Are You Afraid of Varnishing?
Disclosure: Katie Koenig uses affiliate programs, which means for some product purchases, I may earn a small commission.
Varnishing a painting that you poured your time, energy, and heart into can be scary! I have used a couple of different varnishes for my artwork over the years. Lately, I am using Gamblin Gamvar Gloss Varnish. Here’s what I like about it:
It was originally created by conservators at the National Gallery. It is nice to know I am using a product that was created with conservation in mind. It is also odorless, making it safe for me to use.
It can be used on oil and acrylic paintings. Occasionally, I will complete a painting using both acrylics and oils. I like knowing that I am using a varnish that works for both mediums.
Gamvar varnish can be removed with another Gamblin product called Gamsol. Varnish yellows over time and is actually meant to be removed and reapplied as it ages. Should my work become super famous long after I am dead, I like to think that a conservator would be singing my praises to the Beyond for using a varnish that they could easily remove to restore my artwork. :)
I am also a somewhat overly-critical and indecisive person when it comes to my art. I have a couple of old paintings that I keep thinking about altering, as an experiment or opportunity to grow as an artist. Gamvar Varnish is easy to remove, so I know I can revisit an older painting should I have the desire to do so.
Regardless of what product you are using, here are a few tips for applying varnish successfully:
Always remove dust from your painting surface prior to varnishing. I do this with a lint free cloth, like a T-shirt, or even a paper towel.
Read the directions on the label of your varnish. Even visit the manufacturer’s website if possible and read product information there. It is incredibly helpful to read FAQ’s on a manufacturer’s website if you can because they often address common issues, so you can prepare yourself for any possible complications and gain a greater understanding of the product in the process.
Most varnishes should be applied with a brush made of synthetic fibers. Use a new, clean brush that is your designated varnish brush. The last thing you want is to leave behind dried paint flakes from a brush you thought was clean enough to use for varnishing.
Before the varnish dries, inspect the surface for fibers and hairs. Always varnish in a well-lit area. Immediately after application, look closely at the surface of the painting and remove any fibers that you find. It is so frustrating to find an annoying little fuzz or hair on your painting AFTER your varnish has dried.
Bonus tip for acrylic painters: Apply an isolation coat prior to applying your varnish. Varnish is not meant to last forever. The isolation coat protects your painting and acts as a barrier between the paint and the varnish, so when your varnish inevitably needs to be removed, your masterpiece will be protected. You can find the product I use, Golden Isolation Coat Here.
Before attempting to varnish a painting you are really proud of, experiment on artworks you will be ok with inadvertently ruining. You can even varnish small paintings of solid colors just to get the hang on things. Using varnishes that you are unfamiliar with without the stress of a possible heartbreaking disaster will make you more confident when you’re ready to varnish your best work.