How to Varnish Your Art
Let’s talk about varnishing your paintings.
Varnishing is so important because it protects the artwork from fading in light. I strongly recommend that you varnish your artwork. I have had artwork fade (that was not varnished) in the past because it was hung on a wall facing a window. The direct sunlight on your work will absolutely take its toll. I have seen this first-hand. Always varnish your work so you will have extra protection from fading which will give you peace of mind.
Types of Varnishes
There are three different kinds of varnish finishes: gloss, matte and satin. I always recommend that artists do their own test on all of three of these before they apply one to their finished artworks. I find that I enjoy the middle of the road option the most with the satin finish. The satin finish is in between the matte and gloss finish. The matte finish has no “reflection” of light while the gloss has a lot of light reflection. I find that the gloss varnish can distract the viewer from the original painting with the light reflection and the matte finish can dull a painting’s vibrant colors. Therefore, I always recommend a satin finish as a great compromise!
Getting Specific
I use Liquitex Satin Varnish and it does not dull down the colors of the painting. Also, the light reflection from the varnish is very minimal. This is a liquid varnish that you apply with a paint brush or sponge brush. The size of your brush should be appropriate for the size of the art you are varnishing. Use a bigger brush for bigger artwork. When you first apply the varnish to your artwork artwork, you will need to move very quickly because it does dry quickly. Two thin coats are recommended for optimal protection.
What to Watch Out For
Watch out for varnishes that have toxic odors. The reason I love Liquitex varnish is because it is odorless and non-toxic. It is a water-based varnish used for acrylic/mixed media paintings. It is not to be used for oil paintings. Another thing to look out for is water-soluble materials you may have used in your art. You will have to seal up any artwork containing water-soluble marks with a fixative before you put on your varnish. If you don’t, you will have a messy watercolor staining/smearing situation on your hands when you apply the varnish. I suggest grabbing a practice paper with water-soluble marks to test the fixative out first and then test applying the liquid varnish on top. Make sure you let the fixative dry completely before you apply the liquid varnish. Also, make sure you apply enough of the fixative and that it covers all of your painting before applying the liquid varnish in order to prevent smearing. Once you are satisfied with the test and feel comfortable that it is working and not smearing, then move forward to apply both the fixative and then the liquid varnish to your finished art.
