How to Varnish Your Acrylic Painting (Tutorial)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- Here's a fast and effective method to varnish your piece of art. I've used this method to varnish many paintings and it's proven to be very useful.
I use a lightly, lightly moist sponge to spread out the fluid varnish across the piece. It's about as easy as it gets.
Subscribe and comment below! Would love to hear from you and your experiences. Always looking out for new techniques!
THANK YOU ROY I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING STREAKS IN MY PAINTINGS. I LUV THE WAY YOU VARNISH IT. I AM CHANGING TO THIS WAY.💥💥💥💥💥
Hi Roy. I did a painting, which was a commission 1.5 x 1m. i was scared of varnishing it cause of the size. Then I watched one if your videos where you used a car sponge. So I plucked up the courage to try it. This was a great success. it was so quick and easy. I can't thank you enough. I used Liquitex high gloss. I have given it 3 coats, it looks great. I have now varnished all my paintings using this method. I did about 30 painting in a few minutes. Thank you again so much.
That is great! So glad to hear it worked out well for you. It is a super quick and effective method to varnish that's for sure. I really like this method!
You make vanishing a painting so easy. Thanks!!!
You, Sir, have just given me years of my life back. Varnish days are my very least favourite studio time. All the time I'll get back just in the hours of procrastinating! 😂 Thank you!
it's so much faster! I hope it helps.
Holy Christmas, I know you must get this all the time from this video but it’s outrageous how effective this method is! Just tried it myself and couldn’t believe how well the varnish took to the painting.
I was super intimidated to try it, but I’m amazed at how well it’s worked, you’re a lifesaver; thank you for this video Roy!
glad it helped! I always test on smaller canvases to experiment with first if I'm unsure how something is going to work. Too much drama otherwise!
Hi Roy. I had a very important commissioned piece that I had used a brush to varnish and it left streaks. My husband researched and found your TH-cam video. I went back over my painting 3 days later with a sponge and it not only got rid of the streaks but toned down the over glossy look. I cannot thank you enough for sharing your wisdom with all of us. You could have kept this to yourself but you didn’t. I have subscribed to your channel. Your work is amazing. My husband said to tell you “Bless You!”
All right! So glad it worked out well for you. Yeah, I went through a LOT of trial and error and messed up paintings until I figured out something that worked for me.
Thanks for the reply and for sharing this process. I did put a second coat. It made the process so much easier while protecting our paintings. As you said I just made sure I checked with good lighting.
Glad to come across someone else who likes satin varnish. Seems most varnishing videos use gloss.
Your method looks worth a try.
The struggle is real! Thanks for this info. It was a big relief when you said you previously got streaks. It's so easy to think your hand isn't steady enough. Your art is beautiful, too.
Thanks for the tip about pre-wetting the sponge, that's brilliant!!
thanks for watching! it keeps the sponge from auto-soaking all your varnish as well.
I have been so afraid to varnish and you just totally removed all that fear for me. Thank you for this video!
Great! hope it works out well for you!
I have always found varnishing to be intimidating. My favourite old method was to spray it on which does give a great finish, but the fumes are pretty wicked so I have to do it in my garage, which means I can't varnish over the winter because it is too cold. I have tried brushing on the liquid varnish (because it doesn't have the smell and I can do it indoors year round) but it is really hard not to get brush marks. I tried Roy's video method and it is stress (and fume)_ free. This is the method I will be using from now on. I use the Golden varnishes and they work fine with this method.
awesome, so glad it worked out for you!
Awesome! Howdo you clean your sponge please?
hey is the liquid varnish safe to use indoor is the smell strong?
It's nice to see someone who actually knows what they are talking about. Pre-wetting that sponge is critical.
Pop Art Murals I learn everything the hard way!
Didn't we all. I use a small frame, Medium nap, terry roller to varnish. And I pre-wet that sucker too.
Thank you so much for this information and demonstration. You’ve taken the fear out of varnishing! Great painting too! 🙏👏👍
Thanks! hope it helps out!
I use a very soft cloth, also making it wet before and no streaks whatsoever. Will try this method too
Do you think that a Microfiber cloth will work?
I love the text painting to use for reference. Thanks Roy.
I hope it helps, I keep it handy!
A Gibson Les Paul is a work of art in itself.
thanks!
Fantastic. Thx. And that guitar painting is super nice! 🙂
Thanks so much! I love your painting it has my favorite color in it.
I was so pleased with a recent painting only to leave behind brush marks after varnishing. I saw your video and tried the sponge with a 3rd coat and it smoothed it out. I'll definitely be using this method from now on! Thanks for the video!
So glad it worked out!
I will certainly try this. It makes a lot of sense. I have some spray as well for some pieces.
Thank you.,
Just about to have a go at varnishing my first painting - a bit scary- your video is very helpful and encouraging
yeah, my first varnish was a bit of a pooch screw, wish I knew this first!
Thank you so much! Never thought to use a sponge!
You're welcome, I hope it works for you!
I was skeptical about your method but I did a few trials, and am pleasently surprised with the results. The sponge works very well!
glad it worked!
Thank you for this. I used a different technique from a another TH-cam video. He said to use short brush strokes then go over with loner strokes for a second coat. You can still totally see the short strokes after the second layer. next time I'm doing this. It looks great! Thank you.
Thank you Roy for the tip on varnishing. I was terrified of attempting to varnish some work that I have because I didn't want to destroy it. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!!!!💯👊👏🙌😄
I was inclined to varnish a painting (for the first time) using a sponge, but every tutorial had brushes. Thanks for showing this paint-beginner that sponges can be used.
Love the guitar painting
SUPER SWEET 👍🎨🖌
Just about finish a commission, been delaying this process so I'm so glad I found your channel..Thanks for the smart tip!...:)
Okay......I feel much better after watching this video about varnishing my paint pour!! Thanks!
hope it helps!
@@roylawsart7456 of course i just tried, and it got tacky in one spot. I think it's because not enough varnish when I over the spot or maybe sponge wasn't saturated enough, maybe second coat will be better and fix problem areas. How many coats do you do? Still drying so hopefully this works out?!?!? Cross fingers (nervous face palm........LOL)
Thank you! I’m struggling with brush marks and uneven spray, this is brilliant.
SMART! Just started with Acrylics and used a brush for my semi-gloss varnish and felt there has to be a better way. I was thinking of foam brushes, but this is genius!
Thanks for posting this video Roy. I was worried about ruining a painting or getting brush strokes when varnishing. After watching your video, I was really impressed and this is the only technique I use to varnish my paintings.
This is awesome! Thank you so much. I'm very OCD so streaks drive me nuts. This technique will help so much. I have my first acrylic painting that I did with cheap dollar store paint that turned out really well. It is very matt looking, almost chalky and I can't wait to varnish it to get it glossy. Going to do it right now with your technique. I have since purchased professional paint and will use this technique on them as well. Beautiful painting.
Great! Hope it all works out for you, I do it like this all the time. And yeah, I think it's worth it to spring for the better supplies.
@@roylaws406 I just finished the first coat and it looks amazing. Thanks again from Nova Scotia.
Hi, could I ask, did you go straight in with the varnish? You see, I also have a painting that I recently completed and I used fairly cheap paint for this piece, and it's really the only thing stopping me from using this technique. I'm just a little worried that because of the quality of the paint, clouding might occur when using this technique and I really don't want to risk anything because it is quite a large piece. Did you do anything before applying the varnish using this technique?
Thanks for the demonstration Roy
Extremely happy to find your video, im crazyyy looking at the strokes of mine, i wish i could fix it with your method thank youuuu ✨🙏🏼
I know how you feel! I have several around here that have those old streaks on them.
Great Idea, I've been working much larger these days and have had so much difficulty varnishing large canvases. Wish I'd seen this sooner. I'm now trying to make a fix on one of my pieces from a varnish mess. Ahh.
Yeah, I was always worried about varnishing large pieces just because of the streaks. This really makes it fast and smooth.
Hey I know this video was filmed 5 years ago and more as a tutorial but i wanted to appreciate the painting :)). The colours are really nicely chosen, great job
Thank you very much! Even though it's been up for awhile, I still get comments on this one all the time. Glad you enjoyed!
THANK YOU! I've been struggling to find a way to not leave brush marks in varnish. This (finally) worked beautifully! THANK YOU AGAIN!
I feel your pain! Same for me!
This war really helpful, thanks a lot man!
No problem, thanks for watching!
Thank you for sharing this video! That is a beautiful painting!!
Thank you Roy! I hate using a brush because I get the streaks as well.
Love the painting!
Thanks for watching, I hope it helps!
I'll let you know ;-)
I was using the Liquitex Gloss Varnish on my acrylic pours, pouring it up in a glass and using a 70mm paint brush to coat, always getting to eye level with the painting to look for paint brush strokes, but after seeing this method being used, I’m going to begin doing that instead! 👌🏻
Great, I hope it works out!
Thanks Roy. I am about to gloss varnish my first commission of a large canvas and I was worried sick!
What kind of sponge do you use? What material? This is extremely helpful!
Thank you! Best advice ever. And I love your painting btw!
Amazing video and it works perfectly
Thank you
Love ot. You painted a guitar! Lovely
Thanks a million... every time I went to varnish the moment of anguish arrived because I couldn't make the brush strokes not visible and with your method they look spectacular... fast, without streaks and without bubbles, I'm very excited. The first painting didn't turn out so well but immediately after practice it's great, thanks for sharing your knowledge. How long can I keep the sponge in a plastic bag, should I wash it after several uses?
Thank you!...like your style and method
Beautiful painting! And thank you so much for this tutorial! I haven't seen anyone swirl the varnish before. I've seen some artists use a torch to pop air bubbles. Do you have any issues with air bubbles? Do you shake or stir the varnish before using? Thank you so much for sharing your art and your expertise!
Great video. I stuffed up an important painting with a brush. BTW I love your artwork.
if you re-varnish it, it might clean it up. I've had someone on here say they did that.
This seems a great system. I find I get mixed results brushing, so will try your method out!
Omg that painting is GORGEOUS! Nice video…very helpful!
Your painting is gorgeous!
Thank you for showing us how you varnish. I've used the small black sponge that has a wooden handle attached but I've found that I pour alot of varnish down on the canvas in order not to get streaks. I'm gonna try this way to see if I use less varnish.
thank you very much! I hope it works well for you!
Thanks hands down best technique I’ve tried. Thank you so much
Me too! Thanks for watching.
Hi Roy, so glad to see your tutorial today! I’ll definitely give it a try on my acrylic paintings. One question - after use, can the sponge be washed and cleaned for future use? Thanks for your tips ❤
of course! I've had the same one for quite a long time now.
Nice - I use a brush but I can see the brush marks - so this is great
Alexander P Williams glad it worked out!
Thank you so much for this. I varnished my first painting and I used a sponge brush as another video recommended and it has left horrible stroke marks. Thank you for making me feel like I can save my painting. I was beating myself up thinking I ruined it and therefore couldn’t sell it!
I hope it works out!
Great technique! Thanks, so much for sharing this with the world 🌎. Bless you...this will help countless artists like myself. 😃
Hey Nia, so glad you found this technique. I go through a lot of trial and error with a lot of things so I like helping people with shortcuts so they don't have to make the same mistakes I did!
You said you did a clear coat before varnishing? What did you use to clear coat and why? Thanks
Love the painting
Absolutely gorgeous!
Woo w colour collection is beautiful and music lovers painting dil chu liya yaar tumane bahut hi mast painting hai dil se.
Love it can’t beat experience. 😎😎
I absolutely LOVE your painting as well as your tutorial and tips! I was wondering how to properly varnish my second painting. This was the second video I watched. I’m thankful I found your method. I just subscribed to your Chanel based off the content of this video. Thanks again!!!
thank you so much! glad you enjoyed it!
Great idea, gonna try it. One question tho: what does “clear coat” mean, what product and app method do u use for that coat?
The spray I use is Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating 1303
Do i always have to spray clear coating first before i varnish my painting? Thanks.
Great idea. The coating is very nice. The painting is quite beautiful. Thank you for sharing. :)
Thanks Roy! A very huge help!
Roy, thanks for this, I'm new to varnishing and your video makes it easy, not so scary!! Don't think I missed you saying how many coats, would you do at least one more? Thanks!
If I'm lucky, I get it all correct on the first coat. But, sometimes it takes a couple to get everything even.
@@roylawsart7456 Excellent thankyou! 😊👍👍
I love that, will surely try this out for my paintings!!! Love your art skills! 👏👌
go for it!
Hi! Just wanted to say thanks for the tutorial :)
Thanks for watching!
Thank you, I will give it a good try as I have a monster frame!
good luck!
HI Roy, loved the knowledge that you shared! One question, I was wondering if this technique applies to other fluid acrylic varnishes such as polycrylic gloss?
Hi Roy Thank you for your video. I have never had the courage to varnish a painting yet but will give it a go after your video. One thing you mentioned is that you use pencil (Am I right in assuming these are the white lines I can see on the guitar?) What 'clear coat' do you use please over the pencil markings to fix? Many Thanks
It's Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic coating, it's to keep the pencil lines from smearing. You should practice on a test canvas first!
Nice Les Paul piece.
thanks!
Thank you Roy. It really helped out. Did you do more than one coat of varnish and if yes how long did you wait between coats? Much appreciated!
I've gotten to where I can usually get it correct the first time. But for years I've put a couple on there. Usually when it's dry you can put another on there so I'd wait like 30 minutes, even though really it's pretty dry after around 15. If it's very textured, I'll check it pretty often to make sure it's not pooling up anywhere because it'll get opaque if it's too thick in places.
Omg tha k you for your ip on the wet sponge!!! I'm always leaving streaks!
great! glad it helped!
This works amazingly ! Thank you, def don’t buy a cheap sponge . Question #1 , do you just use one sponge for each piece , or do you wash out the varnish ? I kept mine in a ziplock bag and rinsed -squeezed out the varnish and then re-wet the sponge before using again.
I haven’t found a easier method yet. Thank you ! Any tips on washing or throwing out after each use ? I kept finding small pieces of the sponge “just a heads up “ most of my pieces are very heavy textured and thick layers .
Oh, I've been using the same sponge forever now. I just rinse it out and keep using it over and over again. hard to find one I liked so I'm holding on to it!
I could see that this is the safest way to varnish your paintings. Cannot thank you enough ! In your replies you also mentioned that you rinse your sponge to keep it clean.....what do you use to rinse/clean?
just water, nothing fancy!
Love your art! Does this technique leave any whorl marks when dry?
Nope, it dries quite smoothly. When I did it with bushes it left streaks everywhere. Of course, if it's applied too thick it probably will. Thanks!
I wish I found this an hour ago! Lol. First, amazing painting! Second, thank you for sharing this technique! Very fast! Third, does the you're of sponge matter? Would this work just as well with a kitchen sponge?
ha! yeah, I wish I'd known this when I was starting out, would have saved a lot of grief. I think a kitchen sponge might be too porous and craggy (is that a word?) to apply smoothly. I like the real tight automotive sponges personally, seems to work best. I have a variety in a cabinet here and I only like like one of them.
OK as a beginner here that was easy and super fast! Just subscribed. However I have one question, I saw in some videos that they mix the varnish with a bit of water first but in yours you didn't. Does this apply to all varnishes?
Fantastic tutorial! Do you always do a clear coat before varnishing or did you use it only because of your pencil marks? Thanks!
that's just to keep the pencil marks. I discovered the hard way that they rub off if you don't!
@@roylaws406 This is my very first acrylic as I have always done pencil and watercolors. I have used a lot of pencil in this new acrylic painting. I have spent months on it. LOTS of detail. It is 8 feet by 24" high. I am afraid of the varnish taking off the pencil and very diluted acrylic paint that I have used. You talk of putting a clear coat on the painting first. I don't recall you giving any details about this initial clear coast that you use first to set the pencil in place
Just read about using a clear coating first. Sorry about that. I was asking if this has to be sprayed rather than using your big sponge? Do you still need to varnish after the clear coat?
Oh, my God, I'd love to see the Bohemian Rhapsody comic, which is in the background! Where can I find it? I have to google it right now.
You can see the whole process right here!
www.roylawsart.com/mural.html
@@roylawsart7456 thank you so much!!!
Thank you!
May i ask what clear coat you use for pencil marks?
Hi Roy, great video thanks, you mention spraying a clear coat on beforehand. Can you give a little more information about that please. What type of clear coat do you use and what is the drying time before varnishing etc. Thank you.
Thank you very much for the video!
you're welcome, thanks for watching!
Hi Roy, this is an amazingly helpful video, how wonderful that you are sharing your experience and knowledge. Based on this, I now have Liquitex varnish in hand and prepared to apply with the large automotive sponge. However, the one I purchased is blue, and it says it made of 100% polyurethane, Will this sponge work or do I need an all natural. Hope to hear your response asap so I can get started! Thank you so much.
Hmmm, I'm really not sure to be honest. I've never noticed what mine are made from, I usually just kind of go by how they feel. I have several here that I go between and have one that I like most of all.
@@roylaws5534 Hi Roy, thank you so much for responding. I did get my big girl pants on and try it out and it came out great. Did two coats, thin, waiting a day between. Looks wonderful, I can’t wait to deliver my first commission painting. It’s 36 x 48, so your technique made it all much easier, and took the fear away. Would love to share a pic of it! Thanks again.
Thank you Roy...that was just what I needed, I don't know how many brushes I have ruined varnishing...my only question is do you just throw the sponge away or what is your cleaning the sponge method...Thanks
hey there! I just wash it out in the sink and reuse it.
@@roylaws406 Thank You...How thick is your varnish...I just got a new bottle today and it seemed unusually thick, like maybe heavy cream...liquitex matte varnish...my first bottle was very watery...I don't want to ruin my painting...Thanks for your Guidance
@@karenleigh2786 should be ok. you can add water to thin it out. I'd test it out as is on a practice canvas first to see if it's to your liking.
@@roylaws406 Thanks so much for taking the time to answer, and I will do that...and I really appreciate your Guidance
Wow. Never seen this method before! So, one coat does it? Where do you get that type of sponge? The guitar is smashing! Well, we don’t really want to do that. 😅
Love this technique! Can you save the sponge in a plastic bag for subsequent coats or is it better to clean it completely between coats? Thanks.
Yeah, I have a big freezer bag that i'll put the sponge into between coats, does the trick just fine!
Great Information, thank you
Beautiful...and helpful...love ur painting bro... just one question that can varnish be directly applied on to acrylic painted canvas or is there a step in between
yep, directly! I put in a step because my paintings have pencil done over the paint, so I have to seal that first.
@@roylaws406 cool but since I don’t use pencil and it’s all acrylic therefore I don’t need to add that step right?
@@bharatbhandari7620 correct!
@@roylaws406 Thanks a lot you are very kind and responsive...keep up the good work bro
Beautiful work!
How many layers of varnish to you do? Can u please show the dried results after the varnish on the guitar painting?
Personally which acrylic paintings with a varnish finish have you experienced resemble an oil painting the best? Satin, Gloss or High Gloss?
Thanks for Sharing ❤️
By the way, Beautiful painting 👍🏾
Great info. So do you only use a big sponge so it doesn't streak? Thank you
Yep, just goes a lot faster using a bigger sponge I find. I'm all about making it as easy as possible!
I definitely want to try this! I wonder though - will texture in a painting cause trouble?
thank you so much for this video!
my only question was: do you have to shake the bottle prior to applying?
thanks and keep up the amazing work! ☺️
I do, just because I've noticed in old bottles it kinda settles at the bottom.