How to Varnish a Painting like a Pro

acrylicpaintingvarnish

3 Reasons why artists varnish their work

We’ve all done it.

Spent hours, days, even weeks slaving away on a painting, but when we finally apply a varnish…it all goes horribly wrong.

The anxiousness builds.

You’re now sure there are mismatched sheens on the surface, and it was perfect before you started varnishing!

Or maybe you thought it was a good idea to wrap your newly varnished painting with bubble wrap just before the deadline of an exhibition, only to find out at the private view the bubble wrap had left hundreds of tiny circle imprints on the surface of the painting….mmm..surely no one would ever do that!

The anxiety and disappointment that comes with varnishing can sometimes seem too much.

With all the confusion, conflicting advice and frustration in creating the perfect varnish finish, you can’t help wondering, what’s the point of varnishing at all?…

Traditionally varnishes were applied to keep paintings protected from all the dust, dirt, smoke etc.. in the atmosphere. The varnish provides a non-porous, protective layer that is removable for conservation purposes; it serves its aesthetic purpose whilst also providing protection.

Any dirt attached to the painting will be on the varnish layer and not embedded in the paint layer.

So when a painting has yellowed and looks suitably dirty, the varnish can be removed (and all the dirt with it), restoring the painting to its vibrant, former glory, then a new varnish can be applied to protect it for the next 100 years or so.

fontana-lady-with-dog-mid-clean-detail

Portrait of a lady with a dog 1590s, Lavinia Fontana 1552-1614 (Rebecca Gregg Conservation midpoint through a varnish removal)

As I mention below, there are other aesthetic reasons to varnish. Still, it’s worth remembering that although it’s often called a ‘Final picture varnish’, traditionally, varnishes are meant to have the capacity to be removed without damaging the painting.

It’s worth noting there are many Acrylic permanent ‘non-removable varnishes on the market. They will give you a nice even finish to your work – without going through the process below.

Personally,  I always work with a removable varnish to ensure the future preservation of the aesthetics of my paintings.

Is removable varnishing appropriate for you?

I always think of portraits and paintings handed down to generations in the future it is definitely worth varnishing with an old school technique. However, it’s a personal call as I appreciate some of our paintings end up on the neighbour’s wall. It might be in this scenario an acrylic permanent ‘non-removable varnish fits the job.

Whatever you decide is best for you and your paintings, it’s always worth knowing good professional practice.

So we shall carry on as if all of your paintings will someday hang in the Musée du Louvre!

The 3 main reasons why artists varnish their work:

1. Deepen (saturate) the colours:

Although we will be looking at acrylic varnishing techniques, the anxiety over how to varnish or what to varnish with stems back to Fresco paintings.

In his book The Craftsman’s Handbook, Cennino Cennini (about 1370–about 1440) tried to create a matte varnish to his paintings; he created a recipe for varnish from whipped eggwhites. The only issue was it went grey over time.

Then with the Renaissance, a more high gloss varnish finish was favoured, giving the paintings the “Old Master Glow” and helping to give a permanent enrichment to the colours.

Acrylic paintings can often look dull when they’re dry, and some manufacturers such as Old Holland and Winsor & Newton have started to add a glossy acrylic binder to give the paints a more satin appearance.

Even though that helps to get the most saturated colour from your acrylic painting, a glossy varnish will always enhance your colours more than just using paint alone.

2. Create an even gloss/satin/matte sheen over the entire picture surface.

Some acrylic pigments dry shinier than others.

Different mediums and gels also have different finishes, and on top of that, acrylic paint changes in sheen depending on how much water is added to the paint.

This result is a finished painting with areas of different sheens.

acrylic varnish gloss vs matte

You can see in this painting there are uneven levels of sheen due to parts where I’ve mixed a gloss glazing liquid into my paint and then worked water-thinned paint over the top.

So can I paint a varnish directly onto my acrylic painting to unify the appearance?

Well, yes and no.

If you want your acrylic painting in the future to be easily cleaned/restored to the same finish as when you paint it, i.e. remove and replace the varnish – then you need to apply an isolation coat first.

A Note for Oil painters

The process is slightly different if you were varnishing your oil painting (or deciding to use a non-removable acrylic varnish ). You can usually paint your varnish straight onto the paint layer without the need for an isolation coat.

An Isolation Coat

This does all the heavy lifting for you.

By painting an isolation coat, it provides an even sheen and a glass-like surface, so when you apply the final varnish, it will just glide on. It’s a bit like laying a thin glass sheet over the paint surface and then applying a varnish to the glass.

So rather than the varnish soaking into sections of absorbent canvas, it ‘sits on top of the isolation coat.

N.B. An isolation coat has to be done with a gloss medium. When it’s dry, you can then apply varnish of either Matte, Satin or Gloss depending on your taste which will always supersede the glossy isolation coat finish.

How do you mix an isolation coat?

isolationcoat

Mix the isolation coat to the consistency of single cream

I use products from Golden Acrylics. Liquitex, Winsor & Newton and Atelier Interactive all have slightly different medium choices, but the same principles apply.

Golden Soft Gel Gloss – it must be the gloss version; the satin and matte version of soft gel is not recommended due to the matting agent in the medium. The gloss will dry the clearest of the gels. Even if you want to finish with a Matte surface, apply the gloss isolation coat.

  • 2 parts Soft Gel Gloss
  • 1 part water

Then in the future, if you ever need to replace the varnish, you can apply a varnish remover, and it will go back to the isolation coat and never hit the acrylic paint surface.

Common questions about how I apply an isolation coat:

Q. Why do you use a brush?

A. Most of my paintings are quite thin in an application; there aren’t any thick impasto areas, so the brush glides over very easily, and I can work quicker.

Q. Why don’t you spray your isolation coat?

A. If you are working on a very large-scale painting and wanted a super, super even finish, then spray application will always give you the evenest sheen finish; however, it is more costly. It would help if you had a very well ventilated area. Ideally outside.

You would also need to use a different medium than the Soft Gel Gloss.

For a spray application of an isolation coat

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:

2 parts – Golden GAC-500

1 part – Transparent Airbrush Extender

Apply multiple thin layers depending on the absorbency of the surface you’re spraying. It’s quite a lot of extra effort.

Q. Do you ever use a sponge to apply an isolation coat?

A. No, a sponge tends to cause froth and bubbles in the isolation coat but can be used when applying certain water-based varnishes.

Q.What is the biggest isolation coat application problem?

A. Working too slow.

Going over a nearly dry section of the isolation coat with your brush.

Trying to cover a large area in one go.

Applying the isolation coat with bubbles in the mix.

Trying to finish with one thick coat, whereas two thin coats would be better.

Deciding on the level of the sheen of your varnish

It’s a personal preference.

Many of the Impressionists preferred not to varnish at all. They didn’t like the visual effect or the ostentatious feel of a highly glossed surface.

“The Matte surfaces favoured by impressionists and fauves within a primitivizing impulse – in their case a return to the look of fifteenth-century tempera and fresco painting”

Seeing Through Paintings: Physical Examination in Art Historical Studies by Andrea Kirsh, Rustin S. Levenson

Pissaro and Monet preferred the unvarnished look, and many Impressionists would aim to work on a more absorbent gesso ground.

The gesso ground would soak up the oil from the paint and leave a matte appearance on the surface.

In an ideal world, I would have a matte finish to my paintings too. Still, with all the colour intensity, a gloss varnish delivers….but I said ‘in an ideal world’ because, with varnish, it’s always a compromise between aesthetic ideals and chemical limitations.

The Matting agent used to create Matte varnish is usually white.

On light-coloured paintings, it isn’t noticeable, but on dark paintings, it can give the surface a cloudy or frosty look; therefore, the colours don’t necessarily shine through it and blacks, in particular, will always lighten in appearance with a matte varnish.

A Matte surface

As mentioned above, a matte varnish contains a matting agent, usually white, so even though it dries clear, it’s still not 100% transparent.

As a comparison, gloss varnishes dry almost 100% transparent and satin somewhere between the two.

Modern painter Robert Motherwell had to accept the aesthetic implications of the varnish. It led him to varnish different areas of the painting in different sheens.

“the whole conception of this painting was extremely matte….The difficulty with varnishes is that they are shiny, glossy, so there is a problem: for example, if one made a drawing on white rag paper, and if one varnishes it, it immediately becomes shiny, like the illustrations in popular women’s magazines on glossy paper…But my greatest anxiety was to get a varnish that was not shiny.”

Matte vs satin vs gloss varnish

Different varnish finishes on black paint

This matte finish that can often appear in acrylics is the same as areas of an oil painting that have ‘sunk in’.

This is often why dark, dramatic paintings have a final glossy picture varnish applied. It brings back the colours and makes the blacks look really black.

If you try to apply a satin or matte varnish to a black painting, the blackness level will be lifted.

varnishingacrylicpainting

Notice the difference in intensity of the black above, depending on the varnish.

So what approach do I take?

I apply an isolation coat, which will always be gloss.

Then leave it to dry for 24 hours so I can assess the level of sheen that best suits the painting colours and the environment in the painting will hang (if it’s a specific commission). It’s worth considering bright lights within the hanging space, as these can often cause a glare on a too-glossy finish.

Most of the time, I would then mix a bespoke solvent-based varnish by adding matte varnish to a gloss varnish. So, in essence, creating a controllable satin finish.

I apply thin coats, sometimes 3 or 4, always assessing whether I’m happy with the level of sheen/colour saturation compromise when it’s dry.

3. Protect the painted surface from atmospheric effects to make the surface easier to clean.

Acrylic paint, by its very nature, is quite a soft material. If you have a blob of acrylic paint that is dry, you can still push it and squeeze it, and it will move.

There are 2 main choices for your acrylic painting—either a water-based varnish or a solvent-based varnish.

Water-based varnish (Polymer)

Water-based varnishes usually are created from an acrylic polymer, similar in consistency to an acrylic glazing liquid.

They provide a good level of protection and small to medium pieces are an easy, great choice, especially if you work from a small studio within your home.

They are convenient, cleanup friendly and don’t smell strong; however, they are harder to apply evenly on larger areas with a brush as they dry too quickly for big canvases.

They are also milky white when applied, drying to clear with a tendency to foam when mixed (so often need to be left to settle before applying)

They don’t give as hard a surface finish as a solvent-based varnish.

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 is greater consistency to the varnish film when it is thinned and applied.

Thinning with water (ideally distilled water):

  • 3 Parts Varnish
  • 1 Part (distilled) Water.

Pro tip: If you’re having problems working quickly enough with water-based varnishes, then you can use a large sponge to apply.

This only works if you’re using a water-based varnish that is already quite fluid. You need to work quickly and be patient to build up the varnish in thin layers. Be careful using a sponge with an isolation coat as it can lead to foaming.

Pros

Clean up with water
Dry quickly
No strong smell
No need for mineral spirits for cleaning

Cons

Tricky to apply
Dry very quickly
Not as hard varnish finish
Milky when wet

Solvent-based varnish (MSA)

msavarnish

Solvent-based varnishes or Mineral Spirit Acrylic varnish dry to a tough yet flexible layer.

MSA varnishes are clear when wet and also provide an easier application with self-levelling qualities. The clarity and appearance of the finish are slightly superior compared to a water-based varnish.

The biggest drawback with MSA Varnishes is that they must be thinned before use, with full-strength spirits. They are strong-smelling, and clean-up is messy so that home use can be impractical.

Here is a demo video from Golden paint showing how to correctly thin Mineral Spirit Varnish:

And this video shows you what can go wrong when thinning Golden MSA varnish of you use Odourless Mineral Spirits:

Pros

Easier to apply
Self-levelling qualities give an even sheen
Slow drying so are excellent for big pieces
Hard varnish finish

Cons

Have to thin with full-strength spirits before using (not odourless mineral spirits)
Clean up using solvents
Strong smell
Not as cleanup friendly in a home (a bit messy)

If your varnished painting looks a little uneven or the finish isn’t absolutely perfect, don’t be too hard on yourself – spare a little thought for Renoir.

Varnishing day Salon - Paris

Within the French Academy, before the official opening of the Salon exhibition, artists were allowed a varnishing day. The artist’s colourmen often carried this out.

Cezanne’s 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. I dashed to the Salon and found the picture almost beyond recognition – it looked as if it were melting away. It seems that the framer instructed the delivery boy to varnish another picture that he was delivering at the same time. The boy had a little varnish left over and decided to give me the benefit of it.

I didn’t varnish mine because it was still wet, but he thought I was being economical! The result was I had to paint the whole thing in an afternoon.”

So my bubble wrap bubble marks over my piece don’t seem so disastrous after all!

I hope this helps when deciding to varnish your own works.

 

This Post Has 294 Comments

  1. Alison Stafford

    Top tips once again! Thanks for sharing Will :)
    Can I ask will you be sharing similar tips for oil Paintings? or does the same apply?

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Ali, oh yes, I forgot to mention that. I’ll be doing another article on the best practice for oil paint varnishes soon, lots of cross-overs but a few different considerations.

      Cheers,
      Will

  2. Nadya

    Thank You Will for a very useful object!! All your articles really help a lot!
    The Best!!

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Nadya, pleased you found it helpful.

      Cheers,
      Will

  3. Liz Geeslin

    Great information Will! Thanks as always for your wonderful site and advise!

    1. Will Kemp

      You’re welcome Liz, hope it helps.
      Will

  4. David Shaiken

    Very informative, Will. Thanks for posting this.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hey David,

      Hope you’re keeping well, pleased you found the article helpful.
      Will

  5. Tara

    This is so comprehensive, and I learned a huge amount as usual! Thanks for laying it all out so clearly. I’m wondering though if varnishing is essential? I paint in acrylics and don’t varnish them, but am wondering if I should for protective reasons.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Tara, ahh the elusive varnishing decision!

  6. Rachel

    Great information thank you

  7. Carole Pivarnik

    Thanks for a very informative post! I look forward to the oil painting one, as well.

  8. Jacque Bernadette

    Thank you for the amazing tips. It is appreciated as I will be varnishing 22 pieces for a display.

    1. Will Kemp

      Really pleased it helped Jacque, by the end of 22 pieces you’ll be a varnishing master!

      Cheers,
      Will

  9. Lois Glass Webb

    Many of my oil paintings that I still have are over thirty years old and have never been varnished. What do I clean the surface with before applying any coating including varnish? And why can I not use a polyethylene furniture varnish from the paint store? 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.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Lois, I’ll be covering oil painting varnishing in a future article, the polyethylene furniture varnish usually has a tendency to yellow more over time.

      Cheers,

      Will

      1. Lois Glass Webb

        Thank you for your answer. I look forward to your information on varnishing oil paintings.
        Lois

  10. Norene Schreiner

    Thanks! Very informative!

  11. Tania

    Great subject Will, thank you very much. As you know I have started in acrylics not so long time ago and you are so helpful. I like that colours are so bright after varnishing, but I noticed sometimes there are some ugly streaks. I do use a very soft brush. What do I do wrong?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Tania,

      A number of things that cause streaks, from the varnish drying too quickly, to the brush technique on application, I’ll be looking at different application methods in the next varnishing article.

      Will

      1. Jacque Bernadette

        I was wondering if this was accurate? I do the first coat horizontally (left-to-right) and the second coat vertically (up-and-down). Prevents glare…

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Jacque,

          It would all depend on the position of the lights that would be shining onto the painting, whether the lighting was from above (a picture light for example) of from the side (a bright low window that has strong sunlight shining through) The biggest jump in change in glare would be a change in the sheen applied.

          Cheers,
          Will

      2. Tania

        Thank you Will!

  12. carol

    Thanks Will, great article, and very helpful to have the links to the work shown and the handbook. Totally amazing that something written so long ago is still in circulation and relevant! Many thanks to you for the practical and easy- to- understand info ~ your usual high standard :) I look forward to the oil painting info when it arrives!

    1. Will Kemp

      Pleased you enjoyed it Carol, yes it is quite amazing the similarities of problems with varnishing with artists through the ages!

  13. Yeside

    Haven’t quite hit the heirloom stage, Will, but find this very useful to assimilate. Have recently treated myself to the Acrylics Still Life video to gift me a lift during the January ‘Blues’ phase. Really admire your professionalism in handling this website. As a beginnner, i am growing with confidence as well as being inspired.
    Happy Christmas and wishing you continued success in 2014. :-)

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Yeside,

      Nice to hear from you, so pleased you’re growing with confidence in your painting, enjoy the still life course.

      Cheers,

      Will

  14. margaret

    I had been fussing over this idea just this morning (and on and off in recent months). A holiday gift, to find this in my e-mail inbox!! Thank you for the information, well-timed for me!

    1. Will Kemp

      Oh good one Margaret, great to hear the article was timely for you.

      Cheers,
      Will

  15. Lynne

    Thanks Will…really appreciate your arts generosity!

    Have you ever used Dorlands wax medium as a final varnish? After an isolation coat, it seems safer than removalble varnish, but I wonder whether cold wax is adequate protection.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Lynne,

      I’ve used a cold wax medium as a final varnish with oil painting, as you often use it as a matting agent with oil varnishes, but haven’t used it as a standalone varnish with acrylics. It might be a good question for the oil and wax forum, who have much more experience using cold wax.

      Also, you might find coldwaxpainting.com helpful

      Hope this helps,
      Will

  16. Mundo

    Hey Will,

    You are still at your best, Thanks for the info!
    I have heard and read over and over that oils over acrylics, is ok, but not the opposite, your isolation coat is prepared with acrylics, please enlighten me.

    Happy holidays

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Mundo,

      Yes, that’s right, the isolation coat is an acrylic polymer, painted over acrylics – not oil paints.
      Then you can paint over with either a waterbased or solvent based varnish.

      In a side profile it looks like this:

      varnish layer (final finish, can be gloss, satin or matte)

      isolation coat (must be with the gloss medium)

      paint layer (acrylic paint)

      Hope this helps,
      Will

  17. Tony Kalemba

    Hi Will,
    Hope all is well. Just wondering what the point is of using a solvent based varnish considering the polymer acrylic varnishes are non yellowing and water resistant? Seems to me to be a waste of time, unless acrylic varnish is for acrylic painting and solvent varnish is for oil painting. I mean it is not as if anyone would allow people to touch and deliberately damage their works!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Tony, I’m doing great thanks, it’s a personal choice regarding water-based or solvent based as mentioned in the pros and cons above.

      Cheers,
      Will

  18. Wanda McDonald

    Hi Will….what perfect timing, have just finished 3 acrylic landscapes and have been asking around at my local art supply store about varnishing them and was not really all that satisfied with what I’ve been told. Your article is perfect and I will be watching out for your next round of info on varnishing. Love your art, love your school and love your vids on Art Tutor…where I really discovered painting with acrylics (my favourite medium). Cheers, Wanda

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Wanda,

      Nice to hear from you and pleased the varnishing article was good timing for your landscape paintings.

      Cheers,
      Will

  19. Virginia

    Hello Will,
    I’m in my mid forties and have just begun painting and I’m loving every minute of it.
    I go to Art classes and have a great Art Teacher. I’m like a sponge soaking up all there is to know about Art, that’s when I came across your website. Your Info and tips are fantastic and really helpful.
    Thanks Will for taking your time and energy in putting your website together!

    Cheers from Australia and Merry Christmas!!
    Virginia

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Virginia,

      Thanks for your kind words on the website, so pleased you’re finding the articles helpful, have a fab Christmas!

      Cheers,

      Will

  20. alan

    Hi Will, great article as normal, I use atelier interactive acrylics (cant get golden) I obtained a Matisse clear sealer mm12 artists acrylic medium, it says for a light varnish where minimum protection is needed, , would this be okey for a isolation coat? or is there something you recommend using with the atelier interactive, cheers Will

  21. Lynda Dinneen

    As always Will, you have given such helpful information! Thank you! Merry Christmas!

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Lynda, and a Merry Christmas to you!

  22. Shirley Griffin

    Hello Will
    As usual you have given very informative advice. I have been wondering about glazing as I like the appearance. It is definitely worth considering. I have just finished a small painting of different character houses on a hill. Quite a quarky little piece . Thanks Will
    Shirley

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Shirley, Pleased you found the article of interest, your painting sounds like the perfect candidate!

      Cheers,
      Will

  23. Lynette Smith

    Thanks Will

    I have been trying to search for that type of information for ages without success!

    Regards
    Lyn

    1. Will Kemp

      You’re welcome Lyn, pleased you found it helpful.

      Will

  24. Malini Parker

    Hi Will,
    thank you for this informative article. One question – what would you use as an isolation coat if you were working with ATELIER products? I have been using Atelier Gloss Medium/Varnish or Binder Medium. In your experience, does this sound ok for isolation coat?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Malini,

      If you look at the Answer to Alan’s question in the comments above about using an isolation coat with Atelier, here are some helpful links:

      Thanks Alan,

      For Atelier it’s a little different because of the re-wetting qualities of the paint.
      You might find this article from Marion Boddy-Evans helpful.

      and this varnishing download from the Chroma website helpful.

      Cheers,
      Will

  25. Sue Maples

    At almost 60, I am feeling like a creative kid again! Thanks for your excellent web site. So far I have made mistakes, but am learning with every attempt. This Christmas I am giving away paintings as gifts. Your varnishing article prevented me from making another mistake! I was going to use bubble wrap as part of the gift wrap! (I said I was a beginner) Could you advise me as to how to properly package an acrylic painting?
    Merry Christmas and Many Thanks
    Sue from Texas

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Sue,

      As long as your varnish is dry, bubble wrap is one of the best ways to go.

      Make sure the bubbles are facing outwards (so it is flat onto the canvas surface)

      A couple of wraps over and the canvas will be well protected.

      If you are sending via post it is also worth having a sheet of thick cardboard behind the canvas to prevent anything going through the canvas. You can then make a cardboard corner protector for each corner as these will be the points that would take the most impact if the parcel was ever dropped.

      Hope this helps,

      Will

  26. avi burshtein

    Thanks Will
    I am almost 67
    I am feeling that with your excellent web site
    I am back at school!
    Thanks for
    I ask will you toget tips for oil Paintings
    Regards

    Avi

    ISRAEL

    1. Will Kemp

      You’re welcome Avi, pleased you’re enjoying the tutorials.

      Cheers,
      Will

  27. Murtaza

    Very insightful and useful info. So well explained and touched upon every aspect of Varnishing….you are a genius not only as an artist but as a Teacher….there are many with talent but few would have a talent to pass on their talent with such an ease and simplicity that anybody can understand….I am lucky to have found you….Thanks again.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Murtaza, thanks for your very kind comments, so pleased you found the articles helpful.

      Cheers,
      Will

  28. Kristine

    Hi Will
    Thanks for another very interesting article. I didn’t realise there was so much to take into consideration when varnishing!
    About a year ago I completed a large acrylic on canvas (120 x 120cm) which also has areas of gold leaf applied to it. I varnished it last-minute for an exhibition in London, using the only varnish I had in my studio at the time – Atelier Satin Medium & Varnish – which seemed to go on OK and looked OK.
    Since the exhibition the painting has been in a box in my studio, but I want to offer it to other exhibitions/galleries now … and after reading your article I’m wondering if I should varnish it again with something different. Your advice would be appreciated.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Kristine,

      If the painting has gold leaf on and a coat of varnish I would be tempted to leave the varnish coat you’ve 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.

      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.

      Hope this helps,

      Will

        1. Will Kemp

          You’re welcome Kristine, Merry Christmas!

  29. Julie Weston

    Thanks Will,
    I have already applied the gloss gel medium coat and was wondering about the varnish…you have explained it all so well and easily that I have clarity!..sometimes these processes are a little bewildering so a big thankyou

    1. Will Kemp

      You’re welcome Julie, pleased you found it helpful.

      Cheers,
      Will

  30. jmorise

    Wouldn’t it be okay to just use the isolation coat (gloss medium mixed with water)? It looks great and is water proof. Thank you for your great tips and your great videos. Jo

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Jo, yes you could do that, it would be similar effect to using a non-removable water-based polymer varnish.

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. jmorise

        Thank you. Have a great Holiday season. Jo

  31. Kathy Sturr

    Lately I have been exploring with watercolors on different materials. I like to use watercolor canvas and aquabord finding the finished product more exciting than the traditional matted and framed under glass watercolor. Any tips on “varnishing” a watercolor to protect it, say on a canvas or aquabord?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Kathy,

      I would always try to protect watercolours behind glass, as adding any product to the watersoluble surface of the watercolours runs the risk of re-wetting the paint and the level of protection will not be as great. But I appreciate for aesthetic reasons glass isn’t always ideal, you might be interested to have a read through this article on the considerations and options when varnishing a watercolour.

      Hope it helps,

      Will

      1. Nancy

        Recently, Golden’s website underwent a big design change, so the watercolour varnishing link would be here now:

        http://www.goldenpaints.com/technicalinfo_varnwatercolor

        …as I discovered a while back when I went to use my bookmarks :-)

        Thanks for this, and many other wonderful articles, Will!

        1. Will Kemp

          Cheers Nancy for the updated link.
          Will

  32. terri

    …as always, your studies and notes are invaluable! thanks, and happy new year!

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Terri, pleased it helped, Happy New Year!

      Cheers,
      Will

  33. David

    Will,

    Thanks so much for sharing this info. I was at a frame store the other day and they asked if the painting was varnished. Until then I had know idea about varnishing. I searched the web found your site and shared knowledge and it was exactly what I needed to know.

    Thank you,
    David

    1. Will Kemp

      Good one David, really pleased you found it helpful.
      Cheers,
      Will

  34. Lisa Palmer

    Excellent extremely helpful article, Will. Thank you!!! I’m so happy to have found you.
    One question: if one’s objective is to have a nearly gloss finish on one’s acrylic painting, would the isolation coat you recommend be enough to suffice?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Lisa, pleased you found it helpful, the isolation coat would give you an extra level of protection, but wouldn’t enable you to remove/clean in the future. It’s a bit like adding a non-removable water based permanent varnish.

      Cheers,
      Will

  35. Gayatri

    Dear Will….
    Thank you for the whole Package, full of useful information on the varnish topic. It would be very helpful if you could let me know as to how or whether exactly can i make corrections on a painting after it has been varnished and if so… the procedure to do so.. I am facing some difficulty with a budha painting in acrylic and asap need your advise.

    Thanks again and Cheers
    Gayatri..

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Gayatri, if you just have an isolation coat applied you can then retouch and change areas, but its harder to alter once the final varnish has been applied as the acrylic won’t adhere as easily to the surface without removing the varnish.

      Cheers,
      Will

  36. Anne Swiderski

    Hello Will, I’ve 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. One painting not has dry bubbles on its surface, many equidistant to each other. I tried applying a new coat but no change. Is this painting dead? LoL i know that its either too much water (I mixed it 4 varnish to 1 water) or too energetic mixing (i was as gentle as possible). I’ve heard of someone applying a hair dryer to the newly applied varnish to eliminate bubbles. thanks for this website.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Anne,

      Pleased you’ve been finding the site helpful, the usual culprit for the bubbles is, as you suspected – after too energetic mixing of the varnish (it is most noticeable with polymer varnishes) I usually tend to mix and then leave the mixture for 24hrs before applying if i’m working with a Polymer Varnish and want to be 100% sure of no bubbles.

      Cheers,

      Will

  37. Kari

    I am new to this and I have been reading over your site as to how to varnish my acrylic painting. I bought acrylic liquid glazing gloss and Golden soft gel Gloss, thinking that that is what I needed to complete my varnish. But I am now confused. Are those two products just for the isolation coat? What do I get for the actual varnish, if it is different than the products I listed above. If you could clarify for me, that would be awesome.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Kari,

      Both of those buys are excellent products, the Acrylic liquid glazing gloss is perfect for applying thin glazing layers to your paintings, but is not needed for the varnish part of the painting.

      If you want to have a removable picture varnish then you’ll need:

      1. Soft Gel Gloss – To act as the barrier ‘isolation coat’ layer
      2. A Varnish – depending on your aesthetic choices either a Polymer varnish or Mineral Varnish as discussed in the article.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers,

      Will

  38. Jay Holobach

    Will,

    Brilliant information as per the norm.

    -Is there such a thing as an expiration date on varnish? It all looks so great on the shelf at the local store (don’t get me started with online warehouses). How can I be sure it hasn’t been sitting there for three years?

    -How much does the environment influence the varnishing process? (Temp, humidity, et al?) Is there a preferable sweet spot?

    -“Two parts varnish, one part water”. Would you be so kind as to explain what a “part” is?

    Thanks Will.

    Kind regards,
    Jay

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Jay, pleased you found the article helpful, to answer your questions:

      -Is there such a thing as an expiration date on varnish? It all looks so great on the shelf at the local store (don’t get me started with online warehouses). How can I be sure it hasn’t been sitting there for three years?

      If the varnish is sealed it’s pretty good for years, it’s only if air gets into the mix it can start to change the consistency of the varnish.

      -How much does the environment influence the varnishing process? (Temp, humidity, et al?) Is there a preferable sweet spot?

      It’s best in a warm environment, if you’re spraying keep the spray next to the radiator before you varnish so you have a more consistent temperature between spray can and painting.

      -”Two parts varnish, one part water”. Would you be so kind as to explain what a “part” is?

      ‘part’ just means a measurement/percentage, Like saying 2 cups of varnish to 1 cup of water. The ‘part’ is larger or smaller depending on the size of the painting, but the ratio stays the same.

      So, for example, in a recipe that requires 150ml of isolation coat, 100ml would be soft gel gloss and 50ml would be water, this would be 2 parts soft gel gloss to 1 part water or 2:1

      Hope this helps Jay,

      Cheers,
      Will

  39. patricia

    Thank you again for such valuable guidance. You are truly thorough and most enthusiastic, which I find very refreshing.

    1. Will Kemp

      You’re welcome Patricia, thanks for your kind words.

      Cheers,
      Will

  40. Connie

    Thank you Will for the information. I will keep this in my files.

  41. Liz

    Hi Will, I use an acrylic satin finish varnish that comes in a spray can to protect my acrylic paintings and am satisfied with that.

    Most of my oil paintings over 30 years old have held their color very well. But there is one in dark background that shows some uneven patches of shine when looking at it from the side. How could that be remedied?

    Another somewhat related problem is that I found that a little linseed oil in the paint

    leaves shine in that part of the painting with water mixable oil paints and stays tacky for a long time after the painting is done, so I don’t use linseed as a medium anymore. So my problems are dealing with uneven shine and/or using thee wrong medium? Thanks for your help!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Liz, its due to the different absorbency of the oil paints into the canvas and would need ‘oiling out’ to even the sheen. Have a look at this article on varnishing oils which goes through the process.

      Cheers,
      Will

  42. Sharon Jordan

    I have a silly question. I would like to varnish a painting that I completed with acrylics. 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. I have learned a lot about how to make them better.

    Here is my silly question, what happens to glitter? I need to make a word pop on my painting. I have used silver paint already but it still needs to pop. I was thinking about varnishing because I have some very visible brush strokes and what not that I want to even out. Will varnish make the glitter not so glittery? Should I varnish and then add glitter on top of it? Stupid I know but I am not a traditional painter by any means…

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Sharon,

      Hope you’re doing well, the best way to apply a varnish with glitter is to lightly apply a spray varnish, or you can incorporate the varnish with a layer of soft gel gloss that will act as a glue to the glitter. You can paint your painting, apply a layer of soft gel gloss, sprinkle glitter and you’re away!

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Muzzi

        Hi Will,

        Great article! Im not a painter by any means, just a creator. I created a painting and added glitter over a part of the painting. Can I varnish (liquid) over the glitter?

        Thank you,
        Muzzi

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Muzzi,
          The only issue you’ll have with varnishing over glitter it that you will loose the ‘glitter effect’ due to the varnish coating the surface. Also, applying a liquid varnish would be hard to not move the glitter with the brush when applying it. A light spray would be easier to varnish the surface without disturbing the glitter, but would lose the sparkle.

          Cheers,
          Will

  43. Ken Cudmore

    I’m a little confused by ‘permanent’ , ‘non-removable’ varnishes versus “removable”. If I use a non-removable varnish such as Liquitex “gloss medium varnish” Fluid Medium , after I use a Golden Soft Gel Gloss as an isolation coat, would I be able to remove safely, this varnish at some point in the future? Also, is this Liquitex product, a combination of something like a Soft Gel Gloss and a varnish? So, you are probably wondering why I just don’t spray a varnish and the answer is that a 40×30″ painting results in the spray spitting varnish. I noted another artist used a sponge to apply the Liquitex product. 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.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Ken,
      You wouldn’t be able to remove a non-removable varnish safely without danger of damaging the picture surface.

      If you have an isolation coat, it gives you a slight edge, but the varnish isn’t designed to be removed. The Liquitex gloss medium varnish is similar in consistency and substance to the soft gel gloss, it is more of a medium than a traditional removable varnish, so yes ‘a combination of something like a Soft Gel Gloss and a (polymer) varnish’ sounds about right. In essence it would be like putting down an isolation coat, and then another isolation coat that you had mixed in some polymer varnish ontop of that. It would give you a smoother application, but if you where going down this route you could just build up layers of the Liquitex fluid medium.

      Hope this helps,

      Will

  44. Jim Cotts

    Will the varnish not eventually turn yellow?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Jim, as mentioned above, natural varnishes (such as Dammar) yellow over time. Man-made Synthetic varnishes do not yellow (if they do yellow at all it is a very slight shift compared with natural varnishes)

      Hope this helps,

      Will

  45. leslie

    HI will thank you

  46. David

    Will:
    I have a painting that has some impasto areas, made with Golden extra heavy gel gloss medium mixed into heavy body paint, and another area that is painted with thin multiple glazes made with heavy body paint mixed with soft gel gloss (50%) and water (50%). I’ve applied the isolation coat. Any thoughts on whether to apply, and if so how to apply, the varnish? I’m not sure how to get the varnish to go on evenly on both the peaks and valleys of the impasto areas. Thanks.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi David, hope you’re 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).

      You can make a small test piece and really exaggerate the peaks and valleys, then judge how many applications gives you the result you like aesthetically.

      Hope this helps,

      Will

      1. David

        Thanks so much, Will.

  47. Tomoko Ouchi

    Hello Will. I am getting ready to varnish a commissioned painting (acrylic). The size is 15″x60″. Your articles and Q&As are very helpful. I decided on an isolation coat with the Golden Soft Gel Gloss using the “pour and paint method” you explained in one of the replies. I cannot quite make up my mind on the varnish. I don’t have confidence to apply a polymer based varnish quickly enough on the panorama size surface. The solvent based varnish (brush) sounds better because it sounds like I have a larger window of time to apply the varnish. But is it not suitable to use in my small home studio? Or would spraying be easier? Your opinion will be greatly appreciated!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Tomoko, personally I would go for the Solvent based Brush option. Because the painting is quite narrow you’ll be able to cover it all in good time to get a nice even finish. You’d probably also be able to get away with a polymer varnish on that size. I would be tempted to do a ‘test run’, even on a piece of cardboard, just so you can get used to the feel and the flow of the size. It would be worth the cost of varnish lost, rather than a painting finish ruined!

      Hope this helps,
      Will

      1. Tomoko Ouchi

        Thank you so much for the reply, Will. Doing a test run makes a whole lot of sense -I would certainly feel more comfortable after that! I also wanted to comment that your recent article on whites is very helpful. Thanks again!

        1. Will Kemp

          You’re welcome Tomoko, yes it’s often just feeling a sense of confidence that can help, pleased you enjoyed the white article.
          Cheers,
          Will

  48. Rdbot

    Hello.

    Im working very large scale watercolors 6-7 ft across on canvas. I really like the look of them before varnishing. Up to now was using various spray applications. I feel this takes away from the subtle matt look which has the added benefit of many creative options to light it without hot spots… when I varnish it, theres a sheen which reflects light in places and in general I think it looks worse than the original. Also when I spray it on, seems its very uneven due to the large size. Im considering brushing, but….

    Some questions:

    How dangerous is it to leave a watercolor painting unvarnished? That would be my top pick, but dont think its safe.

    Or is there a varnish that is absolutely matt?

    Would a brushed on application work better in this case for reducing hotspots?

    Im curious also about trying wax varnish – I know this would give it a whole other effect, but im curious if that affect could be beautiful vs. what I find with spraying taking away from the beauty. Could a painting that large be wax varnished and polished effectively? Where might I learn more about the technique?

    The last consideration is archival qualities. Do I need to worry about reversible varnishes? In what cases?

    Thank you all in advance, look fwd. to hearing your suggestions.

    Best,

    R

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi R,
      Watercolours can be tricky because you can never remove the varnish as it become absorbed into the paper surface, this is from the Winsor & newton website:

      Varnishes do not work well with Gouache, water colour and drawings because the varnish will be deeply absorbed by the paint and/or paper, becoming an integral part of the picture and could cause discolouration. In addition, varnishes on works created using Gouache, water colour and drawing cannot be removed.

      You might find this article of interest that goes into different approaches (including wax) specifically for watercolours.
      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

      The watersoluble nature of the paint makes

  49. caryl hanks

    thanks Will. I enjoyed it but was over my head. Am 80 plus is why. lol. I am only painting on white gift bags from m. store. It’s for hand therapy but the pictures are so pretty I been using as gifts. Just thought the varnish would hold picture on good. Friends have been using as decorative pieces. thanks again. caryl

  50. Charles

    Hi Will thanks for these articles.

    I ve never varnished before but have delivered my paintings framed with uv glass.
    Now i paint acrylic on wood, gray scale white to black with a lot of texture brush marks and hard edges, glazing and transparencies due to regular matte gel. I would like to accentuate the vividness and depth of the colors and textures, like a wet effect but without it shining crazy. The paintings will go behind uv glass again.
    After reading your articles i was thinking of trying glossy isolation coat with a satin varnish on top. How would you see it? Are the old paintings safe behind glass if nothing at all was applied over the paint?
    Thanks very much ,
    Charles

    1. Will Kemp

      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. Your previous paintings will be well protected behind the glass.
      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

  51. Anna

    Hi,
    Thank you for the useful tips about the isolation coat.
    I have some Winsor and Newton Gloss Gel. Is it suitable as an isolation coat?
    It looks less dense and more transparent than the Golden soft gel, does it still need to be mixed with water?

    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.

    Thanks a lot and apologies for being a bit fastidious.
    (Just a bit anxious about experimenting with varnishing on acrylic for the first time…)

    Anna

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Anna, nice to hear from you, I haven’t personally used the Winsor & Newton gloss gel as an isolation coat so wouldn’t be able to say for sure if it would work in the same manner in terms of consistency and dilution with water.

      To answer your questions:

      Painting drying time
      Isolation can be applied after 24 hours drying with standard acrylics.

      Drying time between layers of isolation coats

      You only need one layer of isolation coat

      Isolation coat drying time before applying the varnish

      Ideally 24 hours, but can be done in a few hours when touched dry

      Drying time between layers of varnish.

      The drying time will vary depending on brand and type of varnish used, details will usually be on the bottle of the varnish.

      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

  52. Heather Brown

    Hello Will. This was very informative and very helpful. Just a few quick questions. Can I just do a quick isolation coat and be done? Or do I need to do more if I do an isolation coat? I’m not painting any abstracts or portraits, just a hobby painting silhouettes, the occasional flower.. I may give them as gifts, I’m so tossed up if I should varnish or not..

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Heather, you could just go straight on with a polymer varnish, the isolation coat is only if you intend to replace the varnish layer in the future.
      Cheers,
      Will

  53. Karen

    Hi Will,

    Totally love LOVE your site! Such generosity in sharing your information and knowledge, and so cheerful and encouraging too. Fabulous for a newbie to the craft. Question – I painted an acrylic landscape and the darks – the shadows in the trees, and the dark tree trunks – all darkened as they dried (of course) until now it’s hard to distinguish the different tones in those areas; the different darks can no longer easily be discerned from each other. SOOOO …. Will a matte varnish improve it (due to lightening the darks), or will a gloss be better (due to increasing the tonal range)?

    Thank you!!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Karen, pleased you’ve been enjoying the site. If you can’t distinguish the different tones within the painting
      the varnish won’t make a big enough difference to ‘pull’ the tones out. A gloss varnish would make more of a difference than the matte, but a few extra brushstrokes of paint would be the best remedy.
      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Karen Wynn

        Thanks, Will! Okay, I will consider it as a not-yet-quite-completed work, and fix it with paint.

  54. Linda

    I painted with oil but used golden extra heavy gel to enhance…used it all over. Should I also varnish or is the gel a type of varnish? help asap

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Linda, did you use the Extra heavy gel ontop of the oil?

      1. Linda

        Yes, I used oil first then the acrylic medium gel

        1. Will Kemp

          Usually you would have an acrylic base and then an oil paint ontop due to the differences in drying time and the lack of adhesion of the acrylic medium onto the oil surface.
          I would add texture with the acrylic gel and then add the oil on top or use an impasto medium for the oil paint (such as Winsor & Newton Oleopasto)

          For varnishing, you wouldn’t need an isolation coat but treat the painting as if it were an oil painting.
          Hope this helps,

          Cheers,
          Will

          1. Lina

            Maybe I did not explain myyself

            First I made Giclee, then I enhanced with oil colors (not painting everything)
            Next I went over covering all and adding some texture with Golden Gel Gloss medium which is acrylic…Now, do I varnish with acrylic based varnish or oil based varnish?

            Thx and sorry for the confusion!

          2. Will Kemp

            Hi Lina,
            Ahhh, that adds a slight complication as the ink for a Giclee print is usually water based, so solvent-based oil varnishes are best avoided, the only varnishes that can be applied to a Giclee print are acrylic water-based varnishes.

            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).

            Cheers,
            Will

          3. Linda

            Thx so much… Lets hope the family enjoys the picture long enoough for that to happen.. Lol

          4. Will Kemp

            Okay, good one Linda, hope the piece turns out well.
            Will

          5. Linda

            We will spk again… Thx

        2. Lina

          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! Thank you for your help…..

          Next question…got an old half finished oil painting sitting around…last night I smothered it with acrylic gesso primer…leaving lots of texture. I intend to paint with oil over it….do I have to worry about peeling once it dries?

          1. Will Kemp

            Hi Lina, pleased the painting worked out well for you.

            I intend to paint with oil over it….do I have to worry about peeling once it dries?

            Yes, because you would have painted acrylics ontop of oil, rather than the oil ontop of acrylics.

            Will

          2. Linda

            Thanks…guessI will throw out the canvas rather than take a chance!

  55. Nicole Bergmann

    Hi Will, I’ve 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. For varnishing I use the GOLDEN Polymer Varnish and now I read that they are not suitable for stretched canvas and also shouldn’t be thinned with tap water. I did all of this though (I didn’t notice a difference between Australian tap water and European tap water, which is much harder) and never had a major problem. I also never heard of an isolation coat before. Do you recommend I change my habits? I’m a bit worried now about my future paintings- Thanks a lot and best regards, Nicole

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Nicole, nice to hear from you, your paintings will still be technically sound and protected with the varnish, the isolation coat just makes it easier for the varnish layer to glide onto the surface and gives a protective layer so in the future if the varnish needs replacing the acrylic paint surface will be protected when the varnish is removed. Distilled water is the ideal, but personally I’ve never had any problems using regular tap water. The Varnish will be suitable for stretched canvas. Here is the Golden technical page on Polymer varnish that goes into more details. Hope this helps,
      Will

      1. Nicole Bergmann

        Thanks so much Will, This helps a lot and makes me feel much better. Thanks for sharing so much knowledge. Nicole

        1. Will Kemp

          You’re welcome Nicole, hope it helps.
          Will

  56. Shirley

    Hi, Thank you for the article. I must missed something. I try to read couple time, but I don’t seem to find you talking about removable varnish which is the kind you preferred? Can you point out to me?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Shirley, under the ‘What approach do I take’ heading in the article:

      So what approach do I take?

      I apply an isolation coat, which will always be gloss.

      Then leave it to dry for 24hours so I can assess the level of sheen that will best suit the painting colours and the environment the painting is going to hang (if it’s a specific commission). It’s worth taking into consideration bright lights within the hanging space as these can often cause a glare on a too glossy finish.

      Most of the time I would then mix a bespoke solvent based varnish by adding matte varnish to a gloss varnish. So in essence creating a controllable satin finish.

      I apply thin coats, sometimes 3 or 4 always assessing when it’s dry whether I’m happy with the level of sheen/colour saturation compromise.
      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

  57. Christy

    Question: I purchased a recently purchased small oil painting. I am not going to frame it, just put it on an easel. It was not varnished. Is it essential that it be varnished or can I display on a shelf as is? Thanks for your time.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Christy, no it’s not essential, it’s down to your personal aesthetic choice for the finish.
      Cheers,
      Will

  58. Rey

    Hi Will, I need some help. I work an unusual technique with fallen dry leaves pasted over cardboard and yet I haven´t found a good way for varnish it. The problem is a kind of leaves with velvety and porous texture that absorb part of the varnish, leaving stains when dry. I tried with acrilic varnishes, Liquitex, Mod Podge, Delta but the same result. Somebody told me that is because those are waterbased, so I should try a more hard resin coat or a silicon varnish. I don´t know about it. Please, any recommendation in this case? Thanks

  59. sebastian

    Hi Will,

    Thanks for the info. I’m going to be using a spray varnish and the canvas hasn’t been stretched yet and i’m sending the painting rolled up. Is it ok to roll the canvas after letting the varnish dry?

    Thanks!

      1. jmorise

        Thanks Will for the link to Agora Gallery. I’ve read horror stories about storing and shipping paintings – oil and acrylic. I feel relieved – somewhat. :-)

        1. Will Kemp

          You’re welcome Jo, hope you’re keeping well.
          Will

  60. Sarah

    Hi Will,
    Your website is so informative, really interesting to browse through!
    I have completed a Christmas mural in acrylics on 6 large canvases which will be used for a couple of years as set dressing at a visitor attraction. As they’ll be in a dusty environment with lots of people passing, no doubt touching the pictures, and so I’d like to give them some kind of protection. However, as I’m sure they’ll 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? The paint is applied relatively thinly so should be truly dried, however they are a last minute request therefore any type of varnishing needs to be done in a short timescale!
    Any advice would be much appreciated, Thanks, Sarah.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Sarah, nice to hear from you and pleased you’ve been finding the site of interest. Due to the nature of the pieces you could apply a final picture varnish straight onto the canvas without an isolation coat. A polymer based varnish would dry pretty quickly, but wouldn’t be as hard as a MSA varnish.

      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. It will yellow slightly, but will be more cost effective on the large scale and give a very tough finish.

      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Sarah

        Hi Will,
        Thanks very much for those suggestions, the yacht varnish may well be the best option for the scale and amount of handling they’ll take. Best wishes, Sarah.

        1. Will Kemp

          You’re welcome Sarah, hope the project goes well.
          Cheers,
          Will

  61. Hugop, abstract painter

    I worried about putting a varnish that stays in place permanently, now I know that I must take the removable. Thanks.

  62. Laura

    I’m new to this and just found you, thank goodness! . I use acrylic painting for mental therapy. I ALWAYS varnish ALL my paintings, and have never heard of an isolation coat before now! I’ll start doing it now, but is it a big deal to ones already varnished? I truly am an amateur as you can see in my etsy store, but just need your advice. Thanks in advance for your advice!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Laura, your existing paintings will be absolutely fine in terms of protection, you would just have to be more careful when replacing the varnish not to damage the surface of the painting.
      Cheers,
      Will

  63. Monica

    Hello Will,

    I recently varnished an acrylic abstract painting with Liquitex High Gloss varnish (undiluted), and I did not do a good job. The first brush that I used wasn’t big enough and left a lot of gaps in coverage. For the second coat, I used a larger brush, but I made the mistake of using a 2″ brush intended for wood varnish and it left noticeable brush lines. It is now a streaky disaster. Is there any saving it?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Monica, for the high gloss varnish you can keep on adding coats, so yes, you can apply a few more thin layers of varnish to even out the brush strokes from the stiffer bristles. Below is the recommends process from Liquitex: (the bold has been added by me)

      1. Use a wide, soft hair brush or paint pad (vacuum the pad prior to use to remove lint). Size of area to be varnished will determine the size of the applicator. The smaller the surface area, the narrower the brush. Generally, a 1-4″ flat brush is used.

      2. Apply Liquitex varnish in 1-3 thin coats, rather than 1 thick coat. A thick coat will take longer to dry, may dry cloudy, may drip or sag during application and has a greater chance of showing brush strokes when dry.

      4. Horizontal surface application is best with less chance of varnish running. After varnishing, the surface should be shielded with a protective “tent”. This will prevent any dust or airborne particles from settling into varnish as it dries.

      5. Apply Liquitex varnish in slightly overlapping pattern that covers entire artwork. Apply in horizontal and vertical brush strokes, so that entire area is evenly coated.

      6. Do not rework areas you might miss as the brush could pick up partially dried varnish and cause clouding. If areas are missed, wait until the varnish is dry and apply another coat.

      7. When applying Liquitex Matte Varnish or Satin Varnish, apply no more than 1-2 thin coats. A thick application may result in cloudiness when dry. If more than 2 coats are desired, first varnish with Gloss Varnish until desired thickness is achieved, then final varnish with matte or satin varnish.

      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

  64. Jeanine

    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. It was pretty chilly and when I can back to look at them they had dried cloudy and somewhat streaky. Can I salvage these paintings? They are for an event and I don’t have a lot of time.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Jeanine, I haven’t personally used Clear Coat so wouldn’t know for sure, varnish works best in a warmer environment, ideally with the varnish room temperature. let me know if you find out anything from the manufacturer.
      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Eva

        Hi Will, I have just completed my first acrylic painting on canvas and it is a portrait of my grandaughter who is two years old. I have been reading your site and will apply an isolation coat as it protects the paint. Could you please advise me if it is better to use as a varnish the satin finish as opposed to the gloss or matt varnishes for portraits, based on your experience?

        Thank you,
        Eva

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Eva, they will each give you a different aesthetic finish, which will often vary depending on personal preference and the style and mood of the painting. It’s best to try a few test pieces with the different finishes first to see which look you prefer. When you apply an isolation coat it will look very glossy, so it can give you an idea of if you like the gloss varnish look, and then judge from there.
          Hope this helps,
          Cheers,
          Will

          1. Eva

            Hi Will, thank you, I greatly appreciate your advice and will implement your suggestions.
            I have found your site to be informative and encouraging for myself as I am new to this beautiful hobby.
            Kind regards,Eva

          2. Will Kemp

            Great to hear it Eva.
            Cheers,
            Will

  65. Maureen

    Hi Will,
    First want to thank you for sharing so much information on your website. I have done 3 of your online courses and they have been fantastic!
    My question..you have answered some of it (Liz, Feb 2014) but her question was on oil painting. I painted an agrylic painting about 2 years ago (not varnished). I have recently moved it to another place where there is more light from a window. With more light falling onto the painting I have noticed patches where there’s more shine (looks like a milky layer) at some areas of the painting when I look from the side. I am so disappointed. Will varnishing help to solve this problem?
    I used water to thin the paint but at some places I have used flow medium. Can this cause this milky shine look?
    I read your advice to Liz but that is for an oil painting. Please help!

    Thanks in advance for your time and advice

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Maureen, pleased you’ve been enjoying the website and courses.

      The differences in sheen will be due to the differences in amount of acrylic polymer (which is usually glossy) the differences in amount of flow medium and the different absorption rates into the painting support.

      Adding an isolation coat and then a varnish layer will even out the surface appearance to an even sheen. Also, if the painting is in sunlight having a varnish layer will add UV protection to the paint pigments, as some pigments aren’t as lightfast as others.

      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

  66. LINDA HISLE .

    I have just finished an acrylic painting for a show. I used liquitex gloss varnish and after that cured 2 coats of liquitex matte varnish. Since it has dried I have noticed 2 small spots that are shiney. Is it possible to apply a little light matte to those areas without having to apply another coat to the entire painting? I am afraid another full coat of matte will dull down the painting.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Linda, it is possible, but more often than not you’ll see a join where the two layers meet. I would try on a test piece first (purposely miss sections with the gloss and then try to match with the matte) before going for it on the finished painting.
      Will

      1. LINDA HISLE .

        Thank you so much Will for your input. I thought as much myself and went ahead today and applied another coat of the Matt varnish. It looks fine now a little dulled down but it’s uniform in its finish. It may look different after 24 to 48 hours and pick up more vibrancy. I must tell you as a self taught artist I am delighted I found your site. Once I get this painting safely out the door and on its way to the show to, irony, raise money for art education I plan on really looking over your site. Once again thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my question.
        Linda

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Linda, pleased the extra coat worked well to even the sheen, hope the painting sale goes well.
          Cheers,
          Will

  67. Zed

    Dear Will, I am new to the acrylics rather in painting, I mostly do on the Canvas but on the cardboard too. I dont claim to be a great artist but people say my art is eye=catching. You information for the experienced painters looks fine, I am totally confused. Could you help me out by sending me a to the point information or the reply to my questions as asked below:

    1- I would like to know the brand keeping in view a cheaper price, like Liquitex or Golden, which is better please? 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.
    2- As far as I understood, I need to apply Isolation coat on the acrylics painting. Please send me the picture of the bottle and how to mix this Gel with the water? Solvent etc or the other one me confused, just let me know please which specific one shall I buy?
    3- The brief method of applying this.
    4- time to let it dry?
    5- Type of brush? or any brand? Should not be that expensive as i dont afford that much.
    6- Then which specific Varnish I should buy, I need the picture of the bottle, I use THICK PAINTS…… My paintings has a texture due to think paint.
    7- how much time to dry the varnish after the 1st coat?
    8- how many coats?
    9- Glossy is better or Satin, I use very very bring colors and dont want the painting to look dim or dull. I WANT THIS TO BE VIBRANT AS ORIGINAL, .I know that I wrote so many questions but i need to be specific that instead of any further research, I should go and buy the stuff straight away. . I have gone through so many You tube sessions, all talk different and so confusing… Thanks for your time…Regards

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Zed,

      Nice to hear from you, to answer your questions:

      1- I would like to know the brand keeping in view a cheaper price, like Liquitex or Golden, which is better please? 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.

      Any artist quality acrylic will be good, you can start by investing in an artist quality white and then building up your paints from there.

      Here’s an article on applying an isolation coat that goes through the materials and brushes I use.

      Gloss varnish will be best for high saturation.
      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Zed

        Thanks Will, My question was for the Varnish, which varnish shall I use? and please let me know the answers of rest of my questions . I use think paint , so shall I apply the isolation coat and then varnish with the brush ? or Spray, spray is costly.

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Zed, it’s a personal choice as discussed in the article above, either a polymer based varnish or a solvent based varnish. Try both on a small painting and see which you prefer.
          Cheers,
          Will

  68. Shirley

    Hi, Will, After reading some of your reply to others, I thought I was all set choose the right varnish. When I went to Art store, I felt more confused then ever. I use oil and a lot of liquin. Especially lately I use a lot of glaze technic,little paint, lots liquin. Past few days, I started to try the glazing technic with Copal medium. The area with more glaze shows a lot of sheen. So the painting has some area shining, some area is not. Will varnish help even out? Could varnish being effected because I use a lot of liquin? Could you suggest a varnish to use? Also, since I use a lot of drying medium and every layer dry overnight, do I still have to wait 6 months to varnish? Thank you.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Shirley, you might find this article of interest that looks at varnishing oil paintings
      Yes, copal medium will be much more glossy than liquin, but a couple of layers of varnish will even the sheen out. Gamblin varnish is a modern oil varnish that you can paint onto an oil painting when it is touch dry (yes touch dry whoo hoo!)
      Hope you find the article helpful.
      Cheers,
      Will

  69. Denny Martindale

    Thank you so much Will for sharing this info! I have about 6 oils I have done over the past 10-12 years and have been advised everything from don’t varnish at all, to using straight Damar varnish. Going to read your latest post about varnishing. Thanks again!

  70. Monique Oliver

    Hi Will

    I’ve been sent a Golden soft gel medium in SEMI gloss. Is this the stuff you mean or is there a full gloss version? Also, would the Winsor Glazing medium be suitable for an isolation coat – it is glossy. I ask because with the type of art I do I can’t mix water with the medium and I suspect the gel medium is going to be too thick for me? I’ve used the Winsor Gloss medium undiluted which worked fine but I would like an even higher gloss finish and the glazing medium has very good reviews? Thanks for such an informative site!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Monique, Golden paints recommend just using the Soft Gel Gloss medium for an isolation coat. For semi-gloss or matte mediums a white matting agent is used to create the matte finish, so a gloss medium is preferable because it would give the cleanest film, especially if you’re going for a high gloss finish. I couldn’t say for sure regarding the Winsor glazing gel as personally I’ve always used the Golden Soft Gel.
      Cheers,
      Will

  71. Micaelina

    Love your tips! I recently bought Winsor & Newton professional gloss spray varnish. I read online that I should wait 6-12 months after painting an acrylic piece before varnishing! This sounds crazy. What do you think? Also, how soon after spraying the varnish can I ship the piece? Thanks!

    1. Will Kemp

      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.
      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

  72. Carolyn

    Hi Will
    I want to enter my art work into competition and need to photograph them, put on an isolation coat and the varnish and also want to frame a couple.
    I read that it is best to photograph without the final protective coats. But I want to photograph them framed. And when I apply the final coats it will also look different. Should I frame the piece, photograph it, take out of the frame, apply the final coats, then reframe?
    Thank you for all of the information on your website.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Carolyn, the varnish will deepen the colours and make them look more saturated but give you the extra chance of glare on the surface when photographing. The safest way to cover all bases to see which image you prefer is to set up your camera on a tripod and then photograph at each stage. Once before varnishing, once after varnish has dried and once when framed. Then you can have an edge to edge clean image as once framed (depending on your lighting) you can have shadows from the edge of the frame fall onto the canvas.

      Also, it’s worth having a small piece of white paper (or a photographer’s 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. Take a picture with the white paper or grey card every time the light changes and you’ll be able to adjust in a photo editing app.

      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Carolyn

        Thank you so very much Will for the advice. It is greatly appreciated.

  73. Matthijs

    Hi Will,
    I work in oils and when I let my painting dry for a month or so before varnishing, tiny pieces of dust will stick to my painting. How can I avoid that?
    Matthijs from the Netherlands(:

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Matthijs, you could try using a varnish like Gamvar from Gamblin paints than can be applied oils when the surface is touch dry.
      Will

  74. Tricia Sutton

    I’m here because I was looking for troubleshooting after the fact. Now I have learned from your site why all my Halloween paintings got ruined: I used a matte finish when I should have used gloss. Halloween means black and that was the main color on all the paintings. So thank you for solving the mystery. Now please help me. Can it be fixed? can I do anything to darken my blacks? Paint over them? Will gloss varnish restore it? Am I screwed?

    1. Will Kemp

      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.
      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

  75. Sonia

    Hi Will! It’s been a few years since you wrote this great article. Thought I would ask – is the milkiness of the matte varnishes out there still an issue? I have completed the first of many (hopefully) acrylic paintings that has bright colors and heavy black lines, like stained glass. I want a matte finish for reduced glare, but I want to keep the colors bright and vivid and the blacks really rich. Any suggestions? Do you still recommend mixing matte varnish with gloss varnish? Thanks in advance! And nice going answering all the comments. Love that! Cheers! S

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Sonia, by its nature, a matte varnish will always give a slightly lighter black than if you used a gloss varnish. Yes, you can intermix gloss and matte to create your perfect mix or opt for a satin varnish which is halfway between the two.
      Cheers,
      Will

  76. Judy Mather

    Hi Will, my question is what varnish or protection do I put on a painting with both acrylic and oil? Thanks, Judy

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Judy, many modern varnishes can be used with both oils and acrylics, it will say on the varnish description if it’s suitable for both. Gamvar from Gamblin is a good choice.
      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Judy

        Thank you so much for your help always.

  77. susan santiago

    Hi will,
    Love your site. I was wondering if you have ever tried Liquitex Soluvar varnish ?
    I love it and you don’t get that milky look.
    I don’t apply an isolation coat first- but should I ?
    Gracias

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Susan, yes it’s a nice varnish. As a removable varnish an isolation coat can help with varnish application and removing/replacing the varnish layer in the future, this is from the Liquitex website:

      ‘Apply 1-2 coats of Liquitex Gloss Varnish as an isolation barrier. The barrier coat physically separates the acrylic painting from the Liquitex Soluvar Varnish and seals the surface. This aids in a more even application of Liquitex Soluvar Varnish and protects the painting if the Liquitex Soluvar Varnish needs to be removed. Allow to dry for 3 days.

      Hope this help,
      Will

  78. Marj

    Thank you for the explicit information.

  79. Brendan

    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” ?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Brendan, gloss varnish will give you the most ‘wet look’ to your paintings, you just might need a number of coats to build up the layers.

      Cheers,
      Will

  80. Megan Cosido

    HIi, Will

    I’m currently in the process of making a two-panel painting for my school project that’ll be shown in an exhibit a month from now, and I’m 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? and can that coating be applied as early as when I’m finished painting it?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Megan, a modern varnish that can be applied to oils when the surface it touch dry for oils is Gamvar from Gamblin. This can also be applied to acrylics.

      Cheers,
      Will

  81. Laura

    I painted and varnished a painting that I no longer like. I would like to paint over it using acrylic paint. I used an acrylic spray varnish, so would the new acrylic paint stick to it? Or do I need to remove the varnish? Since it’s so textured, this is not really an option for me because I wouldn’t have the patience to do it! I would appreciate someone’s expertise! Thanks! -Laura

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Laura, it would be a very slippery surface to paint on top of the varnish and the acrylic won’t adhere as well, if you don’t want to remove the varnish you can roughly sand over it to give you more of a tooth but the paint still won’t grab on the same as an absorbent canvas surface.
      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Laura

        Thanks so much, Will. That’s what I figured, but I really appreciate your expert advice!

  82. Pat

    I am an amateur who dabbles in a lot of different things. I haven`t painted in a while because I have been building some furniture. I usually have at least fifteen different projects in some state of semi completion. I have always used Grumbacher spray finishes on my acrylic paintings. I had a painting that was done, but not varnished, decided to finish it to give to someone, took it out to the garage, grabbed the can of spray sitting on the bench, and proceeded to spray. After the fourth coat, I realized I had used Minwax polyurethane meant for wood. Is this going to be a problem?
    thanks, Pat

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Pat, the only real issue would be if you wanted to have a removable varnish surface as you’d 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. I haven’t personally used the Minwax varnish but you could contact them direct to be doubly sure.
      Will

  83. Peter

    Hi Will,

    Been reading through years of this treasure trove (which it totally is), and learned a lot.
    Many things I totally wasn’t aware of when I started my painting.
    Total production of paintings is super low (hobbyist) and just been lucky with varnishing up until now I guess. Still sort of lucky but stuck with a question I don’t know the answer to.
    Specific situation: acrylic paint on canvas. Had a ‘it’s finished’ feeling twice already:
    so it’s been varnished with Talens glossy varnish (spray can), after which I continued painting on top of both coatings.
    Both varnish coatings came directly on top of paint without isolation coat.
    Third time round (this time fully sure it was finished ;) I decided to go for a satin version of Talens varnish (spray can again).
    Everything went perfect again, but seeing the satin result, must admit it slightly takes just a hint of depth away from the painting, compared to the earlier glossy finish.
    So I’m sort of tempted to go look for the full wet glossy effect again.
    My question for now is how I should go about it…

    Can I respray a glossy layer on top, to find full detail depth again, or will I just end up with a more shiny version still with the loss of depth enclosed due to earlier satin layer?
    Would love to hear your insights on this Will.
    Big thanks for your knowledge and your time. Topnotch !!!
    Peter

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Peter, nice to hear from you and glad you’ve been finding the articles helpful. Yes, you’ll be able to respray a glossy coat on top, however, as you mentioned, because the satin coat has already been sprayed ontop some of the satin matting agent will still remain so it won’t be a crystal clear as just with the gloss varnish.
      Will

  84. Julia

    Your site is informative and I’m very grateful for your tips and suggestions.

    Recently I am re-discovering painting with acrylics after some 30 years of doing watercolour paintings. The other day I was reminded to varnish my paintings (techniques have changed somewhat and anyway I’ve forgotten a lot) and at the recommendation of an artist friend I purchased Liquitex’s gloss medium and varnish combo as I’m using Liquitex paints. Some folks seem to dilute their varnish; others, don’t. Do you have any comments/suggestions to help me decide?

    As well, I note that you and a few other artists warn about wrapping varnished paintings in bubble wrap for transport; however, none of you offer any alternate suggestions. Will bubble wrap always mark up varnished paintings, no matter how long ago they were treated?

    Many thanks for your help.
    Regards, Julia

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Julia, the varnish will usually say if it needs diluting or not and the ratios for dilution. The directions for the Liquitex Gloss medium & Varnish recommend:

      “Dilute Gloss Medium and Varnish up to 20% for better brushing and leveling.”

      Wrapping in bubble wrap is absolutely fine once the varnish is dry, it’s just when deadlines loom and the varnish is still wet. Just make sure the bubbles are facing towards you so there is a flat surface on the painting surface.
      Hope this helps,
      Will

  85. Carolyn Chaffee

    Hi Will,
    Thanks so much for this info—it was necessary, helpful and encouraging!
    Best,
    Carolyn

    1. Will Kemp

      Brilliant to hear Carolyn, so pleased you enjoyed it.
      Will

  86. Vivien Allen

    Does sealing/varnishing affect the price of the painting?

    1. Will Kemp

      Sometimes a glossy surface can appear to be ‘more finished’ so may affect a customers perception, but it’s usually more of a case of having one even sheen that brings the painting together so the piece works aesthetically.
      Cheers,
      Will

  87. Sharada Iyer

    I did some floral painting directly on my old sanmica table top using acrylic colours. The base black colour is completely dry. But the other colours are little bit sticky even after 3 days. Can I use any varnish on the painting? If yes, what varnish should I use?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Sharada, the acrylics should dry within a few hours, if they are really thick they might take a couple of days. For furniture, the most hardwearing is a polyurethane varnish.
      Cheers,
      Will

  88. Louise Roussel

    thank you so much Will for sharing your knowledge.

  89. Ouma Fred

    Good work, art man! As much as I am an artist biased against the use of varnish on oil paintings, I found your tips worthy.

  90. Susan

    Hi Will,
    So glad you have this website with your expert advice!
    My question regards acrylic ink. I’ve 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. I like the color saturation of the inks. I was wondering if you suggest an isolation coat and final varnish as you described in this section or if something else is better with acrylic ink. Also, if the work on paper will be framed with glass, is it fine not to varnish it if I’m happy with the appearance as it is? Thank you!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Susan, pleased you’ve been finding the articles of interest. For works on paper, I’d tend to go with the framed under glass route as the gloss of the isolation coat will change the visual aesthetic of the matte watercolour paper. For works on canvas, the same route of an isolation coat can be used but I would double check with the manufacturers recommendations, I use Golden high flow paints and here are their recommendations:

      Isolation Coats and Varnishing: Allow 12-24 hours for the HFA layers to dry before applying isolation coats or varnish layers. Some colors, such as the Fluorescent Colors, can take longer to fully cure than others. Test the process to identify the amount of time to wait for drying or which mediums can be more problematic than others.

      Cheers,
      Will

  91. Linda Bass

    Hi Will,

    I recently used Golden Acrylic Glazing Liquid (Gloss) Medium as a finish coat for a portrait, and like the results. However, I didn’t dilute it with water. I was planning to do the same with quite a few other paintings, but am now wondering whether this is really okay to do. Is there a danger of smearing paint or other unhappy results?

    Two questions: Why do you suggest adding water? Is this the wrong product to be using for this purpose? I don’t really want to varnish—I was just hoping to add gloss and create depth of color.

    Thanks so much for this wonderful website and your terrific videos!

    Best,
    Linda

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Linda, it wouldn’t be any danger of smearing the paint as long as the underlying layer of paint has dried. I use a different product by Golden called Soft Gel Gloss which is much thicker from the tube than glazing liquid gloss and then apply a varnish over the top. If you don’t want to varnish you could apply a gloss top coat that contains UV protection that will help with the lightfastness of colours.

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Linda Bass

        Thanks, Will. Are you suggesting the Soft Gel Gloss as the product to use for UV protection? Or would the glazing liquid accomplish the same thing? Or is there a better third product?

        Thanks in advance. So appreciative of your help!

        Linda

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Linda, they are 3 different products:

          Glazing Liquid Gloss – usually used for thining colours in the final stages of the painting

          UV Top Coat – Can be used as a non-removable finish but not as durable as varnish:

          The UV Topcoats, when used as a final layer, should greatly increase the longevity and lightfastness of whatever media you are working with. Overall they will lower water-sensitivity, limit air exposure, and provide substantial UV protection. However, if exhibiting pieces without glass, we strongly recommend also applying one of our removable varnishes to facilitate cleaning and future conservation. Please consult our website for information regarding Varnish Application.

          Soft Gel Gloss – Can be used as an isolation coat (to separate the final paint layer and the removable varnish layer)

          Here’s a dilution video from Golden using Soft Gel Gloss

          Hope this helps,
          Will

  92. coco

    Hi Will,
    I just completed a 40×60 canvas acrylic painting. Although I am pleased with the outcome, there are many uneven sheen areas, mainly visible from the sides. I assumed the varnishing would even it all out, but after a couple light coats, not really. I am using a satin spray varnish. Overall the varnishing improved the appearance, but in some areas I feel the uneven sheen was enhanced, sticking out like a sore thumb. Am I expecting too much, or should I apply more coats? Does it eventually all level out? Any help would be great. Thanks so much!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Coco, for acrylics, I tend to apply an isolation coat first to even the sheen and then apply a varnish on top of that to the desired sheen level I’m after.
      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Coco

        Oh thanks so much, is it too late to do that isolation coat and go over it again with varnish? Even if I can’t use it for varnish removal purpose but to even the sheen?

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Coco, yes, it would be too late for this particular painting but you could just build up the layers of the spray varnish. I know of some artist that build up 15-20 layers of spray varnish to produce a glass-like finish.

          Hope this helps,

          Cheers,
          Will

          1. Coco

            Great, thanks for your help!!

  93. Mira

    What a generous wealth of support you are to all of us. I 1st discovered your artist vocabulary list which is so welcome and helpful. Thank you so much for your informative information about vanishes and why do so and why not. This is all a bit ahead of me, however very welcome and I love learning all you offer. My 1st quest was to find out what “OMS” refers to. I read a review by a painter who used “OMS” and it spurred my search. “I usually will cover my entire surface with OMS before painting just to allow my paint to move more like it should in the initial stages, or sometimes just do a thinned wash of color and then let it dry completely to seal the surface.” Any clues about meaning of OMS? My 2nd inquiry is for guidance about what is best additive to Acrylic paint to get it to have consistency and dry more slowly – closer to oil paints? I prefer oils, however cannot use them due to multiple allergies, breathing reactions to chemicals complicated by asthma. I will appreciate any suggests/thoughts from you.
    Mira

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Mira, so pleased you’ve been enjoying the lessons, OMS is Odourless Mineral Spirits used with Oil Paints, Gamblin paints make a nice one called Gamsol. You can add a slow drying medium to the acrylics although this will change the handling properties. You can also get OPEN acrylics that have a much longer working time. The other alternative is to try water-mixable oils. You can read a comparison article here
      Cheers,
      Will

  94. Nick

    Hi Will,

    Do you had any advice on removing minor surface damage/rubbing to dried varnish? (I thought I’d packaged up a varnished painting very well, but it got a bit squished during transit)

    Thanks!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Nick, I just had a flashback to seeing lots of tiny bubblewrap marks on an equally squished canvas! What I ended up doing was applying a thin coat of spray varnish to even the sheen, this was for a gloss finish. For a semi-gloss finish, you can try adding a small amount of cold wax medium and buffing it to give a bit more sheen, but I’d test a bit first to see if the sheen level matches your existing canvas. Hope this helps,
      Will

      1. Nick

        Thanks for the reply, Will. The gallery is going to do another thin coat of gloss. Luckily I’ve been paying attention to your posts on isolation coats, etc… so not too much of a disaster if things go badly

        1. Will Kemp

          Good one Nick, glad the gallery could add an extra coat, hope the show goes well!
          Will

  95. Bev

    I just completed a painting for my musician ex. Acrylic violin and bow against a black gesso background. Is it safe to varnish over the whole painting or will the gesso run? Thank you. Saving your site for fantastic info.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Bev, yes the acrylic gesso will be safe to varnish over, pleased you’ve been enjoying the site.
      Cheers,
      Will

  96. Lana McHugh

    Hi Will, thanks for this very thorough information! I stumbled onto your site looking for information about different types of varnishes and hit the jackpot. My question is about sanding. I read an article many years ago by an artist who lightly sanded with very fine grit sand paper (1000 grit or more) between coats of varnish. Is this an acceptable practice? It seems a logical way to even out all small imperfections, but I have not seen any mention of sanding in any other articles or videos about varnish techniques so wondered if it was an acceptable method. Thanks, Lana

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Lana, glad you’ve been enjoying the site. Sanding varnish between layers is often used on woodwork but not as commonplace on painting due to the potential difference in surface texture next to the painted surface. A 1000 grit is a super fine paper so would only be very gentle. The concern with sanding varnish is creating a matte effect when the sandpaper disturbs the surface. You could try a test piece to see if you’re happy with the aesthetic vs smooth surface.
      Cheers,
      Will

  97. Deborah

    I have just finished an acrylic painting and applied two thin layers of a gel isolation coat. I then applied two thin coats of a gloss varnish but now realize that the shine has in essence become part of the image which is detracting from the painting. I’m Wondering if I can apply a satin varnish or gel isolation coat to bring down the shine over top, and what that will do to the colour saturation?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Deborah, yes, you can apply a satin varnish straight on top of the gloss varnish. Gloss will give the most saturated colour but a satin finish will still look nice and vibrant.

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Deborah

        Thank you for your speedy reply and also for your very informative article on varnishing. I have applied a satin over top and am very pleased with the results.

        1. Will Kemp

          Fantastic to hear Deborah, glad you’re pleased with the satin finish.
          Will

  98. Pauline

    Hi Will, I love your site and find I often come back to it for tips.
    Can you please, please tell me why they make permanent varnish? I have searched the Internet for days it seems trying to find an answer as to why an artist would use permanent. Also, the place where I buy my paints from only sells permanent varnish, ‘Liquitex’ Professional, gloss medium and varnish. I have yet to ask them why they only stock permanent.
    I was going to buy some, then decided I should find out if permanent is the way to go. I understand the differences, I just don’t understand why they make and sell permanent varnish.
    thank you :)

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Pauline, it’s a good question, as the nature of varnish is to be a removal layer that can be reapplied having a permanent version seems counterproductive to the cause. I suppose it came about from having a quick way of applying one layer to protect the surface. As the gloss medium can be used as an isolation coat for removable varnishes the labelling is a little confusing.
      Will

  99. Jennifer

    Hi, I know this is an older article but crossing my fingers you’ll see the comment. I create mixed media works on paper with acrylic inks, copic markers, and pens and I’m very hesitant to varnish my pieces. I want to protect them from fading over time, but have read that varnish will absorb into the paper and can’t be removed over time. Should I simply protect my pieces under UV glass or do an isolation layer?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Jennifer, I’d be tempted to test a small piece first as I’m not sure how the Copic markers would fair. Spraying a varnish would be the least disruptive to the surface, but it would still absorb into the paper surface.
      Will

  100. Michael Malis

    Hi Will,

    Very informative, thank you!
    i have 1 question about application of Liquitex gloss varnish on Soft Gel isolation coat.
    Can I use it straight or mix 3:1 with water? If not, what is the best ratio that you would recommend?

    Thank you,
    Michael

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Michael, on the Liquitex site they don’t recommend diluting the gloss varnish at all, so just use it straight.

      Here are their other notes:

      Don’t apply with a roller or sponge brush
      Don’t thin with water
      Don’t apply in one thick coat, but several thin coats, to avoid brush marks, drips and cloudiness
      Don’t go back over areas you have already done, as this can cause clouding
      Don’t attempt to remove once applied
      Do not use with any non-acrylic media

      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

  101. Ambalika

    Hi Will, hats off to you for your patience to answer all these questions. My question is that the Giclee print of my photograph on archival paper didn’t turn out as expected. I’m looking at converting it into mixed media. Can I use white color pencil on it? What type of pencils or maybe charcoal pencil will work and result in archival quality?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Ambalika, depending on the paper used, white coloured pencil won’t show very well on a giclee, but you can use pastels, here’s a video on embellishing giclee with pastel you might find of interest.
      Cheers,
      Will

  102. Roxanne Pistel

    Great article I’m new to painting and just finished a reverse painting on glass to use as a backsplash I used oils and I think I should seal the back so the paint won’t stick to the wall. What would you suggest to use as a sealant

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Roxanne, I haven’t personally ever sealed a reverse painting, but I would be tempted to add a sheet of perspex on the back to sandwich the painting in-between so you have a flat surface you can then attach to the wall.
      Will

  103. Matt Marquis

    Hi Will,
    I was wondering if you have any knowledge if it is ok to roll an oil painting for shipping that has a layer of Gamblin Satin varnish on it?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Matt, yes, a loose roll should be fine.
      Will

  104. Susan

    Thanks Will, very informative.
    If you are going to use an old acrylic painting that has been varnished with an acrylic varnish (an isolation coat first) – just as an interesting base for a new acrylic painting, do you need to remove the varnish? If it’s just acrylic based – why? Trying to re-use old unsuccessful canvases.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Susan, you could try working on top but the surface would be very slippy as you would have lost the tooth of the canvas to work onto.
      Will

  105. Ron

    I’m reading a Dick Francis murder mystery, and came across this phrase.

    ‘It’s still wet,’ I warned. ‘And not framed, and I can’t varnish it for at least six months.’

    Why, I wondered, would he want to varnish his painting?

    Then I found your page, where you explained clearly, and in terms that a non painter could understand, why you would varnish your painting.

    Thank you.

  106. Gina

    Hi Will! I really appreciate your site and all the information! I am a new painter and I paint using acrylics on canvas. I know I should but a varnish on my completed paintings, but some of them, a lot of them have different sheens within the painting…by design. How should I go about varnishing my art and keep the intended look of the different sheens? Also my latest painting is very large, 48 x 60. Am I better to use a spray varnish, or attempt to use a brush? Thank you again so much for your site!!!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Gina, pleased you’ve been finding the site helpful

      How should I go about varnishing my art and keep the intended look of the different sheens?

      Depending on the style and composition you can apply either matte, satin or gloss varnish to different areas of the canvas. You can also ‘mix your own’ sheen by combing gloss and matte varnishes.
      With that scale of canvas, I would definitely practise a few smaller pieces first with a brush and a spray to see which aesthetic you prefer.

      Cheers,
      Will

  107. Sharon

    I’ve recently been using a acrylic spray paint in my work, that once dry neither water nor solvent will alter. The work is done and sold, but I need to varnish it. I’ve used liquitex satin in the past with success but I don’t want to mess this up. Would you suggest a spray varnish first, wait 24 hours and then a painted varnish over that?
    Is it better to use gloss first and satin over that? Thanks for any help. Shar

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Shar, with acrylics, I tend to apply an isolation coat first (which is glossy) then I can judge how that level of sheen looks on the painting, then choose either gloss, satin, or matte varnish depending on the aesthetic finish I’m after. The gloss layer will be the clearest and give the most saturation to the colour.

      Cheers,
      Will

  108. Susan

    Hi Will,
    So very appreciative of your time in answering everyone’s questions! Just completed my first acrylic painting and wanted to know whether I stretch it before or after I varnish? Thank you!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Susan, I would usually work on a stretcher for the before varnishing.
      Cheers,
      Will

  109. Toby

    Hello Will,
    Love your site! I have a varnish-related query. My finished acrylic painting has different levels of sheen due partly to the use of a gel medium which I used to give more gloss to certain areas of the painting over others. I would like to retain these differences in sheen whilst still protecting my painting from uv etc. How would you advise coating it?
    Thanks,
    Toby

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Toby, yes, you can match the different sheens by matching diferent varnishes (matte, saton or gloss) to the different areas of the painting. I’d try a few tests first to try and match the correct sheen to the look you’re after. You can also intermix the varnishes to tweak the sheen.
      Cheers,
      Will

  110. Toby

    Hi Will,
    Great, thank you for your advice!
    Toby

  111. Daylin

    Hi Will,
    This is a bit of a sealing+varnishing question. I am working with gold leaf (imitation) and acrylics. 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? I’ve read that Golden MSA varnish is the way to go to prevent tarnishing, but can it be painted over with acrylics? I always turn to your sage advice in all things paint-related! Thank you!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Daylin, nice to hear from you. Mmm, its a bit of a tricky one with gold leaf to still retain the lustre and enable you to paint ontop. You can get specific gold leaf varnishes which are usually shellac based, but I haven’t personally tested what the adhesion of the acrylics to the shellac on top is like.
      Will

  112. todd crespi

    Hi, Will ~
    I’m still following your work after years of inspiration.
    Currently, I painted an 8 ft. campaign sign, acrylic on a wooden sliding door.
    It’s to lean against a tree on the lawn, then brought indoors at night or tricky weather.
    How do you recommend applying an isolation coat evenly to something that size? Cheers! TODD

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Todd, mmm 8ft, that is a tricky one in one go, the smoothest finish from a varnish would be a spray varnish in multiple thin layers. For an isolation coat, it would be a case of painting smaller sections of the painting where is is easier to hide a join/transition. Of course, this depends on the subject matter of the painting if that’s possible.
      Will

  113. Ang

    If my painting is going to be hung in a darker space (a bar) with a single spotlight from top. Do you recommend Gloss or Satin varnish?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Ang, with a spotlight you will get a lot of reflections from a gloss varnish, so a satin may be preferable.
      Will

      1. Ang

        Hi Will,
        Thanks for your reply! but what is a stain?

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Ang, so sorry, it was autocorrected! I meant to say satin.
          Will

  114. Asha

    Hi Will, I have enjoyed following your work and am grateful for the generous advice you have given over the years. I have a 24″x36″ acrylic family portrait painting which I need to ship rolled. Is it okay to use a spray varnish which has not been used at all in more than a year to varnish this painting? It is a Krylon UV Archival Varnish(Satin). How long after I spray varnish would I have to wait before rolling the painting to ship safely? Thank you!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Asha, pleased you’ve found the site helpful, I haven’t personally used the Krylon so wouldn’t want to say for sure, but it usually is 24hrs. You can lay a sheet of glassine paper on the surface before rolling to help prevent the varnish surface sticking to itself. You might find this article on rolling a painting helpful.

      Will

  115. Asha

    Thank you for your kind advise!

    Asha

  116. Tom

    Hi Will,
    As I told you before, I love all of your information so freely given. There is a varnishing issue that I have not seen addressed anyplace. I’ve 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. Any thoughts on correcting this? I’m thinking maybe I need to learn to exaggerate the highlights, expecting that they will change with the varnish. Thank you.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Tom, in what way do the highlights disappear? is it a contrast between the gloss of the glazing and the existing painting?
      Will

  117. ed fox

    Hi Will,

    Just found your site again, after working on an acrylic painting that I am getting ready to glaze some oils over. I went back to an old box of art supplies from art school and found some Soluvar Matte Varnishes (Permanent Pigments) that still seem to be in good shape after years of being stored… (never in cold environment… always room temp and DRY. Don’t know if I should take a chance on them still being good. I plan on doing some “test runs’ but before I go to the trouble, they are probably 35-40 years old, I just wondered if these have a “shelf life” that I should be aware of. Love your site, just got engrossed in it for a couple of hours.

    I’ve been doing graphics for years and I had an old painting that I never finished, and knew I never would, so I gessoed over it and I am nearing completion of a sunset that is renewing my painting days. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I hope you have some insight.

    Cheers,
    ed

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Ed, pleased you’ve been enjoying the site. In terms of the Varnish, if its been dry and airtight it should still be ok, you can double check with Liquitex technical team but if the test samples are drying clear it would still be fine.
      Cheers,
      Will

  118. Anna

    Hi Will,
    Love your site! I use it as a teaching resource for my High School Visual Arts classes when they are working on a painting unit. You explain things so well, and the results I have had out of my 15 and 16 yr olds are impressive. One quick question. I have an acrylic landscape painting, and I rather like the matt look. I have the Golden Isolation Coat, and I want to use a matt or maybe semi-gloss varnish. Just wondering which varnish you would recommend. I want to keep the contrast without the shine if possible. I have no preferences as to whether it is solvent or water-based or for any particular brand.
    Thanks in advance
    Anna

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Anna, so pleased you’ve been finding the lessons helpful for your students. You can apply the gloss isolation coat and then apply a matte or satin varnish. I tend to use the Gamvar range of varnishes from Gamblin as they can be used on both my acrylics and oil paintings.

      Hope this helps,
      Will

  119. Anna

    Thanks, Will, much appreciated! Anna

  120. Terry

    I just completed an oil painting of a tranquil lake bordered by forest, and the trees are reflected in the lake. Crazy question . . . would it look odd to varnish only the water, in order to accentuate the reflections – giving the water a shimmery appearance.
    Terry

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Terry, I’d try a small version first to see if you like the aesthetic, but you could apply different sheens to different areas.
      Will

  121. Bluejay

    Wow, this article is still going strong! I too have a question. I’ve been using acrylic markers on top of traditional acrylic paint. The markets are just acrylic paint with water. What I discovered is that they are very delicate. A couple brush strokes with the gloss medium and the marker lines were disturbed and became blurry. I guess they lack the binding quality of the traditional paint? Any suggestions for me in future?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Bluejay, what brand of marker were you using?

  122. Karen Manchip

    Before I ruin my first 10 ft by 4 ft acrylic portrait mural of 2 endoscopists could you advise on my varnish coat. I have isolated with 3 thin coats of golden gloss medium which is fab now the varnish. 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 ) I’m 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 it’s my ‘go to’ site

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Karen, I’d 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. A satin finish gives a happy medium of lustre and richness, but again I’d 100% test first before committing to the large scale of the piece.
      Will

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