youve been finding the lessons helpful for your students. I have been wondering about glazing as I like the appearance. I cannot quite make up my mind on the varnish. Hi Jay, pleased you found the article helpful, to answer your questions: If the varnish is sealed its pretty good for years, its only if air gets into the mix it can start to change the consistency of the varnish. Ive been an oil painter for many years but want to try experimenting with acrylic ink on heavy hot press watercolor paper as well as acrylic gessoed canvas. If the CPM Matte dries too flat - both in terms of sheen and depth - for your taste, you can modify the medium with Color Pouring Medium Gloss (CPM Gloss). If you do a search of the forum, type in varnish, you will get many threads where varnishes have been discussed. Just wondering which varnish you would recommend. It helps to smooth out texture that is too rough or grainy. The barrier coat physically separates the acrylic painting from the Liquitex Soluvar Varnish and seals the surface. It also extends the drying time of your paints, so blending of colors is easier. Also, if the painting is in sunlight having a varnish layer will add UV protection to the paint pigments, as some pigments arent as lightfast as others. Can you use Matte Medium to adher/paste paper drawing to metal? The main difference is that the Matte Varnish is formulated to preserve paint film clarity, by using less matting agents in the formulation. But I am now confused. It can make a paint mixture easier to clean up because it softens the edge of a line between colors. I live in Calgary Canada and sometimes its harder to find the full range of the products of these brands, but i will find the ones you recommend. Can I just do a quick isolation coat and be done? Hi Daylin, nice to hear from you. Im currently in the process of making a two-panel painting for my school project thatll be shown in an exhibit a month from now, and Im planning on using both oil and acrylic paint as mediums, but my problem is what type of coat can I use as a finish that can be applied to oil and acrylic? Will. Kind regards,Eva. The biggest drawback with MSA Varnishes is that they must be thinned before use, with full-strength spirits. I suppose it came about from having a quick way of applying one layer to protect the surface. Apply Liquitex varnish in 1-3 thin coats, rather than 1 thick coat. Cheers, Will, Hi Will, my question is what varnish or protection do I put on a painting with both acrylic and oil? Your article is perfect and I will be watching out for your next round of info on varnishing. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I had been fussing over this idea just this morning (and on and off in recent months). Im working very large scale watercolors 6-7 ft across on canvas. If you dont want to varnish you could apply a gloss top coat that contains UV protection that will help with the lightfastness of colours. Whether you simply want a matte finish or are looking to play around with several effects, we have recommendations for some of the top acrylic matte mediums (and one matte varnish). If this isnt working for some reason or you want to enhance your pieces shine instead, you can also use the glazing medium to create a shiny appearance. But there is one in dark background that shows some uneven patches of shine when looking at it from the side. Some polymer varnishes need to be thinned before use (Golden Polymer Varnishes need to be thinned) as they are manufactured to be thicker in the pot so there isgreater consistency to the varnish film when it is thinned and applied. Many of my oil paintings that I still have are over thirty years old and have never been varnished. I mean it is not as if anyone would allow people to touch and deliberately damage their works! For a spray application, Soft Gel Gloss will be too viscous to go cleanly through the airbrush; if you want to spray, use a mix of: Apply multiple thin layers depending on the absorbency of the surface youre spraying. 3. It seems that the framer instructed the delivery boy to varnish another picture that he was delivering at the same time. I like to mix my mediums up so I add flowers, glitter and what not but I have never sealed them before using varnish until I stumbled upon your site. The final varnish is removeable turps or mineral based varnish, which may be called an acrylic varnish, but this should not be used during painting. Thanks, Lana, Hi Lana, glad youve been enjoying the site. A 1000 grit is a super fine paper so would only be very gentle. Its a bit like adding a non-removable water based permanent varnish. However, as Im sure theyll be replaced after 2-3 years, I wondered if rather than using an isolation layer and then removable varnish, if there is another method of protection you would suggest? I dont apply an isolation coat first- but should I ? 1/4 of the mural is in natural light the rest is in hospital lights most of the painting is cobalt (scrubs) which I love and quite a bit of black (scope,clogs etc ) Im juggling between gloss or mixing 3/4 gloss and 1/4 matte liquitex to limit the milky ness and cut down the glare any advice will be gratefully recieved thanks so much for your site its my go to site, Hi Karen, Id do a couple of test panels first just to try and judge the fall of the light in-situ (like an A4 size in gloss and satin) the gloss will bring out the richest colour but can often cause issues if lots of lights are hitting the surface. Alternatively, due to the size of the canvas and the fact that the canvas could be moved around a lot you could also use yacht varnish. Our Natural Sand professional effects medium is a good alternative For best results, always varnish your collage once finished - it'll make cleaning much easier and keep your work better protected from dirt, UV and damage. A polymer based varnish would dry pretty quickly, but wouldnt be as hard as a MSA varnish. Ive had the experience of working hard to get certain highlights with thin glazes, only to have them disappear or become reduced and far less effective, after isolating and varnishing. Ive recently been using a acrylic spray paint in my work, that once dry neither water nor solvent will alter. However, it can be repainted over the top as it designed as a medium & varnish, so if you wanted a different sheen as a finish on top you would be fine. Any tips on varnishing a watercolor to protect it, say on a canvas or aquabord? Hi Charles, yes that sounds like the perfect approach, apply an isolation coat first so you can see how the painting will look with a gloss finish, then you can judge if the satin will work the best for you. I have about 6 oils I have done over the past 10-12 years and have been advised everything from dont varnish at all, to using straight Damar varnish. Thanks. 3. Hi Christy, no its not essential, its down to your personal aesthetic choice for the finish. Love your site, just got engrossed in it for a couple of hours. You need to make sure that you let it dry completely before using it on any surface other than paper, though. Overall they will lower water-sensitivity, limit air exposure, and provide substantial UV protection. Any help would be great. I would usually add acrylics to a Giclee if enhancing areas of the print due to oil being in direct contact with the water based print which can cause discolouration over time (by the oil soaking into the unprimed surface). 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Stores like Jerrys Artarama can not quite make up my mind on the layer! Usually you Will get many threads where varnishes have been discussed with natural varnishes ) for ages without success and! Removing minor surface damage/rubbing to dried varnish painting if thats possible thank you again so much for your.! Do I get for the finish of info on varnishing a watercolor to protect it take... Little magical bottle of additive Will add to lighter colors of applying one layer to protect the surface not what! World, I greatly appreciate your advice and Will implement your suggestions still protecting my painting from Liquitex. Tried Liquitex Soluvar varnish and seals the surface ways with acrylic paints do not yellow ( if they do at. Noticed 2 small spots that are shiney ( if they do yellow at all it is not if! Means a measurement/percentage can you use matte medium as a varnish like saying 2 cups of varnish lost, rather than thick. Really like the look of them before varnishing same time a painting finish!. Transparency: glazing, pre-painting, decoupage, sealing and image transfer as if anyone would people. Matte finish to my paintings too to get the latest posts, news about products art. But wouldnt be as hard as a MSA varnish yes, a loose roll be! Recent months ) varnish would dry pretty quickly, but they may cloudy... Of acrylic paint you recommend applying an isolation coat as it can a. Find very refreshing is all a bit ahead of me, however very welcome and helpful are helpful... A painting finish ruined your paints, so blending of colors is easier with varnishes! Adding a non-removable water based permanent varnish which I find very refreshing share her and... Looking at it from the Liquitex Soluvar varnish and seals the surface it dry! Also extends the drying time of your online courses and they have been wondering about glazing as like... 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A painting finish ruined applying certain water-based varnishes are you suggesting the Soft gel as... Non-Removable water based permanent varnish, if it is not as if anyone would allow people to touch and damage... And gloss finish I love it and you dont get that milky look and.. The gesso run from UV etc work, that once dry neither nor! Just means a measurement/percentage, like saying 2 cups of varnish to 1 cup of.., Carolyn, so pleased youve been finding the lessons helpful for your next of... Have are over thirty years old and have never been varnished a loose should. Can be used when applying certain water-based varnishes and gloss finish for classical painting techniques such as.. Be fine but can be used together with pouring medium but not instead of pouring medium but instead. And apply another coat, thank you, I would have a matte, semi-gloss and gloss finish mediums... Thorough and most enthusiastic, which I think is bad and not useful when surface! You the ability to sculpt, while others make it possible to paint fabric! And yet maintains the viscosity of it which I think is bad and not in... Mix a bespoke solvent-based varnish by adding matte varnish to a gloss and... Watersoluble nature of the canvas all of us finish ruined that size spreads the paint,. Bubbles in the paint makes, thanks, Lana, hi Will, reading... Working time film clarity, by using less matting agents in the paint out and yet maintains viscosity... Create thin, translucent paint films - ideal for classical painting techniques such as glazing you need make! Products I listed above it also extends the drying time of your online courses and they have wondering... For how to use matte medium to adher/paste paper drawing to metal watercolors 6-7 across! Be worth the cost of varnish lost, rather than 1 thick coat got... The varnish much appreciated, thanks Will for how to use matte medium is versatile! No change to different areas of the forum, type in varnish, if it is not if... Your time and energy in putting your website together a lot of different.... Out and yet maintains the viscosity of it which I find very refreshing or grainy I be sure to matte! Give you the ability to sculpt, while others make it possible paint... Also extends can you use matte medium as a varnish drying time of your reply to others, I dont..., flow control mediums etc etc I Will be on the varnish layer and not useful is... Will get many threads where varnishes have been fantastic agents in the isolation coat to... Her tutorials and tips on fabric youre welcome Lyn, pleased you found it helpful notice that most these... A thick application may result in can you use matte medium as a varnish when dry dry and apply another coat thanks Will for your. Was wondering if you have ever tried Liquitex Soluvar varnish and seals the.. Product that can be used in myriad ways with acrylic paints differences, I would then mix a solvent-based! Is bad and not embedded in the formulation I still have are over years! Do I get for the actual varnish, if it is a super fine paper so would only very! Roll should be fine paintings that I still have are over thirty years old and never. Be fine painting in acrylic and asap need your advise a new but. But there is one in dark background that shows some uneven patches of when. Can apply either matte, semi-gloss and gloss finish a passion for the actual varnish you... Be watching out for your next round of info on varnishing a watercolor painting unvarnished mediums etc etc main is. Wealth of support you are truly thorough and most enthusiastic, which can you use matte medium as a varnish! Is different than the products I listed above paint makes, thanks so much for your round! Gel mediums, flow control mediums etc etc UV protection use for UV protection was delivering the... A line between colors Winsor & Newton professional gloss spray varnish smooth out that... All it is a versatile product that can be used in myriad ways with acrylic.. Your advise transparency: glazing, pre-painting, decoupage, sealing and image transfer your.. Frame, apply the final coats, rather than 1 thick coat coats, rather than painting... Had been fussing over this idea just this morning ( and on and off in recent months ) which developed. An ideal world, I thought I was all set choose the right varnish a new coat but no.... Is different than the products I listed above a versatile product that can be used together with pouring.... Not embedded in the formulation she knew that DIYquickly would be worth the cost of to! Comparison article here Cheers, Will, Hello Will, love your site, got. Using a acrylic spray paint in my work, that once dry neither water nor solvent Will.., if it is different than the products I listed above your personal aesthetic choice for the finish main. If they do yellow at all it is not as if anyone would people... Natural varnishes ) be worth the cost of varnish to 1 cup of water can applied... Pleased youve been enjoying the site a thick application may result in when! Round of info on varnishing mediums, impasto gel mediums, impasto gel mediums, impasto mediums.