Hints, Tips & Techniques for Oil - Varnishes

Varnishes are used to protect the finished painting. Picture varnishes should be removable so that paintings can be cleaned when they have become dirty.

There are two important things to remember about varnishes:

• Do not varnish too early, even the thinnest oil painting should be allowed to dry for 6 months. A minimum of one month is required for thin Griffin alkyd paintings.

• Do not use varnishes as mediums, this would make the painting sensitive to solvent. An attempt to clean it in the future may remove the painting instead!

Types of varnishes
Varnishes are labelled ‘gloss’ and ‘matt’. However, there is a variety available made from different resins which provide relative levels of gloss, as many artists have their own personal preferences. Here are the most common choices:

• Dammar Varnish
• Artists’ Gloss Varnish
• ConservArt Gloss Varnish
• Artists’ Matt Varnish
• Artists’ Original Matt Varnish
• Wax Varnish
  

Artists’ Gloss & Artists’ Original Matt and ConservArt Gloss & Artists’ Matt
can be mixed to provide varying degrees of satin.

Click here to see our complete range of varnishes.

How to apply Conserv-Art Gloss Varnish

1. Do not apply until the painting has been dry at least six months. If you wish to varnish before this, use a light coating of Retouching Varnish.
   
   
2. If necessary remove any dust from the surface of the painting with a soft duster.
   
   
3. Varnish in a warm, dry, dust and draught-free room, ideally keeping the painting and all materials to be used in the same room for several hours before varnishing to avoid condensation.
   
   
4. Place the painting in a horizontal position and pour the varnish into a shallow dish.
   
   
5. Using a flat varnishing brush, such as a W&N Monarch 1" glazing brush, or a good quality flat housepainters brush, and overlapping strokes, apply a thin even coat over the picture.
   
   
6. Thinning the varnish before application is not normally necessary, but if desired a little Artists White (Mineral) Spirit may be added. This will simply give a thinner final coat approaching a retouching varnish.
   
   
7. The varnish dries simply by the evaporation of solvent and, depending on the temperature, this should take a few hours to achieve a touch dry surface.
   
   
8. If necessary - e.g. if the gloss is insufficient or uneven - a second thin coat of varnish can be applied in the same way after 24 hours. 
   
   
9. Clean brushes and equipment with white spirit (mineral spirit) 

You may also want to see our Frequently Asked Questions on Varnishes for more information.

Or read an article on How to Varnish Paintings.