Technique question - varnishing

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan McPhillips on May 6, 2008 at 10:59am

Julie,
Have you tried spray varnish? I use it occasionally to get an even sheen across the surface.
I think most would say brushing on is better, but maybe you could get a more even application with the spray.
Jon

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Permalink Reply by Brian Larkin on May 7, 2008 at 3:58pm

Golden products puts out a variety of polymer varnishes for acrylics. I've had good results with a matte and/or satin finish. It is cut with up to 50% water and brushed on. The whole line is available at Jerry's in Providence.

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Permalink Reply by SusiFranco on May 7, 2008 at 4:25pm

Hi there-
I would suggest using a (canned)spray product for your acrylics, such as Krylon. Be careful not to buy a high gloss coating, unless that's what you want. It is archival, protects against UV rays and other buggers. Works really well. You can also buy the same spray fixative that pastelists use, it will protect your work nicely.
Hope this helps !
Best Regards, Susi Franco www.SusiFranco.com

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Permalink Reply by Julie Beck on May 7, 2008 at 6:49pm

wow that surprises me! I assumed the spray varnish would be frowned upon...but I guess not! I think I'll get some and do a test to see if it works for me. I normally use a gloss, just not a high gloss. Thanks for you input everyone!

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Permalink Reply by Melanie Ducharme on May 8, 2008 at 1:30pm

I use a sea sponge with Utretch's Artist Acrylic Medium gloss gel which give it a varnish-like finish. I've used varnish in the past and I don't like the spray kind, I like the kind you have to apply with a brush or sponge. I find I get a better finish using the sponge, because the brush can sometimes be streaky.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Eggleton on June 10, 2008 at 9:55pm

I usually find that Spray varnish works best for Acrylics. Crystal Clear by Krylon for instance. The liquid stuff can be tricky-the really stinky smelly stuff but can be brushed on with a house paint brush, but it requires a day of dry time in a ventilated dry area and no dust or humidity. The gloss varnish that's water based is really a kind of floor wax/polish, and I have had issues with it getting "sticky" and staying that way for some time.

I gave up on those and went with the Spray varnishes. Even Kamar Varnish which is made for oils works well on Acrylics. The spray varnishes set up faster so AND, you get an even coat and it doesn't cloud up like the water based ones do( if you dillute them too much) or take the time those do to set up.

Bob E

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Permalink Reply by Thushara on July 22, 2008 at 8:54am

A very good job,sometimes for people this is very useful,because you can do it the way you want.
..........................
Thushara
Addiction Recovery Rhode Island

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Permalink Reply by Susan Paradise-Burke on September 15, 2009 at 3:09pm

Hi Julie,

I've just recently discovered my passion for acrylic painting (abstract is my choice) and was wondering what the best choice was to varnish as well. I'm currently using a spray sealer, both matte and gloss depending on the look of the finished piece, but am concerned with the health and safety hazards of using them. I currently wait for a calm, sunny, low humidity day to spray outdoors. With these conditions I'm able to get a very consistent cover.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Beck on September 21, 2009 at 10:51am

if anyone still has issues varnishing their acrylic paintings, id be more than happy to share my technique...i've done the whole trial and error thing and am now super happy with my results

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