Varnishing Acrylic Paintings - a tutorial explaining WHY and HOW
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ก.ค. 2024
- Varnishing acrylic paintings is a simple process, but it requires understanding of varnish types, their application, and how they preserve your artwork. This tutorial explains the basics. Please be aware that every artist may have their own unique method of applying varnish - here is a glimpse into mine.
-Anastasia Mak
📬 Grab my free GUIDE of acrylic painting supplies + a video LESSON here: amakart.myflodesk.com/
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Thank you so much for watching! A ton of comments below, so I can't individually reply to each one, but there will be a follow-up video to answer the most frequent questions 🖌 >> also, if you are just starting out, grab my free guide of acrylic painting supplies and colors + a video lesson here: amakart.myflodesk.com/supplies-list
I've probably watched 30-40 TH-cam videos on this subject, and to me - this has to be the best of the lot! Thank you so much. :)
Thanks so much for the feedback! Glad you found it useful!
@AnastasiaMakArt
My original drawing is framed behind glass. I had it made into full color and printed on canvas.
So can you recommend a great clear gloss spray varnish to protect it?
This was very helpful. I've hesitated in varnishing my painting because I wasn't sure how to proceed. Your thorough instructions and explanations made the process less confusing. Thank you!
I've been reading varnishing videos till I'm dizzy with all the different techniques. Your video is the one I'll bookmark and use in a couple of days when I start to varnish my first acrylic (after practicing on another test canvas). I love your 'teacherly' style, clear and modulated. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your comment! Best of luck with future vanishing and art projects!
WOW, you're a talented artist and a talented teacher--AND you're doing it in a 2nd language! WHAT KIND OF GENIUS ARE YOU?! In your wonderfully nuanced presentation here you covered virtually every imaginable facet of vanishing a painting. The only thing I was left curious about... was the difference between: matt, satin, gloss, and high gloss. But I assume you left that out of your presentation because the difference wouldn't really be discernible in a video.
Your intellectual presentation has caused me to look into your on-line classes you mentioned at the end as soon as I finish writing this. I'm an older man now and painting is my truest drram of my life but i was never able to get to it. I fervently hope I'll be able to begin utilizing my natural gift as an artist this fall and winter. I am going to be looking at your on-line classes. I feel so happy Im going to cry. Thank you.
I was only looking to varnish an acrylic painting I bought at a thrift store. But my need to paint has been boiling up higher and higher in me. I think you can help me begin!
Great Tips I am new to to selling my peace's. I painted a cartoony picture of my cats that led to commissions of other peoples pets that I know. Excited about this but wanted to make sure that work I make for them will last. Your explanations were very detailed and easy to understand. I also have chronic Illnesses and rhespitory issues. so I am glad you included tips for that. So glad I clicked on your video. Your painting are gorgeous as well.
Not gonna lie I can listen to you all day. The way you explain subjects in a calm & composed manner, makes me just wana listen more & learn more uk. I am so glad I found you. Keep grinding keeping teaching🙌 Am the 75th subscriber here, Am sure your channel will reach to the heights it actually deserves Ana Sensei😇
Thank you so much for your comment AND for subscribing! 👍
Thanks for great explanation and demonstration. Your paintings are amazing!
😊Great explanation. Love the way you organize the instruction.
This is a wonderfully comprehensive lesson that removes any confusion or doubt about the proper varnish and application process for the proper painting. You are an excellent speaker with flawless delivery who draws in the listener with direct eye contact and perfect annunciation. Your voice and the lesson are clear, concise, and impressionably received. I could listen to you speak for hours! Many thanks for this very helpful video lesson!
This the most completely informative video I have seen on varnishing paintings! You gave us each option from the very beginning, explaining in detail what that option meant, how it would be used, and what the expected result would be. You didn't assume that the listener automatically knew anything, but clearly gave every detail step by step. If you aren't a teacher of your trade, I truly think you ought to be! You are doubly talented. Thank you so much for making this video. It was a great help. Great Job! :-D
Thanks so much for your comment, Toni! I made this clip because I thought other varnishing instruction videos out there seemed a little incomplete, but it took forever to plan and edit (ha) so I'm glad you have found it helpful!
Thank you for your very informative video. You are amazing and a very articulate speaker. I will keep watching your videos.
This tutorial is very practical and SUPERB! Thank you very much.
Great teacher and so beautifully spoken. Thank you 🙏
You explain very well, and you radiate confidence that you know what you are talking about. Good video, very helpful.
Thank you! This is the best video about varnishing...
Thank you so much for this video! Everything was clear and thorough, and varnishing doesn't seem so stressful anymore. :)
Thank you so much for this video, such a great help! Now I feel a lot more confident on how to start varnishing my paintings, been putting it off for so long since I didn't really get the hang of it!
Thanks for your comment, glad you found it helpful!
Amazing teaching! Great job!
I don’t usually watch long educational videos but yours was very informative and well presented. Thank you!
I love that frame! Beautiful painting. I am beginning to think anout aelling some of my art, and did a couple paintings this weekend that I want to preserve. This was extremely helpful.
Thank you, best of luck with the art sales!
Thank you so much. You’re so informative.
Brilliant!! Explained so well
Exactly the video I needed. Thanks for taking the time to explain all the details.
Thanks Ryan! Glad you found it helpful!
This tutorial on Varnishes & how to apply came just in time. It is clear, thorough & added to mu knowledge. I feel confident to go ahead & varnish.
Very glad you found it helpful, thanks!
Thank you for sharing this knowledge, appreciated.
The way you explained was excellent. Thank you so...much
Thanks, best ever video I've seen untill now on varnishing. Love you. 😘
Bravo Anastasia, you are the very BEST.! 👍 🌹❤️🍀🇩🇪
I have watched many videos regarding this topic and this is thus far my favorite. Really enjoyed it. Informative. I, too, bookmarked it. Many thanks (I like your paintings, as well!)
Hi there thank you so much for sharing your experience. It really helped me to answer all the question I had I have seen some people use rosin which is very hard I guess it’s more adorable so I appreciate it. Thank you.
Thank you so much for making this video. SUPER informative!
Glad you found it useful, thanks!
I agree with you Chaplin, I am glad to know that we can mix varnish brands too . Thank you for sharing your good tips
Thanks so much, Lilette!
Wonderful tips thank you for doing this video.
Thank you for the great advice.
Great job!
I've been researching this subject a lot and was unable to come to a conclusion of what to do and why. You saved me! I have my own paintings to finish and a very beautiful professional painting that was unfinished and is fading in the sun. Now I know how to proceed with total certainty. Thank you so much. Your knowledge and teaching skill is very valuable. Thank you for sharing.
That's great to hear!! Thank you for your comment! Enjoy all the varnishing :)
I'd like to say a big thanks for an easy to follow and well-explained video tutorial.! Very well done.
Thank you so much! I'm glad you found it helpful!
Thanks for the useful information.
Thank you for sharing your ideas, It is really helpful to me. I will do apply vernish on my painting.
Happy to see that it helped you!
Thank you. This was really helpful.
You are just wonderful! Thank you for this expert tutorial. New SUB here, I can't wait to see more of your videos and art lessons!
Thanks so much for the kind words, AVA!
Thank you so much for the Great video and tips!! Very helpful for me. Love your painting too! ❤ Jalyne in Utah USA
Thank you so much for this information. I love the way you explain clearly step by step how to varnish pieces. I learned something new with you about the removable varnish. You could be teacher. 😁 Happy to find your channel! I had some doubt about varnishing and now I understood better. Thanks. God bless!
Thank you for your comment, and I'm glad you found this info helpful!
Thank you so much for this information. Your explanation is excellent.
Thank you! I'm happy it was helpful to you!!!
Thank you so much this is so helpful 🎉
Thanks for this, very helpful, and also refreshing to see you aren't too strict with the way you apply the varnish. There seems to be this rule that you must go left to right and not cross over the same stroke twice until it dries. Doesn't seem to matter as long as the varnish is wet enough... you seem to just go for it while it's wet.
Thanks for watching! There are no rules with application when varnish is still wet. The goal is to fully cover the painting. :) Moving brush in different directions actually helps it spread better.
Thanks, very informative and specific instructions...!
I've experienced with water based acrylic varnish that in a warm or humid climate, it retains some small level of tackiness, and as a result over time dust landing on it can merge with / stick to the varnish.
I've used Daler-Rowney light drying oil for oil paintings on my acrylic paintings recently, and it looks really good. I tried it because the bottle looks fancy (to be totally honest), and because it's oil based but assumedly dries faster, which I guess it does, "fast" being about a week.
Best tutorial for beginners like me. Thanks a lot. Lovely to the ears as well. And a question related to poster paints. What's the best way to preserve. Wud love to know it
Anastasia, so nice to meet you "in person". WOW! that is super helpful information, thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. I dont have a talent to draw or paint (thats why I purchase your paintings) but my grown kids do. They dont take that step to finish their work, but I might just do it for them to the pieces they have given me. I of course as their proud parent want them to last forever! I just recently received your 4 x 4's of Cardinal and Aspen Forest. OH, remember me as your music parody pal? "hello from the INSIDE" hahaha Take good care. PS, I just subscribed.
Ha! Thanks for the comment! I'm giggling about "music parody pal" Glad you found the video informative. Varnishing options take some time to explain, but in application it's a simple process :) Take care! Thank you for subscribing!
Thank you for making this video series - I've been selling art for years and really haven't experimented much with my acrylics! Liquitex should sponsor you.
Thanks so much, Jenny! Good luck with your acrylic painting! I'm waiting for Liquitex to call me, hehehe! 😄
Shay c
Thank you for explaining about paint varnishing. xxx
Thank you for watching!
great video . thanks
Great info 👍
thanks for this video. i used to contemplating between the two kinds of varnish. now i know what to do. ^_^
For me an excellent tutorial thanks
wonderful to hear, thank you!
Thank you, My mom painted a beautiful mtn scene on an electric guitar using acrylic paint. It should be fought over for many generations.
Love you already! Thank you so much!😇
what a compliment :) Thanks!!!
This is so good to know. I was not taught this in university when taking my art classes 50 years ago. :(
Does the varnish not make Posca run ? I had a piece well dried , and it ran the Posca work I had over my acrylic paint work . Thank you . 😎
Thanks for this very good vídeo
Best video on the subject. You're incredibly cute too :) And I love that artwork in the background. Best wishes.
Glad you enjoyed :)
Thank you so much 💓
I will have to check out this brand. Currently, I am using Liquitex Soluvar Matte Varnish....on an acrylicpainting on gesso board. It has not been forgiving at all, and I am on about my 10th attempt. I have had so many frustrating problems with it, and i am still not satisfied...So stressful! I have learned that it can be diluted with Gamsol. I wish I had made it about as thin a consistency as what you show here! It's supposed to be self leveling, but I still seem to have pooling....they say to let dry flat. Hoping I can get what I want before I have to deliver it to the art museum!
Thank you!
Very informative, thanks for taking time to explain in detail. May I ask if the same procedure can be used for textured art using acrylic paint?
Very good, thanks.
thanks for watching!
Excellent ! thank you.! Learned a lot. Did not know we could switch . Polymer and then oil based spray..
I do have bog paintings.
Application: you don’t seem concerned about the directions of the brush or going over on one application ?
Thank you so much for this video. I watched it just now and it is very helpful to me. Showing how you simply pour a little varnish on the painting and then brush it on the painting was very helpful to me because I was worrying a lot about the technique: do I pour the varnish into a container first, dip a brush into that container, and then apply the brush to the painting or...? You answered that for me. I think I'm going to purchase the Golden brand varnish shown in this video because you mention having sensitive to oil based varnish, and I'm concerned about that too. The only thing missing from this tutorial is that you do not show how to clean up the brush. I assume hot water and soap will work and I can do it directly in a sink. I also have the option of simply throwing out the brush, thereby avoiding the cleanup. I have a test "painting" on which I've already applied the Golden brand of isolation coat. That has taught me a great deal already. Thank you for your video!
Glad you found the video helpful, Robert! As for washing out brushes, I'm very pro- reusing your tools as many times as possible - I'm all about reducing waste. My varnish brushes last a long time, actually. I first wash them with soap and water and then I found that letting them sit in water for a few extra hours after washing prevents them from getting "crusty". I only fill the water cup enough do dip the bristles in. Over time though, metal still gets rusty (as you can see in this video) - but it doesn't affect the brush much. The brush in this video has gotten MANY, MANY hours of use :)
Thank you so much
Very helpful 👍
Glad it helped, thanks for watching!
My english is not good
But you speak very clearly and explain very well, Slow and Bold. Thank you for the videos, I am just a beginner to acrylic paintings though
I can't wait to get my vanish spray for my finished painting...I am not sure if high gloss is the right one.
Very well done 👏would like to know how you don't get brush marks? I seem to always get brush mark..any tips you can give would be greatly appreciated
Thank you interresting info. But I have stil a problem with large paintings. What to do?
❤️
Thank you very much for the lesson, I am a woodworker, waiting to start Acrylic painting, and maybe later on Oil, (Kind of messy) , my point is I use water base Polyurethane, same reason as oil polys became amber with time, and water based remain crystal clear, my point, is My wife is very good at crafts, he use folk art paint and sometimes, Liquitex Basics for her crarts, on wood, plywood and MDF, and when it dries she use Water base Polyurethane, she likes Satin, but Glossy is available, I do not se a difference on crafts and Acrylic Landscape paintings, even oil , when they are dry , what is you opinion ? please advice
Thank you for an informative video! Do you recommend using the Krylon Uv spray varnish after your isolation coat? Or is Krylon Kamar Varnish okay? I bought several cans of the Kamar Varnish but wonder if I should have got the Uv one instead?
Hi Anastasia! Thank you for such a helpful video!! If I want to varnish some dry media pieces (like soft pastel), can I apply a fixative spray and then use your same technique to varnish? I think it would be cool to varnish them instead of framing behind glass.
Thanks for enjoying the video. As acrylic painter, I don't have experience with pastels. You likely can't varnish a pastel painting, but may wanna check with pastel artists on this one.
Thank you! Very informative.
(I like 👍 the flowers painting 💐! Nice combination of colors).
Question: how do you prep primes cotton canvas that you buy from an art store when you paint with acrylics?
Some videos say spray back with water, then apply gesso in front...
Another said to apply Airbrush medium or gloss medium before painting with acrylic colors...
Your advice?
I usually add an extra coat of gesso, but if your canvas is already stretched and gessoed, it's just an option, it can be painted on directly too. You can watch my video on tightening stretched canvas which explains why spraying it with water does nothing (at least in my experience :) )
@@AnastasiaMakArt thank you for the data, much appreciated
How would you suggest to varnish acrylic paintings where texture has been applied? Like when you use mediums that cause different level of surfaces?
Hi, nice video. One question: doesn't re-stretching a canvas become difficult once the canvas has been hardened by the varnish coats ?
👏👏👏👏👏👏
Would you recommend spray varnish for paintings made with the dutch pour technique? TY
Thank you for such a great video. You saved me from using the wrong varnish today.
I am making masks that I cast in resin. The problem is the acrylic paint easily scrapes off even after treating the piece with automotive adhesion promoter (which breaks down the plastic enough to have paint adhere). Then I use primer on top of the adhesion layer. Do you think the polymer varnish will seal rock hard enough so that the paint won't be easily scraped? I am doing experiments now, but if you have any thoughts to share, would love to hear them.
I'm not sure about this one, sounds like acrylic is having a hard time adhering to a 3d resin object, which is outside of my specialty. Good luck with experimentation and I hope you find a solution!
This was very helpful...thank you! I am wondering what the difference is between the Liquitex Gloss Medium and Varnish and the regular Gloss Varnish by Liquitex which you used? I have used the first one to seal my paintings, but maybe that wasn't correct. Thank you for responding.
Glad you found it helpful! Liquitex Gloss Medium is designed to be mixed with paint while you are creating your piece, or it can also function as "glue" in collage and other types of mixed media. When mixed in with paint, Gloss Medium makes acrylic paint shinier and changes its viscosity. Gloss Varnish is designed to protect a finished painting, so it should only be used on top of a dried, completed painting. If you already have Gloss Medium you are probably ok using it to seal your painting, just mix it with some distilled water (I think the formula between the two is similar, Medium is just thicker).
Thank you for doing this video. Even when seeking out the uses of & differences between these products online, my understanding of products remained incomplete. Thanks for clearing up all my questions. Very thorough.
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Great and thorough video. Do you know of any sprays that I can apply before the isolation layer? Some of the acrylics that I use are extremely diluted. They would most likely be disturbed by the isolation brush application. I need a quality archival product. I did find one made by Liquitex but they will not ship to Canada. :(
International shipping of aerosol sprays is a pain! Many suppliers simply won't do it :( Aside from Liquitex, you can look into Krylon brand - but it may present the same issue. Here's an easier suggestion: use liquid varnish, but don't brush it on - instead, apply your first coat with high density foam roller. That's what I do when I have "sensitive" materials on my art that could be smeared by brushing. Test it first course, to see if this application works for you.
@@AnastasiaMakArt Good idea. I will test that and see how it works. Thanks!
I love your video on varnishing acrylic paintings! It's super helpful. Thank you! I am using the Liquitex Gloss Varnish and wanted to know about cleaning the brush after use. Should I just use soap and water and let it dry before the next use? I thought I saw that some recommend cleaning the brush used for varnishing, with paint thinner. Can you clarify? Thank you very much!
Glad you found the video helpful! I wash my varnish brushes thoroughly with soap & water, but I discovered that they still harden and become too rough when left out to dry. So, after washing, I leave them in a cup of water for a couple of hours. Then, rinse again and let them dry out. That seems to do the trick. I only fill the cup enough to soak the bristles, not the metal part. Of course, rust gets to the metal anyway - that's why my brush in the video is rusty. :) BUT - my brushes last a very long time!!!
@@AnastasiaMakArt Thank you for this information. I appreciate these good details!
nice video
I love the way you teach! I really enjoyed your video
I have a question: Will the vanishing eventually yellow the acrylic paint? If Yes, is there an approximate time frame of when it can yellow? If not, which Vanish in your experience is less likely to turn yellow?
Thank you for sharing this information! I appreciate your time and expertise!
It's a non-yellowing varnish. All varnish eventually gets weathered, from air pollutants, etc (but it takes decades) - and that's why removable varnish is an option. :)
@@AnastasiaMakArt thank you so much for responding.
Just watched your video.. and you dont need to give up oil painting. You need to invest in an all natural solvent with no toxicity. The new age has brought magnificent products . There are many out there now.... but my favorite is called Eco-solve by Natural earth paints. Cheers ! I was so sad to give up oils for a couple years too. Problem solved.
Thank you, Sam! I actually started to dabble in oils again this year. After experimenting with more solvents I found that walnut oil is a nice option for me. But my other issue is that I'm sensitive to the smell of oil paint itself (I know it's not harmful, yet the smell still gets to me) - so I can only use oils from time to time (or, outdoors). I have not heard of Eco-solve - will definitely give it a try, so I appreciate the suggestion!
Is it ok to varnish over gold foil flakes I added on my acrylic painting?
When you put matte over glossy, does it make the colors less vibrant? Or does the first glossy coat ensure that this doesn't happen?
Hi how do wash your brush after applying varnish?
I've been trying to find spray varnish für my acrylic paintings on canvas but the varnishes I find are for wood or paper, are those okay or where do I find a spray varnish for canvas art?
Thank you for sharing your varnishing ideas but my problem is have just painted a Heart and would like it to look as thought it stands away from the Canvas do I just keep varnishing it over and over again until it looks that way or is there any other way to do this Thank you.
Varnish seals your painting, but it won't make objects appear as if they're standing away from canvas. Aside from deepening colors, it doesn't change the essence of your painting. If you want to give distinct physical texture to your painting, try mixing a medium - like molding paste - with your paint next time you create a piece.
Nice video, very thorough! But a true isolation coat needs to be pure acrylic polymer (something like diluted Golden Soft Gel). Then the varnish of choice sits on top of that. When a conservator cleans the painting, they just clean of the varnish down to the polymer layer.
Thanks so much for your comment, Matt! What ingredient makes polymer non-removable acrylic varnish less suitable to be an isolation coat? Soft Gel has same properties as acrylic paint, so it certainly offers a coat of protection, but it's also just as penetrable / porous as paint.
@@AnastasiaMakArt Hi Anastasia!
The isolation coat cannot be any type of varnish, as the idea of varnish is to be removed if required.
The whole thing is like a sandwich. You have the acrylic paint layer first, then next the isolation coat of acrylic polymer which as you know is, in effect, transparent acrylic paint, (this is resistant to ammonia and all the chemical stuff that conservators use to remove varnish). Then the varnish layers sit on top and these are removable if this needs doing in 100 years time or so.
I'm only nit-picking though, your videos are really great and I love your presenting style!
Matty
@@mattylamb658 so ammonia-resistant archival polymer - yep, I'm on the same page with you on that one! Funny thing is that acrylic paint is so young, I don't think that much varnish removal is being done on it currently. It will be interesting to see how it actually behaves with conservators many decades from now, although I may not be alive for it :) Thank you again for your comments!
@@AnastasiaMakArt My pleasure. Nice to have an art chat - at lot of people don't understand these topics at all!
Unless I didn’t catch it, I don’t think you mentioned needing an isolation coat before any Varnishing takes place. Excellent video.
You 100% missed it. She made that pretty clear.
Hi again, Анастасия. Two other questions:
1. Can you use binder as a varnish?
2. If you use glossy varnish first, will it be matte if you put a matte varnish on top? I think it will still be rather glossy - which I usually do not like.
I don't think you can use binder as a varnish. (feel free to check other sources for this!)
In reply to your second question - yes! Some of my customers prefer a matte finish, so I first coat my paintings (with a brush) with glossy polymer Liquitex, and once that dries, I spray them with oil-based matte Liquitex. They end up matte. I do a couple of spray coats to give them an even finish, so no gloss shows through.
Can i do isolation coat with regular water based gloss varnish with brush from store for making decoupage,that's my mane question,(is this isolation coat done by regular gloss varnish,i mean,it's not something special named isolation coat,i'm a beginner of painting)and then do varnish LefrancBourgeois anti uv reversible mat?I want to make my piece to last hundreds of years😄
Or,can i first do isolation coat of satin spray(would it be enough shine)?
I love the way you say dirt
It's my accent, it follows me everywhere 😄